A Comprehensive Guide to Installing and Maintaining Panel DOL Starter 15HP /11KW Motor in Pakistan
In the world of industrial motors, efficiency and reliability are crucial. When it comes to starting and protecting a 15HP /11KW motor in Pakistan, a Panel DOL (Direct-On-Line) Starter is the go-to solution. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on everything you need to know about Panel DOL Starter 15HP /11KW Motor in Pakistan, including its definition, benefits, features, installation, troubleshooting, and where to buy it.
What is a Panel DOL Starter?
A Panel DOL Starter is an electrical device used to start and protect induction motors. It is commonly used in industrial applications where motors require direct-on-line starting. The Panel DOL Starter consists of a contactor, overload relay, and a control circuit. The contactor is responsible for connecting and disconnecting the motor from the power supply, while the overload relay protects the motor against excessive current.
Benefits of using a Panel DOL Starter for a 15HP /11KW Motor
Using a Panel DOL Starter for a 15HP /11KW motor offers several benefits. Firstly, it provides a simple and cost-effective solution for motor starting. The direct-on-line starting method ensures a quick and efficient start, reducing the wear and tear on the motor. Additionally, the overload relay protects the motor from damage caused by excessive current, ensuring its longevity.
Another benefit of using a Panel DOL Starter is its ease of installation. The starter comes pre-wired and mounted on a panel, making it convenient for installation. It also eliminates the need for complex wiring arrangements, saving both time and effort. Moreover, the compact design of the Panel DOL Starter allows for space-saving installation, making it suitable for various industrial environments.
Features of Panel DOL Starter 15HP /11KW Motor in Pakistan
The Panel DOL Starter for a 15HP /11KW motor in Pakistan comes with several notable features. It is built with high-quality materials, ensuring durability and reliability in demanding industrial conditions. The starter is designed to handle the specific power requirements of a 15HP /11KW motor, providing optimal performance.
Furthermore, the Panel DOL Starter is equipped with thermal and magnetic overload protection. This feature automatically trips the power supply to the motor in case of an overload or fault condition, preventing any damage to the motor. The starter also includes indicator lights for easy monitoring of the motor's status, making it convenient for operators.
How does a Panel DOL Starter work?
The operation of a Panel DOL Starter is quite straightforward. When the start button is pressed, the control circuit energizes the contactor coil, closing the contacts and connecting the motor to the power supply. If the current exceeds the preset limit, the overload relay trips and opens the contacts, disconnecting the motor from the power supply. This protects the motor from any potential damage caused by excessive current.
Once the motor is started, the control circuit releases the start button, but the contactor remains closed, maintaining the power supply to the motor. To stop the motor, the stop button is pressed, de-energizing the contactor coil and opening the contacts, disconnecting the motor from the power supply.
Installation and wiring of Panel DOL Starter 15HP /11KW Motor
Installing and wiring a Panel DOL Starter for a 15HP /11KW motor in Pakistan requires some basic electrical knowledge and adherence to safety guidelines. It is crucial to follow the manufacturer's instructions and consult a qualified electrician if needed.
To install the Panel DOL Starter, begin by mounting it in a suitable location, ensuring proper ventilation and accessibility. Next, connect the power supply wires to the appropriate terminals of the starter, following the provided wiring diagram. It is essential to use the correct wire gauge and ensure proper insulation to prevent any electrical hazards.
Once the power supply is connected, wire the control circuit, including the start and stop buttons, control transformer, and overload relay. Ensure that all connections are secure and properly insulated. Finally, test the installation by pressing the start button and verifying that the motor starts and stops as intended.
Common troubleshooting and maintenance tips for Panel DOL Starter 15HP /11KW Motor
To ensure the smooth operation of the Panel DOL Starter for a 15HP /11KW motor, regular maintenance and troubleshooting are necessary. Here are some common tips to help you troubleshoot and maintain the starter:
Regularly inspect the contactor for any signs of wear or damage. Replace any faulty components immediately.
Check the overload relay settings periodically to ensure they are properly calibrated and aligned with the motor's requirements.
Clean the starter and its components regularly to remove dust and debris that may affect its performance.
Conduct routine checks of the wiring connections to ensure they are secure and free from corrosion.
Train operators on proper usage and handling of the starter to avoid any accidental damage.
