Instrumentation Update No. 16 To: "E - All WRD Employees" Subject: Instrumentation Update No. 16 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Tue, 13 Feb 1996 11:39:02 -0600 From: "Dorothy E Greenwood, Secretary (Steno), Bay St. Louis, MS" February 13, 1996 Memorandum To: All WRD Employees From: Acting Chief, Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility Subject: OPM--Priority Instrumentation and Test Project Update: Activity Status No. 16 Following is a summary of instrumentation projects assigned for responsibility and execution to the Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF) by the Instrumentation Committee (ICOM). Project sequence corresponds to the priorities recommended by the Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee (ITAS) and approved by the ICOM. Additional priority projects have been assigned to other Water Resources Division (WRD) offices and will be reported at a later date. We welcome your comments, suggestions, questions, or interest in participation. Any questions concerning the listed projects should be directed to Sammy Wilbourn, HIF Field Coordinator (WILBOURN) at 601-688-1555, Jim Jelinski (JELINSKI) at 601-688-1547, or Doreen Tai (DYTAI) at 601-688-1518. PLEASE NOTE: Due to personnel changes/retirements at the HIF, progress on all mechanical engineering projects has been delayed. SOUNDING-LINE/TAG-LINE RELEASE OR SHEARING DEVICES -- OSW has reviewed the engineering model of the A-reel drag brake and suggested changes that will require substantial redesign of the unit. We plan to investigate the changes and, assuming they are feasible, incorporate them into the design of the drag brake and prepare new preliminary drawings. A preliminary design of an assembly to mount a commercial hammer-driven cable cutter to the boat outfit, to cut the boat tagline in an emergency situation, has been completed. We plan to review the preliminary design with OSW and build an engineering model. PYGMY CAT WHISKER REPLACEMENT -- We plan to present a proposal at the May ICOM meeting to study the feasibility of installing a magnetic switch closure in the Pygmy meter. If feasible, the magnetic switch will provide a cleaner electrical output signal from the pygmy meter, making it more suitable for use with electronic counters. SAND POINT CABLECAR BRAKE -- Four aluminum-version Sand-Point-style cablecar brakes are undergoing field testing. Initial reports are that the brakes are working well. A contract to fabricate 25 brakes for initial warehouse stock has been awarded. We expect to have the 25 initial stock available for sale by April 1, 1996. ONE-STOP SHOPPING -- This is a project to create an on-line computerized ordering system, so that people could go to a single on-line location to order equipment from HIF, FISP, the Ocala lab, or the NWQL. (This project has been deferred to FY97). PLASTIC BUCKET WHEELS -- This is a project to build a plastic bucket wheel for the Price AA meter that would closely conform to the performance of the present metal bucket wheel. Plans are to submit a proposal for a feasibility study to the ICOM at the May meeting. ANALYSIS OF CABLECAR LOAD-BEARING CAPACITY -- A stress analysis of the USGS stand-up cablecar has shown a potential for compression failure of the upper struts due to excessive cable tension of the type that occurs when submerged equipment is snagged. A preliminary design for stronger upper struts has been completed, and arrangements have been made to test the redesigned struts. We plan to fabricate a set of struts for testing. IMPROVED CONOFLOW SYSTEMS -- Three models of conoflow systems have been selected for the laboratory test; 1) Dry Bubbler system, Model HS-23, Hydrological Services PTY.LTD; 2) Water-log Series Model H355, Design Analysis Associates, Inc.; 3) SafePurge Hydrologic Purge Gas-Controls, Fluid Data Systems. The test plan was presented at the December Surface Water Instrument Group (SWIG) meeting at HIF. The laboratory work has been initiated. CONTINUOUS QW MONITOR ALTERNATIVE -- Conductivity/Temperature - Ten units of newly constructed HIF conductivity probes have been tested and the test report has been published in the September issue of the WRD Instrument News. More tests have been done on the measurements of the low conductance water. The report will be issued through Email and the March issue of the WRD Instrument News. HIF's conductivity probes can be used for