Valhalla A-Frame User’s Manual
Introduction
The Valhalla A-Frame is an off-grid 144-square-foot cabin sitting on a natural shelf about halfway up Huckleberry Hill. It is accessed by a 10 ft wide 350 foot gravel road. It has a 12x12 wooden deck and picnic table in front of the building and also features a fire circle. It was constructed from 2020-2024 mainly from Valhalla materials. Parking for two cars is provided. The road may be inaccessible during certain times of the year and guests may need to walk in via the 350 ft roadway. This is a non-smoking building.
1 Power and Lights
Power is derived from three solar panels connected to three car batteries. They pick up sunlight from the East and West directions and the batteries are kept charged with a solar controller.
The main power switch is located inside the far-right-hand cabinet door and marked with red tape. This is the first thing to turn on when you arrive.
Six light switches on the wall in the back right corner allow you to switch on various lights, the water pump and the Bluetooth stereo.
Next to the front door are two switches that control the kitchen lights and the deck flood lights. A digital voltmeter is always on at the top of the panel in the corner and indicates the battery voltage. It should always read 11-14 volts. Guests should be aware of how many lights they are using as the battery capacity is finite. Two USB outlets are available on the back corner and one upstairs at the head of the beds along with reading lights. Two cigar lighter outlets are located on the sidewalls for other 12-volt accessories. Remember: Battery life is limited. Turn off all non essential lights and dim the kitchen lights when possible.
2 Heat
Heat for the building is supplied by a small wood stove. Guests should know how to lay a fire, light it, feed it and regulate the air to it for a healthy and safe heat source. It is extremely important to keep all combustibles at least two feet from the stove.
This is the main cause of house fires. The stove will also become extremely hot to the touch and will burn your hand if touched. The handle on the door and air control are the only parts safe to touch.
Be aware that loading too much wood may cause the building to become uncomfortably warm. If this happens, open the upstairs window a bit. Conversely, the fire may go out in the middle of the night and the building could become cold even though it is well-insulated. If guests are not familiar with how to lay, light, and maintain a fire in a stove, please check Appendix 1, “How to Lay a Fire and Start a Fire in a Wood Stove without a Problem “
3 Water
Water is derived from the Valhalla spring-fed water system from March to November. Guests staying during other times will need to bring their own water. The water pump should be turned on at the switch panel in the battery compartment while staying at the AFrame. This will boost the water pressure at the sink and the shower when the water faucet is turned on. There is a hose bib near the fire circle and a 5 gal water bucket nearby.
4 Toilet
The A-frame features a Swedish Separett composting toilet. This is a sit-down toilet for both men and women. It is built so that urine is captured and drained away along with the sink drain and icebox water. Other toilet waste is captured in a receptacle with a compostable bag. This is a waterless and odorless toilet. We still recommend a cup of water be poured down the front drain after use.
A small fan dries the waste and blows odors out through the vent pipe. When first used, the fan should be switched on using the fan switch located in the right-hand battery cabinet. It should be left on for the remainder of your stay.. If you listen, you can hear a muffled sound of the fan running.
The smart design features a toilet bowl that directs urine to the gray water system, while solid waste is contained within a large bucket with a compostable liner bag. The vent fan promotes drying and odor control, ensuring a hygienic environment. This waterless toilet is not only a leap towards sustainability but also carries the ETL certification.You should not need to open the toilet during your stay.
5 Cooking and Stove
The kitchen area features a built-in two-burner propane stove. Go around behind the building and turn on the valve on top of the white propane tank. (Counterclockwise) Push down the burner knob and turn on the burner. It should start clicking and light. then use the knob to select the amount of heat. The stove requires a D cell to run the lighter. If the stove will not light, try it again, you should hear the clicking of the electric lighter. If it will not light, use a match or contact the owner.
In the case of a malfunction, the propane shutoff is under the sink on the right, a yellow valve. Sufficient camping cookware for most stays is stored in three drawers below the stove.
6 Refrigerator
Built into the kitchen countertop, the A-Frame features a large drop-in ice box. Bring one or two bags of ice with you and when you arrive, place them in the icebox for your food items requiring refrigeration. Meltwater will drain into the greywater drain system.
7 Hot water and Shower
The propane instant hot water heater is located on a post behind the building for safety. The hot water heater has an on off switch on the bottom and the boost pump switch in the battery cabinet must be on.
The shower is located on the back wall of the building and has an on-off valve at chest height. Turn on the valve and water will begin to flow. You should hear the clicking of the lighter and the heater will light off. Temperature will show on the front dial and you can set a comfortable temperature. Adjust the knobs on the front of the water heater for a comfortable temperature.
The kitchen sink hot water demand will also light the water heater.
Expect to turn on the water heater when you're needing hot water and turn off the switch on the bottom when not in use.
8 Loft
The loft is accessed with a removable ten-foot ladder with a retaining pin for safety. If you wish for more room, the retaining pin can be pulled out and the ladder moved.
In the loft, you will find two 4” memory foam mattresses.
Two reading lights and a USB outlet are mounted on the wall by the head of the beds. The window opens for ventilation. Bring sleeping bags, pillows, and a blanket. A fire escape is made from a long rope and sturdy ring is mounted on the ceiling near the window
The ladder is removable if you need more room. Just remove the pin that holds it stable and move the ladder outside
9 Amenities
-A fold-down table is mounted on the west wall. There are two buttons underneath to lower the table.
-A shortwave/ham radio wire antenna runs from the second floor 130’ to a tree up the hill, an antenna jack, and 12-volt power plugs are in a receptacle under the table. Bring your favorite shortwave radio for great mountain reception.
-A 40W Bluetooth Stereo is located in the battery compartment and switched on at the rear corner of the kitchen. Look for “GT6” on your streaming device. Five knobs on the stereo allow for adjustment of bass and treble. Switched from the main switch panel.
-Floodlights on the front deck Switched from inside the front door.
- Floodlight covering the rear porch area. Switched from the main switch panel.
- Kitchen overhead lights. Switched from inside the front door.
- Upper A Frame wall accent lighting switched from the main switch panel.
- Backsplash LED lighting switched from main switch panel
- Blue LED lighting wall wash under the east wall shelf switched from the main switch panel.
-A propane leak and carbon monoxide detector are mounted flush in the right-hand wall and come on with the main power. A small green light shows it is working.
- LED Voltmeter in the rear corner indicates battery health at all times.It should indicate 12-14 volts
-Fire circle outside and seating for four. Please keep your fire reasonable.
-Yellow handled hand axe for splitting kindling, kindly do not split kindling inside the building or on the deck.
More about building the A-Frame
10 Emergencies
- Fire: Fire extinguisher next to front door.
- Fire: Loft escape rope next to the upstairs window. If you are in the loft, and need to escape, throw rope out the window and slide to the ground.
-Call 911. Address 15819 Jordan Road, gravel road to the back.
Rev E 8/21/24
A Frame Quick Start Instructions