By following these tips, you can maximize the lifespan and performance of your Panel DOL Starter.
Conclusion
A Panel DOL Starter is an essential component for starting and protecting a 15HP /11KW motor. Its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and reliability make it the preferred choice in industrial applications. By understanding its definition, benefits, features, installation, troubleshooting, and where to buy, you can make an informed decision and ensure the efficient operation of your motor. Invest in a Panel DOL Starter today and enjoy the benefits of a reliable motor starting solution.
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The Engineer that Couldn't
Really feeling the burnout. Only a few more days left.
Cross-posted to AO3 here: The Engineer that Couldn't
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The panel dropped back into place as I pulled the lever. The floor heaved beneath me, almost sending me stumbling back into the engine car’s door. My free arm braced against the wall, refusing to let go of the lever even as I felt it twist in my palm. "Come on. Come on. You got this…"
I willed it to work with everything I had in me. I prayed, I begged, I wished… All my knowledge on how to run this train wouldn’t matter if I couldn’t get it to start. The universe answered in kind. The engines whirred to life in a flurry of blinking lights and fluttering gage needles. The floor lept beneath my feet once more. This time, I couldn’t keep my balance. My legs slipped out from under me and I hit the corrugated metal with a grunt of pain. That was going to leave a bruise.
Wrought metal groaned as wheels began to move somewhere beneath me. It worked! So I let go of the lever, letting it flick back into place. The familiar rattle of the old RBBX was music to the ears. The engine room hummed all around me as lights blinked in lazy, brightly colored patterns.
A laugh bubbled up from deep inside my chest as I looked around. I was so tired. It had taken all night, but I had finally done it! The train was finally functional once more.
I slapped my hands against the denim covering my knees and pushed myself back onto my feet. A flick of a few switches later, and the car powered back down. The main control panel was a little warm to the touch but not enough to be a cause of concern. She would be fine. Despite knowing that the train couldn’t feel it, I felt the need to pat the edges of the main control table fondly as if to congratulate it on the job well done. “Good to have you back.”
The motors began to slow to a smooth hum.
Once the last of the clicks and groans died out, I flipped the latch on the door of the engine room. The morning sun was blindingly bright compared to the cozy little car. The light highlighted every grease smear I had accumulated along my arms and down the legs of my pants. They hadn’t been as noticeable in the dim cab. I shouldn’t have been surprised, though. Keeping this thing running was always messy work.
The train was like my baby. It was my pride and joy. As the engineer who ran it, it was my responsibility to keep her as happy and healthy as a train could be. It hasn’t always been easy, though. It was old. Really old. Old enough that replacement parts were no longer in production. It was getting harder to find usable components, but lately I had been finding ways to get creative. This wasn't the first time I’ve managed to repurpose a few loose scraps of iron.
I was just in the middle of admiring my own work, taking in the sight of the old train framed by the nearby trees when I heard the telltale sounds of grass shifting. It was subtle, but it was there. Someone was coming up from behind, and their wheels sounded a little squeaky. I smiled, wondering if I had left a can of oil back in the engine cart with my toolbox. I could fix that squeak in no time.
"I saw those lights flash a moment ago," a familiar voice asked from somewhere behind me. "Did it work, Impulse? Was it the starter thingy like you thought?"
"It did.” I could feel the smile stretching across my face. "It was."
"Look at you! Amazing!"
"Thanks, Scar." One of my cheeks was beginning to itch in the slight morning breeze. Without thinking, I reached up to scratch at it absent-mindedly. My blackened fingers came away smudged, and it dawned on me that I still hadn’t cleaned up. There had to be grease marks on my face by now. "At the very least, it will last us until the next town if we have to leave."
Scar rolled up closer until I could see him through the corner of my eye. The other man was already dressed in his elaborate red tailcoat. His signature top hat was sitting on his lap, half obscured by the armrests of his wheelchair. The ringmaster looked just as pleased as I felt. "Appreciated. I don't plan on us having to pack up right away for any reason, but it's good to know she'll live to chug another day."
There was a flutter of red as Scar offered up the handkerchief from his pocket. I flashed him a grateful smile before reaching out and plucking it from Scar’s hands. I didn’t want to get any grease on him. Scar had a show he was preparing for tonight and other things to worry about. I didn’t need to add ‘accidental grease stains’ to the list so I was careful not to accidentally bump his fingers with my own.
