OCR Text |
Show to insure complete melting of collected snow and proper functioning of the gauge. One method of heating that has been used successfully is the suspension ( within the gauge bucket) of an electrical " heat tape" of the type used to prevent water pipe freezing. This delivers heat directly to where it is needed- in the bucket-but care must be taken to suspend the tape on a light aluminum frame from the pauge body, not from the bucket, so there is no interference with the bucket weighing. More recently, the gauge, in use at Alta, has simply utilized a 150- watt light bulb mounted in the bottom of the gauge next to the recording drum. This provides sufficient heat to the bucket under all but the most severe conditions. Insurance of proper gauge operation in the absence of electric power is difficult. Theoretically, a propane pilot flame in place of the light bulb, described above, ought to provide adequate heat. In practice, it is found that it does while lit, but is very difficult to keep from blowing out during high winds even though several different types of burners have been tested. The high altitude at which these gauges were operated ( 8,500 to 11,000 ft.) probably accounts in part for the difficulty of maintaining reliable combustion. - 7 - |