Installation
The FTACS was installed
on the 12th February 2009 at Sculpture Cave. The camera box
was positioned on the steel observation box and the camera
adjusted to an angle to suit the requirements of the final
image (Fig. 27). The camera was set at 5MP resolution to increase
storage capacity. Holes were then drilled into the observation
box and the camera box riveted in place (Fig. 28).
Figure 27 - Mounting
the camera box
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Figure 28 - Rivets
= fast and easy!
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Holes were then
drilled for the mounting of the enclosure (Fig. 29), which
was also secured with rivets at the brackets. An 8-wire DIN
cable was threaded through a waterproofed cable grommet in
the side of the enclosure and followed through into the observation
box via a length of UV resistant air-conditioning cable conduit
(fig. 30). The gaps along the bottom of the enclosure were
filled with silicone sealant.
Figure 29 - Drilling
holes for the enclosure
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Figure 30 - Mounted
enclosure and cable relief
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The probe box was
mounted in a 2m length of 90mm PVC tubing inserted into a
crevice and secured with cable ties (Fig. 31). Numerous holes
were drilled into the PVC pipe at various depths to ensure
the water level was consistent with the outside environment.
The twin-core cable was routed through the PVC and up the
steel cable conduit (already present) via a length of garden
hose for protection from rock abrasion (Fig. 32).
Figure 31 - Probe box
snug in PVC pipe housing
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Figure 32 - Piping
into the cable conduit
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The PVC pipe was
later sealed at the top with an end cap (Fig. 33). The twin-core
cable can be seen appearing out the other side of the cable
conduit in the observation box (Fig. 34) where the rest of
the system was mounted. The fan contained within the camera
box was wired with the solar regulator (black box in Fig.
34) such that it would operate only on solar power, thus conserving
battery power and preventing needless operation during the
night. A couple of moth balls were thrown into the box (green
cylinders in Fig. 34) in the hope of driving out insects that
may potentially make nests in inappropriate areas.
Figure 33- The mounted
probe box
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Figure 34 - The "rats
nest" interior
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Fig. 35 provides
a view of the new FTACS mounted on the observation box whilst
Fig. 36 provides another view of the FTACS, with the steel
cable conduit which runs to the water probe box visible in
the foreground (Fig. 36).
Figure 35- The completed
FTACS!
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Figure 36 - Watching,
waiting...
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At the time of
installation, the valley into Sculpture Cave was as pictured
in Fig. 37. Note the clear evidence of water inundation up
to the top of the cave as indicated by the dead flora. Tree
debris can also be seen on the left hand side – a tribute
to the rate of flow. In comparison with Fig. 1, it is obvious
that this was almost certainly a large flow event. Unfortunately
the FTACS was installed after this flow, and was unable to
capture the action.
Figure 37 - Sculpture
cave after some massive flows!
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