PowerSystem
Power System
The power system in composed of a 40,000 watt diesel generator. This system is somewhat delicate and complex. It is advised that if there is a problem with the system that you locate one of the Camp Electrical Engineers or David Braun to assist.
The system provides power to the entirety of the village. It is a 3 phase 120V generator. That means that each of the hot legs puts out 120V but if you were attempting to use 2 hot legs as in a residential application, you would get 208V, not 240V as you might expect. We may in the future implement a 208 to 240V transformer, but do not have one at this time.
Each leg is capable of putting out 200 amps for short periods of time. It is generally best to keep the loads under 160 amps per leg. All output from the generator is wired to the breaker panel. There are 3 banks of 70 amp breakers. These control the three banks of plugs on the back of the generator.
The generator is started via control panel behind the access door. You will also find engine monitoring and fault lamps on this control panel.
The generator sits atop a 200 gal fuel tank. You can read the fuel level via a gauge that is just inside the second access door. Also inside this door is a switch that activates the fuel fill pump. This pumps fuel from the 150 gallon trailer mounted tank into the generator's main tank. We have the trailer tank filled by BMORG since it is easier to access and it provides a fail-safe reserve system. We believe that the generator consumes about 2.5 gal. of fuel per hour or 60 gallons per day. That means that there is about a 3 day supply in the main tank. It is intended that we refill the main tank daily. The process takes about 6 minutes as the pump can transfer about 10 gallons per minute.
Refilling process:
1. Remove fuel cap on main tank inside generator housing. 2. Insert float stick 3. Activate pump using switch 4. No NOTHING ELSE besides monitor the tank level for about 6 minutes. 5. When the float stick begins to rise, carefully monitor the tank level until you can see the fuel at about 2" below the top of the tank. 6. Shut off the pump and replace the filler cap.
Monitoring
There is an external coolant temperature gauge and an oil pressure gauge. These are probably the most important items to be aware of. If anyone wandering by sees that they are exceeding their normal levels, they should find someone with knowledge of the system and alert them.