From:Flynn, James T. ETC [IMCEAEX-_O=USCG_OU=HEALY_CN=RECIPIENTS_CN=JFLYNN@pacd13cutters.uscg.mil]
Sent:Thursday, January 11, 2001 10:26 AM
To:rvtec@diu.cms.udel.edu
Subject:spare parts kit
Here on the CGC Healy, we're gearing up for our first science mission. Being new to the science community (my first icebreaker), I'm sort of at a disadvantage as far as knowing what is needed to outfit the cutter (O.K., call me "green"). What I'm asking the RVTEC group for is a list of spare parts you'd likely carry with you on science missions, things that most likely would be needed when the ship is 30 days from nowhere and the scientists are starting to pull hair... i.e. resistors, potentiometers, caps, nuts, bolts, etc. I'm hoping to at least be somewhat prepared when we head out of here in June. Any input is appreciated! (With the exception of "shallow water sailor" or "puddle jumper" jokes.)
Thanks in advance,
ETC James T. Flynn
USCGC Healy (WAGB-20)
FPO AP 96667-3918
(206) 217-6300
Inmarsat: 011-874-330390-221 Fax: 223
mailto:jflynn@PACD13cutters.uscg.mil
"I have not lost my mind - it's backed up on disk somewhere."
From:Bruce A. Huber [bhuber@ldeo.columbia.edu]
Sent:Thursday, January 11, 2001 12:20 PM
To:jflynn@PACD13cutters.uscg.mil; rvtec@diu.cms.udel.edu
Subject:Re: spare parts kit
Lots of good advice - perhaps this should be put on the rvtech web site somewhere.
Don't forget fuses, silicone grease, wipes, alcohol, swabs, stuff for watertight splices, various computer connectors and adaptors, spare power cords (funny how those things disappear...), shrink tubing, tie wraps (almost as important as duct tape, especially at high latitudes where duct tape can complain) a couple of cheap DC power supplies, an assortment of o-rings can be useful. We also seem to be always running out of alkaline batteries, and at least one older computer's cmos battery dies during a cruise. Even in high latitudes, a couple of small fans can come in handy too, especially in an overcrowded lab full of gear, or for a misbehaving autosal.
Bruce Huber
From:Marc Willis [willis@oce.orst.edu]
Sent:Thursday, January 11, 2001 11:33 AM
To:JFLYNN@pacd13cutters.uscg.mil
Cc:rvtec@diu.cms.udel.edu
Subject:Re: spare parts kit
Jim,
As an ET, it is rare (but not out-of-the-question) that you or your guys will be involved in supplying component-level spares to scientists. HOWEVER, you may be called on to help with troubleshooting and/or repairing scientific equipment. One always hopes the the scientists have brought enough board-level spares to keep most of the electronics running, but may need some help with figuring out what happened. I expect that it will not be unusual for your ETs, MSTs, Electricians and Engineers to be involved at some point in solving problems that the scientists are having with their equipment.
It is probably impossible to give you a detailed list of spares to carry "just in case." My best suggestion is that you take a wide variety of component-level spares, including some of the common ICs and do what you can. Chances are that if you've got enough spares for your shipboard electronics, you've got the stuff that the scientists might need. A good supply of hardware (like machine screws, #6,8,10,12, and stainless hardware in common sizes, 1/4-20,3/8", 1/2") for those times when you are inventing on the fly. A *really* good stock of hose clamps in various sizes is invaluable. It would be good for you to consult with the MSTs and Engineering staff to make sure you aren't duplicating their spares, or if there's something they can think of. As Norm said in his note, it's the plastic stuff that always gets it in the cold. On WECOMA, we usually carry a supply of PVC plate (1/8", 1/4", 1/2"), and neoprene sheets in various thicknesses "just in case." Your MSTs may have already thought of this. You'll undoubtedly find yourself using basic components and parts for things you never imagined. My limited experience in high-latitute oceanography is that something weird is bound to happen.
Good luck, and don't forget the Handyman's Secret Weapon: DUCT TAPE!
Marc Willis
OSU
From:John Diebold [marscico@ldeo.columbia.edu]
Sent:Thursday, January 11, 2001 11:15 AM
To:Flynn, James T. ETC
Cc:rvtec@diu.cms.udel.edu
Subject:Re: spare parts kit
Jim;
Along with a sense of humor, don't forget the duct tape!
- and the obvious stuff; expendables for recorders and plotters, a couple of spare PCs, keyboards, mice, etc, coax, BNC connectors and terminations, a good selection of stainless steel hardware, lots of plywood and unistrut and unistrut fittings, screweyes and bungee cord for securing temporary gear on benches.
