EBEX00: power Messages: 5 Entries..

I just swapped the 220 VAC tap for Wim from site 8 to site 7.  I also took
this opportunity to make 2 110 VAC taps from the transformer at site 7.
It is now configured:

Site 8:
X3-N  110 VAC power to ASTER power distribution box

Site 7:
X1-X2  220 VAC power to ASTER AC breakout box (for Wim)
X1-N   110 VAC power socket for daisy power distrib. to be plugged into soon
X3-N   110 VAC power to chem shelter, including air conditioner, auxiliary
       power distribution box (by Psyc. profile), and +24VDC supply.
       daisy is now also connected to this using a normal extension cord
       to the line conditioner outlets, but will be changed in the conversion
       to ops2.

We blew the 20A breaker to the entire tower array. Thus, I've checked a few
things now that we are close to the final configuration:

Sites 8 and 9 together draw ~8A @220
Site 7 breaks down to:
- Air conditioner (on low cool, after initial surge of >15A): 6-7A @110
- Cup & Psyc power supplies & light bulb: 1A @110
- Dutch data system, etc.: 1A @220
- daisy & power supply (TECA alone: 4A @110): 5A @110
Total: ~7.5A @220

Grand total ~16A @220.  
(Measured out of trailer: 18A, thus the cable and transformer must represent 
a 10% loss.)

This is less than, but pretty close to, the 20A breaker rating!
The main xfmr has breakers to each of the sites:
7 - 15A
8 - 20A
9 - 15A?
Thus, none of these are being exceeded individually.

I don't know how to reduce the load at this point, without sacrificing something
important.

After having the 20A,220 array breaker blow again, we decided to replace
it with a 30A size.  The 8kVA transformer can handle >33 according to
Kurt and the distribution cabling is 8Ga. to there and 10Ga. from there.
We had been running too close to the edge and the increased inefficiencies
due to the heat and investigators periodically plugging in new loads
push us over the edge.  The 2nd breaker pop occurred in conjunction
with the trailer air conditioning coming on; no doubt sagging the voltage
to the array, and thus more current.

Wed, 8/2 Fuse blown:
In the main array 8kVA distribution transformer's LEA/Dynatech Surge Arrestor.
It is a 30A,125V fuse which is on one of the 2 legs of the 220 input.
The load to the #7 array includes the air-conditioner and it is possible
that caused the failure.   There is likely an imbalance on the 2 legs
which has not been fully measured.
The fuse was replaced and the power came back up apparently without problems.

Wed 8/2
Dave Vaughn has been given a 220VAC tap on the 2.5kVA transformer
serving site-9/Marigold.  He provided a step-down transformers
and the Romex.
He had attempted to run it using 2 solar panels and 5 batteries
without really knowing what his load actually is.
At the moment he reports 3A at 110VAC for 3 separate pumps;
presumably not all on the same leg.  He has not finished configuring
his equipment yet.

To reduce some of our power problems, we've rerouted power to have all of
s9 connected directly to the second 220VAC outlet on the PAM base, and
not to the 8 KVA transformer near s8.  Our load should now be:

s7: 8A @ 220VAC operating, 13+A when A/C starts.  On 30A circuit shared with
    s8, through 15A breaker at 8KVA xfrmr

s8: 3A @ 220VAC.  On 30A circuit shared with s7, through 20?A breaker at 8KVA
    xfrmr

s9: 4?A @220VAC.  On 20A circuit also supplying s10.

s10: ~3A @220VAC.

P.S. Outages and brownouts throughout the Calif. power grid have made 
national news over the last few days associated with high temperatures.
Thus, some of our problems may be outside our control (though the UPS
in the base hasn't shown any alarms.)

PPS: I accidentally shutdown the UPS simply by connecting the Toughbook
to the DB9 connector on the back.  This shouldn't have happened!