MDM Trouble Report for 2002 Dec 4

Telescope: 2.4m
Observer(s): Burke (OSU)
Instrument: 8K

Problem(s) Encountered:
While following target to higher airmass lost communication with 2nd time/util board after reading out exposure.  Cycling power on instrument did not bring back communication with 2nd board.  Noticed LED on slave PCI card in back of vesuvius was not illuminated.  Restarting vesuvius did not help.  Slave board in vesuvius still would not illuminate.  Slewed to zenith and shutdown.  Noticed slave board LED in back of vesuvius was now illuminated.  Cycling power on instrument brought back communication with 2nd board, and instrument fully functional.  Attempted to recreate problem.  Did several slews to the West.  Once z>1.4 
unsolicited garbage from 2nd
appears in detcom, and communication is lost to 2nd board.
It seems the fiber cables get  short  when telescope is at z>1.4 in west.  Didn't try in the east at high airmass.  Target and testing was done at +32 dec.  The science goals require the instrument to work at these high airmasses!  We need to observe our target as long as possible. 

------------------------------

Submitted on 2002 Dec 4 [6:38:49]