MDM Trouble Report for 2013 Apr 07

Telescope: 1.3m
Observer(s): Jules Halpern, Miao Li (Columbia)
Instrument: Templeton

Problem(s) Encountered:
Problem with the liquid nitrogen again.  When starting to roll
the full tank, the fill assembly popped out explosively, enveloping
me in a shower of nitrogen and a cloud of vapor.  It's the one
with the red lever.  (The yellow one is the one that loosened
gently on Friday.) There was no injury, due to the safety
cable being attached, although I did realize after a few seconds 
that I should strip off my jacket.  That safety cable is very
important, and should be brought to the attention of the
observers.  
 
There is still plenty of nitrogen here, but I think that both of the 
rubber corks that we use are losing their friction, which is the
only thing that holds them in the neck of the tank.  Tony called
to see if he could help, but at this point there was no need.
There is still plenty of nitrogen here, but I can't seem
to tighten the corks enough to prevent them from blowing out.

We didn't fill templeton in the morning, as this is the end
of the run.  The next user would like to have the R4K.


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Submitted on 2013 Apr 8 [5:33:39]