At least the scrap of fabric worked surprisingly well to rub away the layer of black and grey coating my hands. "Alright, Scar. You caught me in between projects. What do you need?"
When I was done, I offered the soiled handkerchief back out to the other man. "Well…" Scar took it with a thinly veiled look of disgust and a shrug. The look on his face almost made me laugh as he draped it across one of his armrests instead of returning it back to his pocket. "I know you’ve been busy, but now that you’re finished with the train, could you take a look at one of the rope thingies in the big top?”
I felt my own eyebrows raise. Scar was no expert on tools. That’s why the ringmaster and many other members of the circus came to me for help. I was the guy who made things happen, that way the people who actually performed in the show could do so without a hitch. But I still needed more information to go off of than that simple description. “Rope thingies?”
“Yeah! You know, the thing that pulls the rope up when we raise the tent. It’s like a big fishing reel, but for rope instead of string.”
“You mean the winch?”
Scar snapped his fingers and grinned. “That’s it! That’s the thing. The wench!”
“Winch,” I corrected softly, fighting to hold back a snort of laughter. “Why? What’s wrong with it?
“Oh. Well, there’s smoke coming out of its side, and something definitely fell from the east pole."
That wiped the smile right off of my face. That didn’t sound good at all. “You mean one of the poles propping the tent up? That east pole?!?”
“Yeah. Is that going to be a problem?”
“Uh… yeeeeah,” I said nervously. There were any number of pulleys, hooks, or ropes on that pole that were meant to be supporting the tent. The rigging had to be carefully placed to keep the heavy canvas held in place. And if the winch was failing, then that end of the tent was probably going to-
Someone shouted from the edge of the big top. “THE TENT!” I whirled around to see Pearl and Grian come rolling out from under the tarp making up the side wall of the tent. As soon as they managed to crawl clear of the fabric, they scrambled to their feet and backed away just in time to watch one of the ropes holding up the canvas snap.
I broke into a run. In retrospect, I feel bad for leaving Scar where he sat. He couldn’t keep up with me on his own, but my brain was short-circuiting with all the panic. I couldn’t just sit there and watch. I had to do something.
I tore my way across the open field towards the two performers. The tent was starting to wobble on its supports as I got close. I cupped my hands around my mouth to make myself louder and shouted “Get out of there! The whole thing’s coming down!”
Pearl and Grian had enough sense to back away from the tent as quickly as their legs could carry them. A few other people came streaming from the front entrance as it started to sway. I could see Stress among them, and behind her came Wels and Ren. They were having some difficulty moving considering the three were in full makeup and costume, but they still managed to clear the tent flaps. It vaguely occurred to me that they had probably been practicing their act, but that train of thought went abandoned when the east support wobbled.
The center of the tarp was dragged back and forth, back and forth, back and forth with the motion of the pole. Half the tent collapsed in on itself as it finally tilted a little too far. It knocked into the center and westward poles like dominos. The tarp they supported came fluttering back down.
Surprised shouts and startled screams of the circus workers still inside reached my ears.
It kicked up a massive breeze as all the air was pushed out from under the falling canvas. The center fell flat like a deflated balloon so that only the outside edges of the fabric propped up on smaller stakes around the tent border remained standing.
My feet carried me to its edge a few seconds later, Grian and Pearl rushing into action beside me. “I don’t know what happened,” Pearl said, voice wavering. Grian shoved aside the fabric covering one of the poles so we could get to the underside of the fallen tarp.
“I think I do,” I said. Without waiting, I rushed through the opening Grian was holding and started shoving my way forward. I reached out ahead of me as I moved, heaving the canvas up over my head so I could keep making headway. The effect was almost claustrophobic. The fabric pressed in ahead of me and fell away behind me like the tunnel of a cave. Pearl brushed past the fabric at my side, rushing head-first under the canvas as well. “Let’s just get everyone out,” I said, falling in behind her. “And then I’ll fix this.”
_______________________________________________________________
Turns out, they were pretty lucky.
Most of the people who had gotten caught under the fallen tent were close to the sides when it came down on top of them. Nobody had gotten hurt. Just a little shaken.
