[ARTS] Trust diagnostics, beware of battery polarity

[Johnny]

As my bird was on the tower I was getting ready to save ARTS telemetry and 
GPS data on my laptop when
my laptop kept telling me the USB device was malfunctioning. Couldn't quite 
figure out what the problem was
so I had to just fly without any data. When I got home I used my other USB 
to serial adapter cable and the
laptop connected just fine. Looks like the USB to serial adapter I was using 
at the field was faulty somehow,
doouuugh. I am not sure if the DB9 connector on the adapter cable had a pin 
loose contact or something.

THX, John

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bruce E. Harris" <beharri at speakeasy.net>
To: "ARTS" <arts at lokiresearch.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2008 6:21 PM
Subject: [ARTS] Trust diagnostics, beware of battery polarity


>I just got back from our Red Glare launch and learned a valuble lesson.
> Trust diagnostics, double check polarity of BOTH batteries.
>
> Fortunately I did not have to learn by accident--disaster averted, but
> an important lesson learned none the less.
>
> When I first turned on my ARTS II it gave me an odd sound. I had live
> charges in place for a continuity test, then wire short, then open. The
> sound was the same all three time. I at first thought, "Oh, its just
> acting stupid" and almost flew anyway. Then I wised up and started
> checking everything. To my surprise one battery's polarity was
> backwards. When I put it right, the beeps were correct.
>
> I know, I know. Beware of polarity, and warning all over the manual. But
> I was in a rush. Trusting the continuity test saved my bacon, er rocket,
> well sort of. The recovery system worked properly, but my rocket got
> treed. I know where it is, even saw it, and pointed it out to our
> resident "Rocket Recovery Expert". I should get it back soon.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Bruce
>
>
> -- 
>
> Bruce E. Harris, MSgt, USAF, ret.
> TRA #10564 L2
> MDRA flying member
> "If it ain't broke, your not trying" Red Green
>
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