power problem

While setting up my C8 in the GBO for Kiron to use, I plugged the NOMA multiple outlet power bar, with GFCI, into a receptacle on the south wall.

Didn't notice it at first but I wasn't getting power to the dew heater controller or hand controller. I double-checked the power bar, tripping and resetting the ground fault. Nothing. I tried plugging my custom 120VAC-12VDC adapter into a different receptacle. I looked closely at the 3-way end, with the female CLA jacks. The little red LED was not illuminated. Oh oh.

I had noticed this last night but not put 2 and 2 together.

Something had happened to the power supply last night while Kiron was using it, or when we shut everything down, or when we moved it into the GBO... Damn it.

My heart sank. Probably the 2A rating was exceeded. This design is unfused... So far as I know. There's no fuse in the CLA head, nothing in-line. I suppose there could be a fuse inside the Mosquito wall-wart but I doubt it. I looked at the casing of the AC adapter. No screws or bolts. Yech. Would require a hammer to inspect!

The immediate bad news was that I could not offer Kiron infinite power via AC source tonight. I did have my battery tank though. I had brought the cooler case and dolly for occultation kit power and power while in the middle of an orchard. This additional load would mean I'd have to definitely stay on top of recharging...

I put the custom CLA power adapter aside. I didn't have high hopes. But I'd test it tomorrow, in the daylight, with a multimeter. My brain started racing. If dead, what would I get to replace it? I could build another. It sure was cheap to assemble: already had the 3 CLA splitter; picked up the wall-wart super cheap at Active Surplus. Been using it since 23 March 2007 (or sooner)! Or was this an opportunity to get a "real" power supply, a regulated unit. Costly, I'm sure.

It's just frustrating. When you get once thing sorted out something else breaks...

Damned entropy.