And never throw anything away. In ten years, you'll have accumulated everything you nead now.
John
From:Norman A Andresen [andresen@umich.edu]
Sent:Thursday, January 11, 2001 10:41 AM
To:Flynn, James T. ETC
Cc:rvtec@diu.cms.udel.edu
Subject:Re: spare parts kit
Dear Jim:
Many years ago I did work in extremely cold weather and my office mate did his dissertation work in the Antarctic. Our guide was 'you never know how cold is going to affect you instuments'. Duplicate as much as you can, especially plastic parts which may be subject to even slight shock. In my case it was a piece of monofilimant nylon making a sharp bend through a drilled hole. The drilled edge acted like a knife and the filiment broke at the slightest jar. In good weather this wasn't even a problem. Cheers,
Norman Andresen
Center for Great Lakes & Aquatic Sciences CompuServe: 70721,2564
University of Michigan
737 Dennison
501 East University Telephone: 734-647-2734
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1090 FAX: 734-647-2748
E-Mail: andresen@umich.edu
From:Jon Alberts [jalberts@whoi.edu]
Sent:Thursday, January 11, 2001 10:46 AM
To:Flynn, James T. ETC
Cc:rvtec@diu.cms.udel.edu
Subject:Re: spare parts kit
Jim-
Most important spare part: Sense of Humor
Jon Alberts
WHOI
From:Dale Chayes [dale@ldeo.columbia.edu]
Sent:Thursday, January 11, 2001 12:00 PM
To:rvtec@diu.cms.udel.edu
Subject:Re: spare parts & REFERENCE Material
"Flynn, James T. ETC" wrote:
>
> Here on the CGC Healy, we're gearing up for our first science mission....
Two long cruises on the submarine hammered this one home to me. In the well connected era, when you have an arcane technical question, it hasn't been such a big deal, you just fire off an email and get an answer the next day. However, unless you've got new, better high latitude comms than I'm currently aware of, that isn't likely to work all the time so you better be sure you've got the stuff on board to find the answers in.
John D. provided a fairly good starting list for "fixing" things. When that doesn't work or when your' inspired to make something to solve the problem (or work around it) be sure that you have lots of good reference material for the repairers and re-engineerers. When time comes to improvise, there will be lots of ideas (and perhaps time). Among other things, you will be limited by:
- your imaginations,
- your "group" ability to interact and work together,
- the materials ("spares") on hand (including perf board, connectors, components, including tacky descrete stuff like power transistors, inductors, percision resistors, fasteners, LEDs, capacitors, etc). A good inventory system (hopless but a nice dream) would let you actually find the stuff without tearing the ship apart.
- the tools (particularly the esoteric ones for all the new and interesting screw heads like secure-Torx and the machine tools and raw
materials to make stuff,
- Good reliable, calibrated test equipment. From sleuthing around in your SeaBeam, it seemed like most of it was there somewhere so I don't think that's a big problem but it's common to come up short on scope probes, adapters, attenuators, and the like, the things that seem to evaporate over time but are just a cruical as the instruments.
AND:
- fundamental info (manuals, software (source code), compilers, formulas, coeficients, pinouts, etc.) to fill in the blanks and stimulate the imagination when you can't get answers from "shore".
With regard to the manuals, be sure you get the service manuals, not just the ones claim to explain how to run the thing and then provide an 800 number to call (which won't work over INMARSAT) when you want a service person to come to fix your thing.) To the extent that they are available for each device/instrument that can't be spared on board, you should try to get real service manuals.
For starters,
A collection of CRC handbooks (Physics, Chemistry,....)
The Art of Electronics (Horowitz and Hill)
Principles of Underwater Sound (Urick)
Unix power tools (Peek, O'Reilly, et. al.)
Reference Data for Radio Engineers (Jordon)
Numerical Recipes (in C at least) (press, Flannery, Teukolsky,Vettering, etc.)
Internetworking (Comer) three volumes.
Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers (Marks)
Machinery Handbook (?)
Forumulas for Stress and Strain (Roark and Young)
Fundamental Algorithims (Knuth), three volumes
Electronics component data books (the real books, on CD is okay) but
simple cross reference guides don't cut it.
Some good PO/ChemO/BioO references (anyone care to add?)
Some basic Geophysics/Geology references (?)
You can see my biases in these books. I'm sure that others will add their views.
Some of these books will walk.You don't want to lock them up 'cause that really limits their usefulness so you will have to inventory them to be sure copies are actually on the ship.
Oh yea, don't forget lots of high quality black tape (Scotch 88 and 23),
-Dale
| Back to Top of Page | Back to Questions Page | Back To Topics Page |