Water:

1. Early in the day (i.e. before anyone starts using water heavily), record the level of the internal water tank in gallons
2. Fill the internal water tank by flipping the external water pump switch (lower one). Wait 5 to 10 seconds and then flip the internal water pump switch (upper one). The delay is to allow water to fill the line and reach the internal pump before it activates. Note that the tank will refill slowly; you must give it time.
3. When the internal tank reaches the 55 gallon line, flip both switches off. Do not overfill the internal tank.
4. For calculations, the amount of water used for the previous day is 55-(the recorded water level)-(the water added to the toilet supply tank). Note that the recorded water level and the water added to the TST are documented on two different days.
5. Record the high height and low height levels of the water in the external tank. Most of the time, there is a linear correlation of the numbers, but I have encountered instances when this was not the case.

If the water does not flow:

• The external tank may be too low or the pump may be too near the surface of the water.
• Ice may be blocking the pipe connecting the external tank to the Hab.

For the toilet supply tank:

• The optimal water level is between the two orange tape marks.
• The TST will drain with each flush of the toilet (i.e. keep flushes to a minimum).
• To refill the TST, use the switch by the tank to refill from the GreenHab.
  
  • If the GreenHab water levels are too low, use the captured water from the leaks for the TST. Otherwise, use the captured water for dishes and other tasks to allow the water to flow into the GreenHab.
  • If the GreenHab is unable to supply enough water to fill the TST, Hab water may be needed. The quantity of water used should be listed in the engineering report.

The Hab Pressure Pump switch increases the water pressure for faster outflow of the internal tank. This pump is noisy and only turns on when needed. Typically, we turned it off overnight and for most times during the day, as high water pressure was unnecessary.

The water heater takes about 20-30 minutes to heat up the water for use in the shower. Remember to turn the hot water heater off when it is not in use, to prevent it from being burned up.

Lil' Genny:

This is the backup gasoline generator, in case the China Special fails. Definitely start this with every "China Special" oil change, every odd numbered day, to verify that it still works. To refill, use the red gasoline containers on the water trailer. For oil, it uses the same oil as the ATVs and the China Special.

Before Starting:

• Check the fuel level of the tank on the top of the generator
• Check the oil level. The oil is full if you see the oil in the threads of the plug.

To Start:

1. Turn the fuel line on. (the red knob in the center front of the generator.)
2. Flip the switch on the left side to the run position
3. If necessary, use the choke lever to add more gas when starting
4. Use the pull rope to start the generator
5. If necessary, slowly cut the choke
6. Let the generator run while you are servicing the Diesel "China Special", then flip the kill switch
7. Reset the choke and fuel line

China Special:

This is the main diesel power generator. It has an extremely poor design, which I will discuss later. To refill the fuel, use the yellow diesel containers. For oil, it uses the same as the ATVs and the Lil' Genny. Do this after you service the "Lil' Genny"

Procedure for checkup:

1. Inform Hab that power will be cut shortly.
2. Flip the power supply switch to 'off' to cut power to the Hab.
3. Press kill switch release button to stop the generator.
4. Turn the ignition key to off.
5. Switch power lead to "Lil' Genny".
6. Start "Lil' Genny" using above procedure.
7. Record the number of hours for both GenSets on the Engineering packet.
8. Fill the diesel tank of the generator using the orange funnel, if necessary.
9. Drain Oil.
10. Clean filter screen.
11. Have a cup of coffee. (Let the Genset cool.)
12. Fill with one qt oil.
13. Look to see if there is an oil leak, the level itself doesn't need to be checked.
14. Inform Hab that power will be cut shortly.
15. Shut Down "Lil' Genny" as per above instructions.
16. Return power cable to "China Special".
17. Flip the kill switch to the run position.
18. Start the generator using the ignition key.
19. Let the generator run for a minute or two and then flip the power supply switch to restore power to the Hab.
20. Check with the Hab for confirmation of restoration of power.
21. Record the output voltage level from the gauge.
22. Record Fuel used/remaining, Oil used/remaining and anything else out of the ordinary.

This procedure is to be followed on Odd numbered days.

Refueling procedure is the same, except omit steps 5,6 and 9-14.

The female jack on the diesel generator is an L14-20 plug. Note that this is different from the female jack on the gasoline generator, which is an L14-30 plug. The Hab power cable has a male L14-30 plug. An adapter connects the Hab power cable to the diesel generator. The power cable must be disconnected from the adapter before it can be plugged into the gasoline generator. If the cable will not pull directly out easily, twist the plug to the left or right and pull, as it may be locked in place by the L-shaped prong.

According to manufacturer's specifications, the oil in the China Special must be changed every other day. This is a pain and will generate a lot of waste oil. It also means that the oil level will not have to be checked while the generator is operating, since it will be replaced within a short span of time.

Tips for changing oil:

• One quart of oil is needed for the refill
• Currently, the generator is sitting on top of a rock shelf. This prevents a container from being placed too deeply under the drain. Additionally, the slope of a funnel is too small, and oil will backflow into the motor mount.
• When the propane tanks are removed, the diesel generator should be moved to the other side of the wall.

At this time, a funnel and bucket system should be installed to make draining the oil much easier. Right now, a small cup can be used to transfer oil from the motor to a 5 gallon bucket. Use the oil release screw to regulate the outflow of the oil, as the pressure of the oil will cause it to flow right into the support bar of the generator. (The China Special is very poorly designed, which I mentioned earlier).

The generator either will not operate or will operate poorly in inclement weather. The cover is designed to redirect vertical precipitation away from the generator. Long poles of rebar are embedded in the ground. Steel pipes hold the cover in place and are placed around the rebar. When the generator is moved, the cover should either be moved with it or redesigned. Any design should be able to withstand possible winds of 50-60 mph.

If you want a good laugh, read over the labels on top of the generator very carefully. There is an incorrect word on the label that makes it kind of funny.

All Terrain Vehicles:

The three ATVs are very easy to maintain. The most difficult thing that I found was repairing a leaky tire, which in itself was rather simple. All require oil from time to time and run on gasoline. The gasoline gauge has three values, empty, 1/2, and full. The two lines, not the letters, represent empty and full.

ATVs #2 and #3 have broken battery switches, so they are taped permanently in the on position. To prevent constant drain on the batteries, the ground cable is unhooked. You can run the ATV without hooking up the battery and pull starting it, but it will be underpowered and will not function optimally.

To hook up the battery:

1. Pull on the seat release cord at the rear of the ATV
2. Lift the seat off
3. Unscrew the ground screw and hook up the ground cable
4. ATV #3 only: the battery bracket screw is missing, make sure the bracket is lined up in its correct place
5. Line up the U-bracket with the plastic tick on the seat. Note that the seat will lock in place if this isn't lined up, but it will rock and not appear correct.