Helping with hauling the pillars back upright was a lot of hard work. They were extremely heavy and tall, so everyone in the circus pitched in as well. We had to clear away the tent tarp to hook loops of rope into the top. Then the base had to be grounded in place and tilted upright once more.
But now things had settled down. The beams were back upright, but the tarp still had to be pitched. The others were dispersing, leaving to go back to whatever they had been working on before the big top fell down. Scar was redirecting people to take care of the equipment that had to be dragged off the train just so they could lift the pole. I managed to catch his eye with a wave of my hand. Scar nodded in acknowledgment but was still busy talking to Gem and Etho about where the truck they had used to redirect the poles was supposed to be parked.
I took that as my que to go find the winch. It would still need fixing, and now that the tent cover was back on the ground they would need it more than before to help heft the fabric back up to its place on top of the supports. When I started shouldering my way through the crowd, away from the truck, someone else fell in my wake.
“Hey Impulse.”
“What’s up, Grian?”
Grian stepped up alongside me with a smirk. “Nothing much. What about you? Where are you going?”
“Not far. I’ve got a winch and pulley system to check before the tent can go up again.”
“Yeah… about that…” He reached into the pocket of his leather jacket. To my surprise, he pulled out an entire pulley block that looked two sizes too big for his pocket. “This thing nearly got me in the dome before the whole place came down.” He held it out for me and I took it, turning the block in my hands to get a better look.
The oblong object had two large pulleys nested in a black casing that ended in a large loop meant to clip onto a bracket. The loop itself was broken. The clasp hung uselessly from its hinge. That would need fixing. “Dangit,” I hissed. The hinge practically fell to pieces when I poked at it. “Well, it’s no wonder that the tent fell.”
Grian froze at that. There was a guilty look in his eyes as shoved his hands into his pockets. “I take it that means you’re going to be busy with that for the rest of the day?”
“Nah. It will take a bit of time to weld up, but I should have it fixed in no time.” I decided to leave out the part about the winch. Grian was following me towards the back of the half-pitched tent where it was supposed to be. First I needed to check how extensive that damage was, but it probably wouldn’t take too long to get running once more. “Then we can get the tarp back up.”
The guilt in Grian’s eyes immediately shifted to excitement. “Great! And what are you doing after that?”
Oh. So Grian actually wanted something from me. That nearly stopped me in my tracks. I stumbled a little but corrected myself. Considering a recent crash the pilot had been a part of, I had an idea of what was coming.
The winch was in sight by now. So was a trail of smoke coming out its side. I nearly let out a whistle in awe. Scar sure hadn’t been kidding. That wasn’t a good sign at all.
Still, that winch wouldn’t take too long, right? What else did I have on my list of things to do today? Sleeping would have been nice, since I didn’t get much last night. Getting the train functioning again was more important, though. I could live without sleep. Then there were the lifts and the pyrotechnics that the acrobats used that still needed to be set up for tonight. And Etho’s spinning mechanical see-saw that needed to be hauled out of the storage cart and checked for damage. And the spinning target wheel for Cleo and Jevin’s act needed to be assembled…
“Uh… Maybe fixing a few things here and there,” I finally answered. “Why? What’s up?”
“Well, as you know, there was a little incident with my plane the other day,” Grian said, drawing out his words with a knowing smile.
“Mmmhmm.” I nodded, fighting back against the urge to roll my eyes. He wasn’t fooling anyone.
Grian’s act was a dangerous one. He was a barnstormer. He earned his living by flying an old Jenny propeller plane that was even older than the RBBX train. Once in the air, he was supposed to set the controls so the plane would fly itself while he crawled out onto the wings to perform tricks.
We all knew he had accidentally forgotten to check the autopilot before taking off.
“And until my plane can get back in the sky, my act is grounded,” he continued. “So I was wondering if you could take a look at it and see if it’s something you could fix up quickly? I really want to be part of the show tonight if I can.”
“I thought Mumbo was helping you fix that thing up?”
Grian let out a heavy sigh. “He was,” he huffed, sounding a little bored. “I guess he still is, but lately he’s been busy with some big new project of his. Besides, you’re much faster. Everyone knows that you’re the guy to go to for help. Especially this kind of stuff.”
