Basic Info

TimL is using a thermal chamber to test the insulative properties of the structure.  Dry ice might work just as well, but what good is having a thermal chamber if you don't use it for stuff like this?

The thermal chamber is a TestEquity Model 140 that is complete overkill for this project.  It even has a programmable temperature controller that could be used to, for example, run the standard atmosphere model to simulate ascent.  But for now, it will just be used to dwell at high-altitude temperatures.

No Touchy:

• Do not touch the limit controller on the front of the thermal chamber
• Do not adjust the regulator on the N2 bottle
• Leave the power switch on

Payload Testing

1. fire up electronics
2. check that the electronic bits are functioning
3. put payload in thermal chamber
4. route thermistor wire from inside payload box, through foam plug on side of chamber, to red digital thermometer
5. verify thermistor & thermometer are reading room temperature
6. close the door
7. open the valve on the N2 bottle
8. on the thermal chamber controller, select "Digital Out" then "Event Output 1" then "On" then "Next" -- this turns on the N2 purge, which prevents the moisture in the air from icing up the inside of the chamber
9. go back to the main menu and select "SP1" and set to -23 C
10. flip the Temp button on.  The temperature will start to drop
11. check the small N2 regulator on the side of the chamber and make sure it's at "2"
12. once temperature stabilizes at -23 C, note thermometer reading
13. dwell for 1 hour
14. note internal temperature (thermometer reading) again
15. lower temperature to -50 C
16. note internal temperature again
17. dwell for another hour
18. note internal temperature again
19. set "SP1" to +23 C to return chamber to room temperature
20. set "Digital Out" - "Event Output 1" to "Off" once temperature > +15 C, then close the valve on the N2 bottle
21. once temperature >20 C, okay to open door
22. check that the bits are still functioning

Secondary Sep System Testing

1. place representative sep system (nichrome wire wrapped around kite string) on fire brake (pumice block to protect thermal chamber) inside thermal chamber
2. run wires for sep system thru foam plug on the side of the chamber
3. lower temperature to -40 C as above
4. dwell for 1 hour
5. fire sep system
6. return to room temp as above

Make a rig for testing the secondary cutdown device.