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2. a-c) Generator and Power for Main Area

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This item forms part of Book 2: UTILITIES

Generator, Power, Inverter, Flow Chart and the Earth Switch

Electrics for the Check-In Desk, Pavilion and Image Processing Pit

Power for the Recharging Station

Note that for a Star Party, these duties need to be carried out on the Thursday.
If you are not planning to arrive till the Friday or Saturday, please do not volunteer for any of these duties. Go back to the Volunteering Index and pick something else.

2. a) Generator, Power, Inverter, Flow Chart and the Earth Switch

Power and Cut-out

For regular weekends, no generator is used. All power is supplied by the solar system and batteries.

Charging of Electric Vehicles (EVs) is prohibited at all times.

  • INVERTER at Main Area: 
    • The cut-out on the inverter has been set to the maximum 23V setting to protect the batteries from being fully drained and damaged. 
    • The settings are described HERE (committee-member access only).
    • The User Manual for the inverter is HERE (committee member access only).
    • Under normal circumstances, these settings should not need to be touched.
  • A FLOW CHART showing the batteries, inverter and switching when the generator is plugged in is HERE (committee-member access only). 

Generator for SPSP and Earth Switch

During the Star Party, a hired generator is set up to the NW of the Main Shed. It needs to be plugged in to our system.

  1. Locate the 15 amp lead, with a large earth pin.
    Run this lead from the generator and plug it in to the socket on the outside of the Main Shed between the water tank and the roller door. Then the generator will switch over automatically when it starts, providing power to the Main Shed, the Recharging Station, and power points in the Breezeway.
  2. The earth-to-neutral link has a switch above the power box above the PA rack.
    The "NORMAL" setting, switch to the right, is for most of the year when no generator is connected (or when using a generator that does NOT have earth leakage).
    For the Star Party, remove the twist tie and flick the switch to the left when the hired generator is plugged into the socket on the outside of the Main Shed.

IMPORTANT NOTES

  • If the switch is not in the correct position, the generator will likely trip the earth-leakage circuit, thus stopping the generator.
  • When the switch is to the left, the generator must stay plugged in, even when not running.

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2. b) Electrics for the Check-In Desk, Pavilion and Image Processing Pit

  1. Run one long power lead to outside from one of the power points above the Solar Battery system in the Breezeway. It can be strung up to the rafter in the breezeway using double-sided velcro ties.
  2. Run this lead into the closest corner of the Pavilion.
  3. Attach a four-way power board to the lead and fasten up high in the pavilion.
  4. Plug in a short power lead to feed into the Check-In Tent.
  5. Mount the TV in this corner and plug it in.
  6. Plug in another lead to feed another power board, and mount it further along the end wall (behind the Astroimaging Comp panels).
  7. The second power board is to supply lights for the Astroimaging Competition photos and flexible red rope lights for the Pavilion. Loop the rope lights through the rings used for the side curtains.
  8. Use 2 power boards at the Check-In Desk.
  9. The scouts run their own lights direct from the generator.
  10. Set up the Image Processing Pit that backs onto the Check-In Tent.
    This will involve running power in and having power boards and an i-charging depot available on the tables.

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2. c) Power for the Recharging Station near the Roller Door

  1. Set up tables under/near the external power points on the outside of the Main Shed.
  2. Collect the box of leads marked "Recharging Station" from the Breezeway.
  3. At the external power points, plug in the leads with four single outlets that allow a better separation of power boards.
  4. Connect additional power boards as required. There should be sufficient in the box.
  5. Obtain some pens, sticky labels and a sign from the Check-In Desk so that users can label their equipment. Leave these on the table.

In the unlikely event that the main batteries go flat, it is possible to connect the society's small generator to the Recharging Station.

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