diff --git a/startup/99-helper_functions.py b/startup/99-helper_functions.py
index 8eece69..0a84907 100644
--- a/startup/99-helper_functions.py
+++ b/startup/99-helper_functions.py
@@ -34,7 +34,17 @@ def ct_dark_all_patch(frames=None):
 
 
 def pol_L(pol, epu_cal_offset=None, epu_table_number=None):
-    
+    """A helper bluesky plan to change vertical and horizontal poloarization
+
+    Parameters:
+    -----------
+    pol : string
+        'H' or 'V' for horizontal (epu phase = 0) or vertical (epu phase = 24.6) polarization for CSX's undulator
+    epu_cal_offset : float
+        offset to tune the precice epu gap for a paricular energy using a particular epu calibration table
+    epu_table_number : int
+        epu calibration table
+    """    
 
     current_E = pgm.energy.setpoint.get()
 
@@ -59,7 +69,7 @@ def pol_L(pol, epu_cal_offset=None, epu_table_number=None):
     
     
     yield from bps.mv(diag6_pid.enable,1) # finepitch feedback ON
-    yield from bps.sleep(1)
+    yield from bps.sleep(0.1)
 
 def pol_C(pol, epu_cal_offset=-267, epu_phase=None):
     '''This circular polarization change uses the horizontal polarization table and will force this table.  
@@ -112,7 +122,15 @@ def md_info(default_md = RE.md):
         print(f'    {info:_<30} : {val}')
     print('\n\n Use \'md_info()\' or \'RE.md\' to inspect again.')
 
-def mvslt3(size=None): #TODO make a better version for slt3.pinhole child
+def mvslt3(size=None): #TODO make a better version for slt3.pinhole child    
+    """A helper bluesky plan to move to different pinhole diameters for slit 3.
+
+    Parameters:
+    -----------
+    size : int
+        pinhole size in microns.  options are 2000, 50, 20, and 10.  if None, then the current pinhole is returned.
+
+    """
     #x Mtr.OFF = 4.88, y Mtr.OFF = -0.95
     holes = {2000: (  8.800,  0.000),    #TODO eventually have IOC to track these values
                50: (  0.000,  0.000),
@@ -166,3 +184,19 @@ def wait_for_peaks(pool_interval, timeout, peaks, peaks_fields=None):
                 break
             else:
                 yield from bps.sleep(pool_interval)
+
+def _block_beam(block_beam_bit): ##TODO move this to a child of inout
+    if block_beam_bit: 
+        if inout.status.get() =="Not Inserted":
+            yield from mv(inout, "In")
+    else:
+        if inout.status.get() =="Inserted":
+            yield from mv(inout, "Out")
+
+def block_beam():
+    yield from _block_beam(1)
+def show_beam():
+    yield from _block_beam(0)
+
+beam_block = block_beam
+beam_show = show_beam
diff --git a/startup/csx1/startup/settings.py b/startup/csx1/startup/settings.py
index 84a6c75..bb8a186 100644
--- a/startup/csx1/startup/settings.py
+++ b/startup/csx1/startup/settings.py
@@ -35,6 +35,8 @@
     # getattr(sclr.channels, f'chan{i}').kind = 'normal' will remove the
     # hinted fields from LivePlot and LiveTable.
 
+
+
 def relabel_fig(fig, new_label):
     fig.set_label(new_label)
     fig.canvas.manager.set_window_title(fig.get_label())
@@ -42,6 +44,7 @@ def relabel_fig(fig, new_label):
 # fccd.hints = {'fields': ['fccd_stats1_total']}
 for i in [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]:
     getattr(fccd, f'stats{i}').total.kind = 'hinted'
+fccd.mcs.read_attrs = fccd.mcs.read_attrs[0:7] #silences the channels we do not use (7-32)
 
 # cam_dif.hints = {'fields' : ['cam_dif_stats3_total','cam_dif_stats1_total']}
 for i in [1, 3]: