We've got our own problems at least at bay for now, so are able to take a look around at how the systems work here at Also Island. It's a blend of primitive with modern, low and high tech. The approach is to decide what constitutes quality of life, how much "progress" is needed, and then apply the most effective solution to achieve the goal. The buildings are European style, Fijian construction. That means timber framed, generally plywood sided, and roofed with galvanized corrugated iron sheets. The ground is generally steep and rocky, and the local builders aren't that particular about setting up level and plumb. They mostly cut to fit, bend trusses to get the sheeting to fit, and don't get fussed about small cracks as long as it doesn't rain in too much. There are three electrical systems. Jim isn't much of a fan of hand tools, and power tools need a good bit of AC electricity, so all during the work day, the audible background is dominated by the steady pounding of a single cylinder Lister diesel turning a 230 volt generator, supplying the European/NZ/Australian standard power system to the house, shop and office. But being American. Jim and Kyoko brought a lot of US standard 115 volt equipment, so there's also a second AC wiring system with outlets to accomodate US, Canadian and Japanese products. That system runs from the generator via a stepdown transformer. After hours, of course, when socializing, eating, doing office work or watching a DVD the generator would be unbearably intrusive. (It's bad enough while working in the shop!) So there are two battery banks which charge from the generator during the day, then run a set of 12 volt lights, the laptop computer, and fans during the evening and night. For appliances that need either 115 or 230 volt AC power at this time, there are an assortment of inverters to turn battery power back into AC. The refrigerator will run on 230 volts, but would put too much of a load on the battery/inverter system through the night, so it runs on propane gas.
The water system is fed from rain collection off the sizable roof area of the complex. It is guttered to a 500 gallon tank behind the kitchen building, and when that is filling up a pump is turned on to transfer part of it to a 2000 gallon tank up on the hill. That supplies plenty of pressure for the sinks, shower and toilet. However, the 2nd day we were here, the big tank mysteriously turned out to be empty. Jim and I have devoted several hours now to testing the whole system for leaks, but none are to be found. In the meantime, since it isn't raining, we're supplying the compound from the river at the village, a half mile from the Island. Daily a couple of us load some 25 jugs of assorted size and shape into one of the small boats, take some hose in 3 sizes with which to jury rig a feed from the continuously running PVC pipe that brings water to Thawaro, and wind our way up the channel to the jetty. It has to be done within 3 hours of high tide, or we can't get the boat to the jetty, and filling and loading takes about 40 minutes, so part of every day is preempted with the need for fresh water for washing, cooking and drinking. It's a good thing Don sent the 5HP outboard with me as a gift to the Island, as that's now the only small motor left running other than Karen's dinghy motor. The water run would be quite a hassel with paddles and poles to move the boat.
We've decided the big tank is too high on the hill anyway, so while it's empty, Pita nd Solomani are moving it down to a new pad. Should be done tomorrow. After that, pray for rain!
Ted
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