Seismology Lab Onan Generator Operation

	The Seismology Lab of the Geophysics Program at the University of 
Washington has an Onan generator available to run critical earthquake 
monitoring, data storage, and analysis equipment in case of a power outage 
on campus. The UPS which is running this equipment now has batteries to 
operate the equipment for about 45 minutes. In the event that the outage 
will last longer than this, the generator should be started and put online 
to replace line power to the UPS.

The following equipment is backed up by the UPS:
	1. 4 Sun CPUs, Verme,Spike,Wiggles and Waggles, and their data 
multiplexers and one external disk drive and serial line driver on Wiggles 
and verme.
	2. All discriminator racks with power supplies.
	3. Test equipment to monitor incoming data.
	4. Helicorders with amplifiers.
	5. WWVB receiver time code generator.
	6. VSAT transceiver
	7. Mainstreet T1 transceiver
	8. LSI-11 multiplexer for NEIC to receive 12 stations' data via the VSAT
	9. Cisco terminal server and six 28.8 modems.
	10. Radio receivers on the roof.
	11. Console terminal for Wiggles  and Waggles.

The following items may be added to the UPS:(added 1997)
	1. Sparc workstation
	2. Multiport hub for enet access

The total wattage should not exceed 5000W. The total power use can be 
monitored at the display panel on the UPS, which is located near the 
discriminator racks in room 146b.

The general power switchover proceedure is as follows:
	1. Start generator ( for starting instructions see below).
	2. After warm-up and generator seems to be running smoothly, plug the 
power cable coiled on the wall above the generator into the outlet on the 
frame of the generator.
	3. On the wall behind the UPS unplug the large round 50Amp connector by 
twisting ccw and pulling out and move plug over to the red outlet box next 
to it and twistlock in place.
	4. Switch the large switch above the outlet box to the ON position, so 
that the red part of the handle knob faces  out.
	5. Monitor the UPS to see if it detects line power and if it re-syncs
 and switches from battery backup.
	6. Reverse this proceedure when line power comes back on.

Generator starting  and re-fueling instructions.
	The generator is located in the cage against the wall just off the 
loading dock. It is chained and locked and requires a 389 key  (standard 
field station lock). Keys for cage and gas box are on wall behind UPS.
	1. Open cage to access generator.
	2. Check the oil level. Check fuel level in attached tank. Fuel up if 
necessary. There  is  a locked flamable liquids storage cabinet on the 
loading dock. Key is with gen. cage key by UPS.
	3. Make sure inline valves for external gas tank are closed. 
	4. Open the stopcock just below the tank. (small T-shaped thumbscrew)
	5. Pull out the choke lever all the way.	
	6. Push starter button until engine sputters. If no battery is attached 
for starter then pull the starter cord. To pull the cord, the generator 
should be moved out of the cage a little further so your elbow won't hit 
the wall. This takes both hands and may take several pulls before sputter.
	7. Push the choke lever in  about halfway and push starter button or 
pull cord again. The engine should start.
	8. Push choke lever all the way in. You may have to play the choke 
lever until engine doesn't falter.
	9. Wait a moment to see if engine is going to run, and then plug in the 
power cord hanging on the wall.
	10. Attach the external gas tank hose to the nipple at the external 
valve connection and open the two inline valves on either side of the filter 
bowl. Squeeze the primer bulb until you know that the gas has filled the 
bowl and entered the supply line. This external tank should lay flat so 
that the fuel level gauge works. Make sure the vent on the tank is open. 
By squeezing the primer bulb, and having the fixed tank stopcock open, you 
can refill the fixed tank so when first attaching the external tank, and 
the fixed tank is full, be careful not to overflow the fixed tank while 
priming the external fuel line.
	11.Close the stopcock to the fixed tank to save this gas as a reserve 
while refueling the external tank. Do not squeeze priming pump bulb when 
the fixed tank stopcock is closed as this puts too much pressure on the 
float chamber valve.

To refuel the external tank without interupting the generator, open the 
stopcock below the fixed tank and shut the two inline valves and 
disconnect the quick-release hose from the external tank connection. Move 
the external tank away from the generator and fill it up from one of the 
full gas cans. Reattach the hose, open the valves, squeeze prime the line, 
and shut the fixed tank stopcock.
	The generator should run approximately 1hr/gal at 5000W usage, 
longer at lower wattage.
	Make sure all cans of flamable liquid (gas) and oil are kept in the 
flamable liquids cabinet and that this cabinet remain locked even during 
operation of the generator.

	If you have questions, contact Jim Ramey.


rev3--2/18/98