Power & internet · Anytime
Starting & Stopping the Generator
The cabin runs on two power sources: the solar panels, and a propane generator that tops up the batteries. Use the generator on a cloudy day when the battery is low, or when snow is covering the solar panels.
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Good to know
- Two switches turn the generator on: one in the closet under the main stairs, one on the outside wall of Grandma and Grandpa's bathroom in the Addition.
- They're three-way switches, so up or down doesn't mean on or off. Just flip one.
- The generator key hangs in the water heater closet.
Step by step
2 steps
Flip a generator switch and listen
Leave a door open so you can hear the generator outside, then flip either switch.
If it shuts off after 30 seconds, try again
If it runs longer than 30 seconds, you're done. If it shuts off after about 30 seconds, flip the switch again. If it shuts off a second time, start it manually.
Starting the generator manually
- Get the generator key from the water heater closet.
- Unlock the generator door with the key and open it.
- Flip the switch inside from AUTO up to RUN.
- Let it run for 1–2 hours to charge the batteries.
- Come back and flip the switch back to AUTO. The indoor switches only work when it's on AUTO.
If it won't start on RUN: charge its battery
- The generator's starter battery may be dead. Remove the side panel with a 10 mm socket.
- Get the battery charger from the generator shed. It works like jumping a car.
- Connect the red clamp to the positive (+) terminal and the black clamp to the negative (−) terminal.
- Run an extension cord from the shed, plug the charger in, switch it on and let it charge for a few hours. Then try RUN again.
Tips
- Fun fact from the video: the generator shed is the same shed from the end of Twister.
What the switch inside looks like
Normally the switch inside the generator is set to AUTO. RUN is for starting it by hand.
Note
The on-screen caption in the video says black to positive and red to negative. That's reversed from the standard hookup; this page uses red to positive. Check the charger's own labels.
