Slocum Maintenance Schedule¶
This page organizes maintenance by when it needs doing, not by which component it touches — the detailed how-to for each item lives on the relevant Glider Components page or checklist; this is the index that tells you when to go read it.
Source
Synthesized from facts already established across this site's Slocum component pages, the Post-Recovery Maintenance Checklist, and the Ballasting Procedure — see those pages for sourcing and full detail.
Before Every Deployment¶
| Item | What to confirm | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Vacuum | ≥ 6 in Hg (shallow) / ≥ 7 in Hg (deep) — never power up without it | One-Pager |
| O-rings | Inspect every hull O-ring and sealing surface; replace as needed | O-Rings |
| Desiccant | Fresh pack installed for this deployment | O-Rings |
| Sacrificial anodes | Forward/aft continuity < 10 Ω; replace if significantly consumed | Post-Recovery Checklist |
| Battery | Correct type installed and charged; coulomb counter reset if new pack | Primary · Rechargeable |
After Every Recovery¶
Rinse after every saltwater exposure
Fresh water on the whole glider, the tail fin/rudder, the pressure transducer, and the CTD/science sensors — salt left to dry promotes corrosion and can inhibit moving parts on the next power-up.
| Item | Action | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Full rinse | Whole glider, fin, pressure transducer, science sensors | Post-Recovery Checklist |
| Thruster (if fitted) | Remove hub (7/64 hex), rinse, re-grease with MoS₂, replace hub | Thruster |
| Digifin / fin | Rinse; check for fouling or a stuck/noisy fin | Digifin |
| External inspection | Hull, anodizing/paint, wet-mate connectors, air bladder, recovery lanyard | Post-Recovery Checklist |
| Leak-detect voltages | Confirm within normal range | Post-Recovery Checklist |
Periodic / Condition-Based¶
These don't happen every deployment — they're driven by cycle counts, symptoms, or a fixed interval.
| Item | Interval / trigger | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shallow buoyancy pump | 10,000-cycle service life | Shallow Pump |
| Deep buoyancy pump | Service when oil-flux troubleshooting indicates wear | Deep Pump |
| O-ring open policy | Primary batteries: every open (i.e. every mission). Rechargeable: commonly once a year | O-Rings |
| Compass | Degauss a suspect (magnetized) battery pack if calibration won't converge | Compass |
| Software updates | Read the release's readme.txt before updating | One-Pager |
Storage¶
- Recharge or otherwise service batteries as planned before shelving.
- Confirm desiccant is installed and the glider is sealed with a proper vacuum.
- Store at +10 to +25 °C for optimum battery life.
- If crating, use all straps and secure cylindrical parts so they can't roll.
See the Post-Recovery Maintenance Checklist for the full storage-prep checklist.