September 19, 2005 

Gilbert Lodge Chief Engineer, Mark Persons, poses next to a new off-peak electric water heater.  This unit is in series with the existing natural gas water heater.  The idea is to take advantage of off-peak (half-priced electricity) to reduce energy costs for water heating.    

Yes, an electrical permit was required to add off-peak electricity for the new water heater.  Behind Mark is a new off-peak electrical panel with the cover off.  The panel on the right is for continuous power.  As usual, Mark did all of the wiring.  

You will find another off-peak panel in the Gilbert Lodge Tech Room.  In all, there are eight electrical distribution panels at the Lodge.       

In order to connect the new off-peak power meter, the city shut off all power to Gilbert Lodge for one-hour and 28-minutes.  This was not a problem because the Kohler 22 KW automatic backup power generator ran while Gilbert Lodge Chief Engineer, Mark Persons, was busy adding a power conduit and wiring between the original power meter and the new off-peak power meter.  Mark used a Milwaukee brand right-angle drill to cut the initial hole, then a Greenlee hole punch.          

Brainerd City Electrical Inspector, James Herman, did the final inspection and was pleased with the installation.  

Gilbert Lodge now has two power meters.  One is for regular power and the other is for off-peak water heating, which is billed to the Lodge at about half the cost of regular power.  

Questions, Comments?