“Well, yeah,” I admitted. I scratched at the back of my neck as if that would help hide the fact that I wasn’t feeling confident about this at all. “But an entire plane in a day, Grian? That’s a bit of a tall order…”
“Please! Just a look.” His dark eyes grew wide and pleading, sparkling like a puppy begging for a scrap of food. It was a powerful look, and it was working.
What’s one more thing on his plate?
“Maybe just a peak,” I said, giving in. “I’ll take a look after I’m all caught up and see what I can do.”
“YES! Hee hee heeee!” Grian threw both fists into the air. He shook them excitedly before bouncing over and gripping my shoulders. It didn’t hurt, but he gently shook me with a smile like it was meant to be some sort of hug. “Thank you, Impulse! You’re the best.” He let me go, only to turn back towards the remaining few people lingering by the truck. “I’m supposed to be helping False, so I won’t be able to help you right now. I’ll check in at five and see how it’s going. See you then?”
“I’ll be there,” I say, backstepping. I couldn’t help but spare a glance at the broken pulley block still in my hand that I somehow needed to get fifteen feet up in the air and attached to the load-bearing rope. “See you then.”
_______________________________________________________
The winch was finally fixed.
It took me a few hours, but the winch was fixed and the pulley block was in place. Both were working hard to haul the tarp back up to its rightful place. I was working alongside a few other circus carnies, making sure the ropes didn’t become tangled with each other as the machine spooled them. With a heave, I used a metal bar to pry the bindings apart before they could overlap. By the time the tent was back in its place, it was past noon and I was exhausted.
“Nice work,” Beef said, shaking out his arms to loosen up the muscles after pinning the rope to the ground with a rod and a few swings of the sledgehammer. “Looks like we’re back up and running.”
“Great,” I said, dropping my makeshift crowbar and moving toward my toolbox. “Now back to work.”
“Work?” Doc stepped out from behind the winch, where he had been keeping an eye on the newly replaced motor gearbox in case any more issues reared their ugly head. “I thought I was the one who was always on the grind. Where are you off to, man? It’s show night.”
“Exactly.” My arms protested under the weight of the toolbox, but I ignored the aching soreness. “I’ve still gotta go take care of some things.”
“Like what?”
“Oh you know, the usual. Someone needs to check the lifts to make sure they’re safe. And Etho’s rig needs to be tested. And I’m pretty sure Jevin and Cleo’s wheel still needs to be put together. I didn’t get around to that last night. Oh, and Grian asked me to take a look at his plane too.”
Beef and Doc shared a glance before turning back to me. I smiled and shrugged at the concerned looks they were giving. It wasn’t that big of a deal, but clearly, they thought otherwise.
“Uh, that sounds like a lot, buddy,” Beef said, picking up the prybar I had just dropped. “Are you sure you’ll be able to get all that done on your own?”
Doc nodded. “Do you need some help? We could probably take care of a few things, and Etho knows his way around redstone signals, too.”
Beef snapped his fingers at Doc, smiling as if he had just realized something. “Good point! He could probably take care of his own machine tonight.”
“It’s fine. Thank you for the offer, but you both know I don’t mind helping out. I do need to get a move on, though, so if you gentlemen will excuse me…” They frowned as I pivoted on my heel. There were a few footsteps from behind me, but whether they intended to follow and decided against it, or just shrugged it off and moved on to their next task, I wouldn’t know. I didn’t look back, and by the time I had made it three steps out from under the big top, Gem appeared.
“Hey Impulse,” she said, practically skipping up. “How’s it going?”
“Hey Gem,” I hummed back. I didn’t slow down for her. Instead, she quickened her pace to walk alongside me. “Going great. How about you?”
“I’m good. Actually, I was just talking to Scar about starting a petting zoo.”
“Oooh, and how did that go?”
“Not so great.” Her eyes narrowed and nose scrunched up as she spared a look towards the ringmaster’s personal train car. “He’s worried about transporting the animals, but we already have an entire cart dedicated to Bdub’s horses. I didn’t think it would be that difficult to find some space for a couple of goats and chickens.”
“Is that all he’s worried about?” I chuckled. “I could probably whip up some automated holding pens.” It wouldn’t even be that difficult of a task. There was always room in the stable cart’s loft.
“Well, he did mention having to buy feed as well, but I think it would be worth it. We could always charge to feed the animals. Just think of all the kids that come to the circus. What little kid wouldn’t want to pet a goat?” She huffed. “Maybe you could talk to him about that holding pen tonight?”
