General Principles

• DO NOT use control-c to stop a script, this can leave the instrument in an unsafe state. Use kpfconfig.SCRIPTSTOP to request a stop (also available as a button in the KPF OB GUI).

...

Setting SCRIPTSTOP to “Yes” will request that the running script terminate in an orderly fashion. This may take several minutes depending on when the running script reaches a sensible breakpoint. It is important to use SCRIPTSTOP to halt a script (instead of hitting ctrl-c) because cleanup actions will be performed after a SCRIPTSTOP (e.g. turning off laps to preserve their lifetime).

...

The agitator can be reenabled by simply setting the keyword to “Yes”. This should only be done by WMKO staff and should only be done if the agitator is fully functional. A broken or misbehaving agitator mechanism presents a significant danger to the science fibers.

...

The cal source has likely been disabled for a reason. Reenabling it should only be done by WMKO staff with knowledge of why it was disabled in the first place.

SlewCal or Simultaneous Calibration Source is Wrong

...

These two sources are set from the same place and are always kept to the same value using the kpfconfig.SIMULCALSOURCE keyword.

Solution

This value should only be changed by WMKO staff. The choice of calibration source is influenced by our desire to maintain the lifetime of the various lamps and calibration sources and by the need for warmup times on certain sources. This is not something the user should adjust, contact a WMKO Staff Astronomer if you feel it is set incorrectly.

...

The detector has likely been disabled for a reason. Reenabling it should only be done by WMKO staff with knowledge of why it was disabled in the first place.

Detector Fails to Trigger Without Error

...

L0 files may be deprecated when switching to fast-readout mode. The observers may find broken L1/L2 files, and the L0 files are missing green/red/CaHK components. If L0 files needed to be regenerated, it is better to write to a new directory (e.g., /sdata1701/kpfeng/DATE/new_L0 ), and inform Jeff Mader so he can ingest the new L0 files to Keck Observatory Archive.

Vacuum

Vacuum Chamber vacuum levels rising

Symptom

Vacuum levels in the chamber are rising, but the vacuum levels at the pump are falling.

This might manifest as a “vac chamber trouble” alert from kpfmon.

Problem

The gate valve between the vacuum chamber and the pump has closed.

The gate valve is currently (late 2023) not instrumented and is controlled by compressed air from the facility. As long as facility compressed air is working, the valve is open and the pump should be keeping the vacuum chamber at good vacuum levels. If the gate valve closes, it is presumably because compressed air has failed.

...

Solution

Restore compressed air.

Note that compressed air depends on HELCO power. If we’re on generator, it is not active. It should come back on it’s own once power is restored.