40
Many animals and plants will attempt to colonize the tower. Every time the station is visited,
remove any noticeable debris and structures (e.g. wasp/bee nests, bird nests, termite mounds, etc)
present on the station. Also remove any lianas or climbers that are starting to colonize from the
base of the tower. Follow ant lines (or termite trails) that are climbing the tower to detect where
they are going (to a sensor, a nest, the enclosure, etc) and destroy them.
It is also very important to check on the tower’s grounding cable. There is a possibility it could
become disconnected during an intense storm or due to someone stepping on it. Remember that
IT IS CRITICAL THE TOWER IS GROUNDED to ensure proper protection against
lightning strikes for the electrical circuits of the climate sensing equipment housed in the
enclosure. Reattach the grounding wire to where it became loose by using a clamp.
4.4 Enclosure Maintenance
Check the integrity of the enclosure at least monthly (preferably every two weeks). First check
the outside and make sure the enclosure is solid and there are no obvious breaches or rusting
spots developing on the external surface. If any are detected, treat immediately by sanding the
area and applying antirust paint. Look for ant or termite lines going into the enclosure and
destroy them.
Open the enclosure and check the humidity indicator. Replace the silica gel or Zorb-it™ packets
if the middle circle (labeled 40) is pink. If there are ants or other insects inside the box, there is a
breach most likely through the bottom pipe. Carefully check the pipe at the bottom of the
enclosure and make sure the putty is correctly placed to seal the entrance. Remove any debris,
insects, or structures found inside the enclosure.
Inspect the cables and terminals in the data logger and battery to make sure the connections are
not comprised. Look for rusting and salt deposits on the terminals; if any are detected, remove
the cable from the terminal, clean it with sand paper and reconnect. Check the external surface of
the cables to make sure there are no breaks or exposed wires. Repair any cables with exposed or
damaged sections by wrapping the section of the cable with vinyl/electrical tape.
4.5 Sensor maintenance
All the sensors used in this protocol are designed to work unattended, but some minimum
maintenance is necessary to ensure they are working correctly.
Temperature/RH sensor (Vaisala HMP45C-L): Once a month, remove the sensors from the
aspirated radiation shield and check for debris or deposits on the black screen at the end of the
sensor. There is no need to disconnect any cables from the data logger or the cabling box in the
aspirated radiation shield. Just remove the bottom portion of the shield and pull out the sensor
from the tube to inspect it. Refer to the manual of the sensor for other maintenance guidelines,
especially if the station is close to the ocean (salt deposits can form more quickly).
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