“Tonight?!”
“Yeah! Of course tonight. And you know Scar. He’s going to want to see what you mean. If you could have an example made up by then, then there’s no way he’ll think it’s a bad idea if you’re the one doing it. You always have good ideas. Maybe you could convince him that it would be worth it?”
She wasn’t pulling out the puppy dog eyes like Grian, but this was Gem. Gem was great, and a good friend. We got along well, and when she set her sights on something there was no changing her mind. She also knew how to butter me up. “Alright,” I agreed, adding another mental note to the growing checklist of things that needed to be done.
“Thank you, Impulse,” Gem beamed. I could tell by the tone of her voice that she was not surprised that I had given in so easily. “I’ll see you tonight after the show. Are you going to be in the stands?”
If I had time to watch the show, I would. But that’s not what I said, though.
“I’ll be there.”
_____________________________________________________________________
“Hey Impy! How’s it going?”
Tango’s blond head appeared upside down in front of me so suddenly that I nearly jumped out my boots. The socket wrench dropped from my hand as I scrambled backward. “AHHH!”
“Hehhehhehhehheh,” he giggled, swinging back up out of sight. “Sorry! Sorry, but man you should have seen the look on your face. I really got you there.”
“You did not,” I snapped, snatching the wrench back up. “I was just super focused. That’s all.”
When I looked up, I could catch flashes of his red pants and bright hair through the trusses beneath the lift. He was lowering himself from the top of the counter weight. The metal bars clattered as he climbed through them with ease. I would have said something about how dangerous that would be if the lift started to move. It was a good way to get yourself squished. But Tango knew what he was doing. He had a good eye for circuitry and electronics, just like me. He knew that the lift was fully powered down for the moment.
I could still hear him laughing from somewhere above me. “Hhmhm hmph… Sure you were.”
The bars clattered again. I had just enough time to step out of the way before Tango slid down the set of ropes tethered to stage weights beneath the platform floor. He lept off before he could hit the ballast I was working on and dropped down next to where I had been standing. “Whoah!” He rocked on his heels, struggling to maintain his balance. Arms pinwheeled as he tried to right himself.
I had half the mind to give him a little push. Nothing hard enough to hurt, but just enough to tip him over the edge. What I actually ended up doing, though, was reaching out to give him my hand.
He grabbed on tight, and I held firm while he used my grip to anchor himself. I let go when he had both feet stable on the ground. “Thanks, man!”
“Looks like you need more practice before the show tonight,” I teased, turning back to the lift. There was a snag in the motion of one of the ropes that I was trying to get to the bottom of before they started admitting audience members. It wasn’t about to take care of itself.
Tango waved my words off with a brazen grin. He made himself comfortable instead, sitting down on one of the scaffolding poles holding up the stage around us. “Nah. I’m not interested in becoming a flier. My act is still on the ground for now. At least until we can figure out the best way to keep the ropes from catching on fire.”
“Stress would thank you if you could keep your clothes from catching on fire first.”
Tango only shrugged. “Hey, these things happen sometimes. It’s an occupational hazard. Now what are you doing?” He leaned in a little closer as I loosened the bolt on the side of the ballast. There was a curious glint in his eye as I pulled the box open to check inside. Sure enough, the stacked weights were tilted. It wouldn’t cause any damage to the finely tuned weight system, but the uneven balance had caused the ropes to pull unsteadily. Thank goodness it was such an easy fix.
“Trying to make sure everything checks out alright for tonight,” I said. The ballast door slammed closed a little harder than I intended. “Why? Do you need something?”
“Nah. I’m good. Just thought I’d keep you company. Maybe ask if you wanted to hit up this restaurant I’ve been hearing about since we rolled into town… Why do you ask?”
I thought of Scar and Grian and Gem. Enough people had come by asking for things that I must have just come to expect it. “I guess I just thought you might have needed help for some reason. I’ll have to pass on lunch, though. There’s too much I gotta do, still.” Once the counterweights in the ballast were righted, I swung the door shut. It hit harder than I expected. Both me and Tango winced as it slammed into place.
The smile dropped off of Tango’s face, only to be replaced with a confused frown. “Lunch? Buddy, it’s six in the evening.”
Six?
