Interrogation Site Metadata

Partially: Downstream Array working, Upstream is not.  Inside the DC interface box, the MC power cable 5amp fuse was blown. Replaced fuse, but MC would only work with one array plugged in.

Power Failure - Master Controller will not power on.

Replaced batteries and have both upstream and downstream arrays now fully functioning. 

Installed replacement batteries - downstream array currently running, upstream array is not running. 

Site down due to theft of AGM batteries inside locked Knaack.

Replaced old stout Antenna 07 with new HDPE antenna during Biomark O&M trip, which brought 07 current from 2.5 amps to 4.1

Site Upgrades: March 27, 2023. Replaced the former four 105 Ah deep cycle batteries with eight AGM batteries of 100Ah each, connected first in series and then in parallel, for a total 200Ah capacity, which increased reserve power from 1.5 hours to 4 hours. Site Voltage also increased by 1.5V as a result. Installed new Biomark battery switcher.

Site Up: November 1st, 2022 at 16:30 PST, failed batteries replaced with four 105 Ah Deep Cycle Batteries

Site temporarily down due to battery failure- last interrogation file submitted October 17th, 2022 at 16:30 PST

Site visit to battery storage location (Water Survey of Canada shed). Visually inspected cabling and for potential blown fuses. Voltage tested batteries - all were providing ~13.5V. No obvious issues. Current at Antenna 07 had been continuously dropping for months since the node on Antenna 03 was replaced. The past year, Antenna 03 and 07 had been oppositely dropping current concomitant of one another (ie. when 03 loses current, 07 gains current, then 07 loses current and 03 gains current). Immediately after the site visit, Antenna 07 regained current and has not dropped since. This relationship between 03 and 07 appeared to have seasonal influences, therefore close monitoring will be necessary in 2022. 

Actions Taken:

• Removed Node 3 and associated cabling (23), and installed new Node & Cabling (24).
• Used mask and snorkel, with low flows (6-7 cms)/

Observations:

• Node 4 canbus male ground pin is highly corroded, with corrosion increasing on other pins
• New Node 3 canbus Collar would not seal with Node 2 collar. Installed on Nov 24^th and returned Nov 26^th to ensure better connection. Ground pin on new node beginning to corrode after 2 days exposed to water. Previous Node 3 pins do not display any signs of corrosion.
• When powering site back up, Antennas 1, 2 & 3 displayed differences in their connections to MC (ie. Not in Tune, Not Connected, Not in Sequence); although eventually connected.
• Hours later, Antenna 3 lost current again, as was previously happening.

Staff troubleshot with Biomark, and met with Water Survey of Canada to inquire regarding recent power surges at the WSC Station immediately upstream where the MC Batteries are stored. 

Next Steps:

• Inspect nodes 7 and 8 for corroded canbus male ground pins. Observed interesting patterns with Node 3 and 7 noise and current over past year, thoughts of power issues related to malfunction of antennas (Althought 7 has been working this summer).
• Issue: Downstream antenna receivers are encapsulated in concrete casing (including cabling and nodes).
• Send Node 3 and 4 corroded pins back to Biomark for repair – This means removing both nodes from system. #4 is connected directly to MC – Therefore Antennas 1 & 2 will not be connected during this work.
• Inspect other canbus connections on site. Send any other corroded nodes back to BIomark.
• Check each connection is super tight

Biomark believes Node 4 corrosion likely due to loose connection, as exposed pins will arc in water. However; canbus connection from Node 4 male to Female 3 was secure, and was corroded upon opening.

Cleared Debris and Milfoil on and around all upstream and downstream antennas. 

Maintenance Check at OKC. Antenna 03 is currently down. Conducted visual inspection and could not find any obvious issues. Likely faulty antenna as it has zero current. Biomark will be manually logging into master controller and tune the antenna while the sockeye are moving through (only during regular work days & hours). This is a mitigation measure for the current season but will need to be removed and replaced or repaired in future.  Also conducted a read range test with test tags. Read range was lower for upstream antennas 01-04.  Antennas 01-04 have higher noise which may be affecting the reduced read range; this is likely due to the proximity to the upstream VDS and the vehicle bridge over the VDS.