Post-Recovery Maintenance Checklist¶

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Maintenance to carry out on a Slocum G3 glider after recovery. Work through it as soon as practical after the glider is out of the water — salt left to dry promotes corrosion and can inhibit moving parts on the next power-up.

Glider S/N:  _____________   Mission:  ____________________   Date (UTC):  _____________

Engineer:  ___________________________________________________________

1. On Deck / Immediately After Recovery¶

• Secure the glider on its cart or cradle  never leave it where it can roll off a surface
• Note recovery date/time and final GPS position
• Power down the glider properly before removing the green plug

2. Data & Power¶

• Offload all engineering and science data from the glider
• Record final energy state  m_coulomb_amphr_total, m_lithium_battery_relative_charge, battery voltage
• Plan battery action  rechargeable packs turn themselves off at 10 V — recharge before storage (see Batteries → Rechargeable)

3. Fresh-Water Rinse¶

• Rinse the whole glider with fresh water
• Rinse the tail fin / rudder thoroughly  prevents salt crystals from inhibiting fin motion next power-up
• Rinse the pressure (depth) transducer thoroughly
• Rinse the CTD and science sensors per their own guidance
• Dry the recovery strobe / dome and rinse with fresh water (if fitted)

4. Thruster Service (if fitted)¶

• Remove the thruster hub  7/64" hex wrench
• Rinse the thruster thoroughly with fresh water
• Apply molybdenum disulfide grease  supplied with the thruster kit
• Replace the hub

5. External Inspection¶

• Inspect the hull for damage  carbon-fiber hulls: check O-ring sealing surfaces for scratches/defects that could lead to a leak
• Inspect anodizing and paint for scratches  exposed aluminium corrodes — touch up with automotive paint (nail polish works in an emergency)
• Inspect wet-mate connectors (Teledyne Impulse) for damage and clean pins
• Inspect the external air bladder for damage  inspect before and after every deployment
• Inspect the recovery system / lanyard (if fitted)
• Care for dummy and green plugs  OLube or silicone spray; keep contact pins clean

6. Sacrificial Anodes¶

The forward and aft end caps carry sacrificial zinc anodes that protect exposed aluminium and stainless steel from corrosion.

• Inspect anodes for wear; replace if significantly consumed  contact glidersupport@teledyne.com for sizing
• Forward anode continuity — probe between the forward anode and the top pump flange screw (ohmmeter); confirm < 10 Ω
• Aft anode continuity — probe between the aft anode and the ejection weight tube (ohmmeter); confirm < 10 Ω

7. O-Rings & Seals (if opening the glider)¶

• Inspect main-hull double O-rings and sealing surfaces
• Re-lubricate or replace O-rings as needed  G3 main-hull O-ring P/N 304697 — not interchangeable with G2

8. Desiccant¶

• Replace desiccant packs  use fresh desiccant for each deployment
• If the glider will stay open, store desiccant in sealed plastic bags  saturated desiccant gains ~40 g and affects ballasting; dry pouch ≈ 114 g
• Open and re-seal the glider in a controlled, dry environment where possible

9. Vacuum & Leak Check¶

• Pull and confirm internal vacuum  low/falling vacuum indicates a leak; positive pressure may indicate gas accumulation — vacuum varies with temperature
• Check fin leak-detect reading  m_digifin_leakdetect_reading should sit near 1025; below 1018 indicates a leak

10. Storage Preparation¶

• Recharge / service batteries as planned
• Confirm desiccant installed and glider sealed
• Store within the recommended temperature range  +10 to +25 °C for optimum battery life
• Secure the glider for storage or shipping  if crating, use all straps; secure cylindrical parts so they cannot roll

Sign-Off¶