“You’re kidding! No, it’s not…” I looked at my watch. Sure enough, it was ten minutes past six. “Oh my gosh, it is.” Where had all that time gone? At least I had managed to check the gas lines and Etho’s rig hadn't been oiled. But I still needed to set up the sparkler machines and I had promised Hypno two hours earlier that I would finish hooking up the spotlights for tonight's show. Not to mention that I hadn’t even started looking at Grian’s plane or Gem’s holding pens.
Grian! I had completely forgotten about meeting up with Grian at five!
I had to get this thing closed up and rush to the next thing, and fast. The show would be starting in two hours. That wasn’t nearly enough time to get everything done. So I stuck my socket wrench over the bolt and wound it up as fast as I could.
“Hey, if you haven’t eaten anything since breakfast then I can help out with something,” Tango offered, standing back up. Oddly enough, I couldn’t remember if I actually had breakfast at some point. I suppose the snack I had at midnight when I took a break from rewiring the train counted as breakfast. “Hand me a wrench or something and we can get this done,” he added, holding one hand out, ready for me to give him a tool.
“Thanks, Top, but I’m fine, really.” The bolt finally stuck in place. I pulled off the socket wrench and tossed it into my toolbox. He dropped his empty hand back along his side. “I just finished up here, actually. Now I just gotta go on to the next task.” I made to move through the path between the scaffolding, but Tango stepped in my way. I nearly grit my teeth in annoyance. He was purposely blocking my path and eating up precious seconds.
“Well, what’s that? Maybe I can help you with the next thing on your list?”
“I’ll be fine,” I say a little more harshly than I intend. The frown on Tango’s face deepens. It makes me feel a little bad, but I’m also relieved when he makes no move to stop me as I push past him. “It’s my responsibility. I said I would do it, and I’ve gotta stick to my word.”
He opened his mouth to say something else, but I cut him off as I quickened my pace. “You’ll have to tell me after the show what that restaurant is so I can try it later. Good luck! You’ll do great tonight!”
And then I turned away. Tango, usually so bright and sunny, almost seemed to dim when I did.
I didn’t really wait for a reply from my buddy, although he did actually say something. I had heard his voice shouting back at me, just not the words. I didn’t have time for that. Somehow I would make it up to him later. We could hang out when Skizz got here and I had fewer people depending on me.
I made my way through the dark underworkings of the stage towards the opening in the side of the tent. As I walked, I couldn’t help but wonder what I looked like to Tango as I ran off. Did I look nearly as exhausted as I was feeling?
__________________________________________________________
I couldn’t do it.
There was only a half hour left before the show. It had gotten to the point where I was trying to juggle two things at once.
The plane had been stashed in the back of a hollow shed that the circus had thrown together as a cheap cover for the assets that were too big to keep hauling on and off the train. Beside the bi-plane were also False’s hot air balloon and a number of very large automated puppets Mumbo had once built for a show. It also made for a make-shift workshop where me and the other carnies could work in peace without worrying about the public seeing. Right now, it acted as a good way to hide my shame as I struggled to remove most of the damaged plane’s parts while also putting aside anything salvageable that I could use to make Gem’s gate.
While most of the damage had been limited to the outer body, Grian's Jenny was still in shambles. The framework for the wings was broken and would need replacing. Same with the propeller, and when I pulled open the casing over the engine, an entire piston fell out of the engine block.
I couldn’t keep convincing myself that the damage was small enough to have it finished in time for tonight’s show. But I also hadn’t run into Grian either. He must have been too busy helping Scar prep for the show. I couldn’t tell him. I couldn’t face him. I couldn’t even do my job right. I was letting people down…
I was so tired.
“Impulse?”
My heart sank when I heard Grian’s voice.
“Are you in here?”
That sounded a lot like Gem too. Were they both here together?
“You should come out.”
“We heard about everything you’ve been up to. We’re here to help you out.”
Huh? That was Doc and Beef. They didn’t normally hang out with Grian and Gem. What were those four doing together?
As embarrassed as I was, the curiosity won out. The circumstances were too weird not to address. I poked my head out of the cockpit to see a small crowd of my fellow carnies coming in through the open shed door. Doc, Beef, Gem, and Grian were among them, but I could also make out Tango, Etho, Scar, and Zed. It was like half the circus had come for me.