the measurements of water with conductance above 200 uS/cm. Field tests of YSI 6000 and Hydrolab Reporter were terminated in November, 1995. All data will be reviewed and a report will be prepared. SUBMERSIBLE PRESSURE SENSORS -- Standpipe testing of 5 units of DAA H310, 2 units of Sensotec LL-V/7304-01, 2 units of T-Hydronics TH-LD and 2 units of Rittmeyer MPSDIT.010 have been completed. A report has been prepared and will be published through Email and the next issue of the WRD Instrument News. Field test of Hydrologic LPN8/3CD has been completed and data analysis is in progress. Geogard submersible pressure sensors. These sensors have been tested in the standpipe system, data are reviewed and preparation of the report is in progress. Campbell Scientific DB1 - Tests of these units in the standpipe system will be completed in mid-February and a report will be prepared. ALTERNATIVES FOR MERCURY MANOMETER REPLACEMENT -- A number of projects are underway to provide replacements for the manometer. This is a general continuing report. ACCUBAR PRESSURE SENSORS -- Lab test of Accubar-3 has been completed. Preparation of the lab test report is in progress. Field tests of Accubar-3 have been terminated and lab evaluation of the possible drift will be performed. A project of "ACCELERATED AGING TEST" for the Accubar-3 has been created. A test plan is being prepared and lab work has been initiated. DESIGN ANALYSIS ASSOCIATES (DAA)-- Field test of Four units of DAA H350 is in progress. The initial field test data indicate good results. Five units of DAA H350 LITE have been received. However, the lab test has been delayed due to the urgency test of Sutron 8400 and malfunction of the pressure standard equipment. The test of H350 Lite will resume in mid-February. SETRA 470 HPS -- Three units have been sent out for field testing. Another test site is needed for the fourth unit to be tested. RITTMEYER PRESSURE SENSOR -- The manufacturer has modified the instruments and re-submitted for testing. ELECTRONIC PROCESSING FOR DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS (EPDM) -- A functional requirements document for an instrument that supports electronic processing of discharge measurements has been completed and distributed for review. JBS Instruments is now updating the software to comply with the USGS requirements. The work will be completed in mid-March. HIF is planning to purchase 2 units for testing. The laboratory test plan is being prepared. LEAD WEIGHT REPLACEMENT--WELL SOUNDING -- Information has been collected on various well-tape weight configurations as used by field personnel, as well as information on various materials which are used or have been proposed for use as well-tape weights. A draft technical information sheet was written and sent out for colleague review. At the direction of ICOM, this project was then turned over to the Office of Ground Water. REGULATOR/CHARGER ALTERNATIVE -- A market search for a commercial regulator- charger showed that no single unit met all of the USGS requirements. A circuit for the regulator-charger has been designed and parts are being purchased to build an engineering model. GROUND FAULT INTERRUPTER RESET -- A feasibility model of a surge-protected ground-fault interrupter (GFI) system is being tested by the Ohio district. Results so far indicate a reduction in the number of false tripping of the GFI. Five engineering models are being fabricated for evaluation at additional sites. Next step is to determine additional test sites where lightning and transients are causing equipment shutdowns. EVALUATION OF REPLACEMENT FOR JACK AND HEINTZ (J&H) POWER UNIT -- A power unit, J&H model 445 from Rickly Hydrological Co. has been selected for the possible replacement for HIF's present unit which is J&H model 950R. A comparison study of these motors has been planned on the efficiency and the power consumption with various loads. SUTRON 8400 DIGITAL DATA RECORDER - Lab tests of 4 units have been completed and the report has been released through EMail and next issue of the WRD Instrument News. HIF has already rented 100 units and has over 100 backorders from the field. HIF is awaiting delivery of more than 150 units from the manufacturer. LARC INTERFACE DEVICE (LID) -- The manufacturer has been late with delivery; however, units are expected by mid-February 1996. We still estimate they will be available for use by April 1996. Frank S. Henry