The Generator
The generator is necessary to operate the 110 Volt devices such as the vacuum and battery chargers (see below). Go to the Honda EU 2000i generator outside the tool room and start the generator to provide 110 volt AC electricity.
To start, turn the switch ON, the choke ON and pull the recoil starter.
Check the oil every 8 hours and change every 24 hours of use. There is additional oil in the tool room by the door. If the generator stops and has gas, check for low oil.

Battery Charging
Battery charging is necessary after about 3 days of clouds (unusual). Normally the batteries are charged by the sun daily. The batteries will need to be charged when the voltage on the white charge controller above the DC panel in the entry foyer falls to 12.0 volts or less. Push the green button on the charge controller to light the display, the voltage is the top right reading. Also if the 12 volt power suddenly goes off, the batteries need to be charged. Start the generator, plug in the large battery charger and charge for 2 hours.

Wood Heating Stove
A wood heating stove in the upstairs living room works well for the chilly nights of January and February. The key to using it is to start a fire and then close and lock the doors. Regulate the fire by closing the two horizontal windows on the bottom of the doors. Please be careful of the door gasket when moving wood in and ashes out; it is easily damaged and absolutely necessary. We'd appreciate it if you would leave the wood pile as you found it. There is a good pruning saw in the tool room and fire wood is everywhere on the ground.

Marine Radio
When using the marine radio, channel 16 is used to make initial contact only.  Further conversation must take place on another channel.  The Coast Guard, Lee County Sheriff, water taxis and tow boats all monitor channel 16 and are always available for EMERGENCY  HELP !

Weather channels are available by pressing WX and using the arrow keys. 

Please turn off the radio when not in use; just monitoring channels drains the house batteries. 

See the Lowrance LVR-850 Operating Instructions for details of operation.

The Water
The water is very hard. The water is fine for showers and dishes, BUT WE BRING IN DRINKING WATER.   During dry times the water is not as good as during wet times.

If the water flow slows or stops at the vanity or kitchen sink or both, remove and clean the aerator by soaking in Lime Away.

If the water flow stops and there is good pressure at the hose connection in front of the tool room and the pump goes off when the hose connection is closed, the filters are dirty.  Close off the valves at the inlet and outlet of the filters. There is a special filter wrench which fits around the blue plastic filter housing and will unscrew the housing by turning counter clockwise when looking up from the ground.  The filter on the left (first) is the string wound, 1 micron filter and the right(second) is the charcoal filter which eliminates the hydrogen sulfide or rotten egg smell.

If the water flow stops and there is good pressure at the hose connection and the pump does not go off when the hose connection is closed, the pump has lost its prime.  Turn off the valve at the inlet to the filters and open the valve at the hose connection.  When a good flow occurs at the hose connection, close it and open the valve at the filter inlet.

Take soap for a bath in the ocean as a good alternative.

Drinking water is available in the  park, see The Park below.
 
The Cabinet
The cabinet to the left of the pantry, in the kitchen, has the black three ring binder with the manuals for everything. If you want to set stations on the tuner, set the clock on the TV etc. you'll find it in this binder. Please return everything to its original location.

The Club Car Carryall 272

It has a canopy top and an all aluminum frame/chassis and rear body and an acrylic laminate front body, 13 horse power, 18 mph top speed, with gas gage, 7 gallon gas tank, hour meter, head lights, locking differential (it should be locked when in soft sand and is located between the seats), hand operated parking brake (which should never be set for storage as it may freeze in the locked position), brake pedal, gas pedal, key start etc. Take a few moments to get familiar with the features and Operating Instructions before driving. The Carryall has an automatic transmission, so all you do is put the Forward/Reverse Handle in Neutral, with the choke in your left hand pulled out when cold and released when started , then start the engine with the key, then release the hand brake, put the Forward/Reverse Handle in Forward, push on the gas pedal on your right; the brake pedal is on the left.

We try to leave it with a full tank of gas and there should also be 6 gallons of gas at the house. Any additional is the renter’s responsibility. Jaclynn is helpful.

PLEASE DRIVE VERY CAREFULLY! Many of the island vehicles have no brakes and meeting them or a child on a speeding ATV (not uncommon) on one of the blind curves has been and can be a disaster.

Check the oil level dipstick at least every other day. It can be reached from under the passenger seat.  There is more Mobil 1 oil in the tool room. DO NOT OVER FILL.

STOP; if the low-oil warning light is ON, let the engine idle until light goes out.  The light will go out when the engine is warmed up. 

The Carryall is great transportation to the beach. Park in the parking area/turn around just before you get to the beach. DO NOT DRIVE ON THE BEACH, you will destroy turtle and bird nests
1.  Only park vehicles are allowed on the beach; the salt water and sand is very harmful to the Carryall. 
2.  Also if you go north towards the State Park, only Park vehicles are allowed on the main east-west Park road.
3. When going north, turn after "Residents Only" to the east and go over the Service Road (by permission of Ranger Barry Stevens) and park just before the main Park road.  Take a wagon for water and ice.  They have great t-shirts, brochures, cold drinks, ice and fresh water at an outside hydrant just behind the bathrooms.  The t-shirts are a great remembrance of the island.
See the Hand Drawn Map  .

Carryall Rental Terms and Conditions

Repairs are very expensive on the island. Just transporting the Carryall to the mainland and back will cost at least $1200, plus the cost of repairs. Bringing a mechanic out to the island will cost 4 hours pay plus the actual time and parts and the time going back and getting the parts etc.  You are responsible for any and all damage to and theft of the Carryall.