That thought was intimidating.
“What are you guys doing here,” I asked, feeling a little shy with all those eyes on me. They weren’t unkind, but there was a firmness there. It almost made me feel like a child about to be scolded. “Shouldn’t you all be getting ready? The show’s about to start…”
“Which is why you shouldn’t be worrying about my plane,” Grian said with a smirk.
I shrank back. “I know I won’t have it done in time, but I can still fix it up for you,” I offered. “I can get it up and running for you by the next performance night.”
“Or Mumbo can,” Doc said firmly. “Or me. Or Tango-
“Or me,” Etho butt in. “I heard you’ve been the one doing the maintenance on my wheel of death. You know I can handle that on my own.”
“Or all of us together, even,” Doc continued, one corner of his mouth pulling up into a half smile. “At a time that works for us and without… ehm… without overworking ourselves…”
“And you don’t have to worry about the pen,” Gem chimed in. “You should have told me you had so much on your plate. My silly little idea isn’t that important.”
“But Gem,” I say, climbing out over the plane’s side. “It isn’t a silly idea. I want to help you out.”
Scar nodded. “We know. And we know that you’re really good at what you do. You helped save the day first thing this morning, after all. But we don’t want you going and over-exerting yourself.”
This was starting to sound like an intervention. My eyes went to Tango and Zed, who had been silent up until now. Tango was guiltily looking down at his feet, not willing to meet my gaze. Zed, though, stepped up and spoke up.
“Tango told us about how you didn’t eat today.” Now it was my turn to feel guilty. My stomach growled just then as if Zed’s words had reminded me that it was empty. Gem and Grian even looked a little ashamed of themselves as well, rubbing at their arms and looking at anything other than me.
“And I know you didn’t sleep last night,” Zed continued. He gave me an impish grin as he added teasingly, “kept me up all night with that racket a few carts down. But at least I still got a few winks of shut-eye.”
I sighed. It didn’t seem as bad as they were making it out to be. I was just trying to help. There was a lot to do, sure, but I could get it all done if I just kept at it.
They were making some good points here, though. So I tried to put myself in their shoes. If one of them hadn’t slept all night or eaten at all the next day, I suppose I would be concerned too. “I guess I am a little hungry…”
“A little?” Tango finally managed to look at me. He couldn’t resist the urge to poke fun, and that made him a little bolder. “I could hear your stomach growling all the way from the other side of the big top.”
As if to highlight his point, my stomach growled once more. I laughed. Some of the others even laughed along with me.
It was like someone had flipped a switch. The tension left the room in a rush. Everyone’s mood immediately lightened. Everything was going to be alright.
“Come on, you,” Zed said, throwing one arm around my shoulder. I let the toolbox drop from my hand as he and Tango led me towards the door. “Let’s get you something to stuff in your gob. Me and Tango brought back something from dinner for you that we think you’ll like.”
“That will be perfect. I can heat it up while you guys go onstage.”
Tango nudged me in the ribs with his elbow. “Oh no you don’t. You’re going to eat, and the three of us are going to hang out.”
“But your acts-?”
“Are later in the show,” Tango said, cutting me off. “Bdubs or someone can come get us when it’s almost time to perform.”
“And after that, you need to go to sleep, mister," Grian said, following behind. “Leave the plane until tomorrow. Doc and Etho already offered to help, so you better let them.”
“And you really don’t have to worry about the pen,” Gem added. She elbowed Scar in the shoulder as he rolled up alongside her. “Me and Scar talked it out and I managed to convince him to start with a few animals!”
Scar nodded. “She drove a hard bargain, but I think we can make it work. And a petting zoo will make a nice addition for the kids.”
I would have gladly helped with her animal pen idea, but I wasn’t too disappointed with the fact that I no longer had to build an animal pen. It was good that the two of them worked it out. And it was a relief that Grian didn’t seem to mind that he would be sitting tonight’s show out. Oh well. No barnstorming performance tonight.
But now that I finally had the chance to think of something other than the next job I needed to get done, it dawned on me how exhausted I really was. I found myself yawning, looking forward to a chance to sit down. Hopefully I could stay awake long enough to eat the food Zed and Tango had saved for me.
With another yawn, I brought my arms up around Tango and Zed’s back and pulled them in tight.
“Thanks guys.”
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