Feature Powerhouse & Utilities

SAFE HARBOUR AT Charlotte Lake BC

Feature:
Powerhouse & Utilities

Powerhouse

Affectionately called Lottsawatts Power Company, the powerhouse sits well back on the property from the main cabin.

This location was chosen so utility support facilities of propane and fuel tanks, fuel shed, work and storage sheds would not impact the pristine settings and views of the cabins. Out of sight, out of mind so to speak. This building houses the solar equipment and generators and provides all electrical service to the property.

All power lines and gas lines are laid in underground deep ditching to all the cabins and sheds. Before filling in the ditches the lines were sand bedded, and board covered for the greatest protection.

Solar & Generator Power System

The 48-volt systems consist of 3 solar panel arrays, 3 solar chargers, a battery bank of 24 x 2V cell Douglas Legacy 85DL-27 High Performance batteries and a backup battery bank of 12 Surrett KS 25P 4-volt batteries.

DC power is inverted to AC power using Outback VFX Series Inverter/Charger 4-stack system supplying 120-V and 240-V power. There is a duplicate parallel Outback 4-stack inverter/charger back up system. Each 4-stack produces 14,400 watts and either stack can fully operate the system. For balanced usage they are routinely alternated.

Outback Inverters and solar chargers were installed in 2014 and the Douglas batteries in 2020. The Surrette’s are the original batteries installed in 2002 and still maintain sufficient power for back up or to perform maintenance on the Douglas bank. A Vulcan charger maintains charge to the Surrette’s when the generator is operating.

The system incorporates a 30KW propane fuelled Cummins generator and a 20KW diesel fuelled Isuzu generator. The 20KW Isuzu is the selected master generator and the Cummins is a standby backup. The system operates automatically. When battery voltage drops to a pre-set level, the generator will start and shut itself off once the charging cycle is complete. Automatic and thermostatically controlled vents regulate heat and fresh air within the building.