Ammo9
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Post by Ammo9 on Nov 11, 2016 19:24:59 GMT 10
So we have just had a bit of a storm roll through and we have our first blackout at our place.
Also the work(fire) radio is losing it's s*** with jobs... powerlines down, trees down, car accidents, lightning lighting things on fire, alarmed premises going crazy. Power company and police been called to every second job.
Glad I knocked off just before it all kicked off. But out of all my preps, nearly all my alternative cooking gear is still in melbourne. I've got an lpg burner but no gas... bugger.
Maybe I need less of the fun preps and to cover my basics.... whoops
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token
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Post by token on Nov 11, 2016 19:30:24 GMT 10
oh yer mate, nothing like a small disaster to check your setup and realize whats wanting.
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Ammo9
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Post by Ammo9 on Nov 11, 2016 19:56:29 GMT 10
Storm just came back with a vengeance, this is absolutely crazy
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Post by Joey on Nov 11, 2016 20:48:56 GMT 10
Yes but sometimes the simple things make it hard. Like where I live, a good storm comes through for 2 days and all roads into town are cut. And as usual Coles is sold out of bread, eggs, milk and toilet paper. And the bakery jacks their prices up as well. I try and use this to convince the woman to stock basic stuff so we don't have to join the rush, but no she won't see it. I'm not allowed to buy any more cans of baked beans until I've eaten all the ones I have left in the cupboard now lol. And with storm season fast approaching, I'm going to have to start to stock up in secret, but I've got nowhere to hide them in this unit, and the roof space isn't at good when today we hit 42 deg and it ain't even summer yet
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paranoia
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Post by paranoia on Nov 11, 2016 21:09:18 GMT 10
Yes but sometimes the simple things make it hard. Like where I live, a good storm comes through for 2 days and all roads into town are cut. And as usual Coles is sold out of bread, eggs, milk and toilet paper. And the bakery jacks their prices up as well. I try and use this to convince the woman to stock basic stuff so we don't have to join the rush, but no she won't see it. I'm not allowed to buy any more cans of baked beans until I've eaten all the ones I have left in the cupboard now lol. And with storm season fast approaching, I'm going to have to start to stock up in secret, but I've got nowhere to hide them in this unit, and the roof space isn't at good when today we hit 42 deg and it ain't even summer yet I came home with 24 cans of baked beans just yesturday (coles have heins for 80c at the moment btw!) and did get a look, but at least she realises we're actually saving cash and thats how I sell it. I solved the 'no more cans' rule by buying her another pantry shelf. Just need to get past the no more buckets of rice... Austemp, I try to cook at least one meal a week outside using prep foods. Is good practise and gets the kids involved Really good to see what you really need... I'm hoping to do a few blackout weekends soon as well, convince the missus we need to 'unplug'.
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Ammo9
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Post by Ammo9 on Nov 11, 2016 21:22:13 GMT 10
Just go outside and shut your power off. Pretend to call the power company and say it's going to last all night... classic stitch up.
My mrs says "if that's all 'just in case' food you need to move it out of my way". Shes short so the top shelves are my food storage. The garage is for bottled water and the spare bedroom... well what she doesn't know won't hurt her.
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Post by Joey on Nov 11, 2016 21:39:30 GMT 10
We are looking at moving house soon as the parking in this unit complex is just a nightmare, especially since some people have now moved into the unit opposite us and they have 2 cars. We are looking at this 3 bedroom house that I can use the 3rd room for my shelving and sewing room, so if I build a decent cutting table in there (pending the room big enough to fit shelf with incorporated reloading bench, sewing machine and cutting table[should be able to store materials in wardrobe]) then I can stash all the goodies under the bench, slabs of water, mountains of TP, cans etc
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Post by ziggysdad on Nov 11, 2016 22:12:35 GMT 10
Might sound ridiculous, but I could use a multi-day blackout to reinforce the benefits of being prepared.
The problem is that it would take a considerable amount of time to kill the fridges and freezers, then we'd need to work through all of the open stuff in the pantry (cereals, pasta, crackers, biscuits, etc.), so short of a SHTF scenario we'd never make it to the food preps.
Sure, the BBQ might get a good workout and I'd get to use some candles and batteries, but not much else.
My stockpiling is definitely geared to a TEOTWAWKI event...moving all this stuff is going to be a giant pain in my ass if/when we move to a new house.
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shinester
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Post by shinester on Nov 11, 2016 23:10:57 GMT 10
Getting knocked about gets you aligned with what you need. The relatives had trees come down and they were out of power for a week. I turned up the next day with a Gen, so they could boil a kettle and have hot showers. Gens need fuel, so they're great for a small problem, no good for bigger issues.
Whilst having gas and a burner will allow you to cook, an alternative or another layer of redundancy might be electrical power. This could be a gen as previously mentioned or it could be an inverter, assuming it's big enough, to run from your car, not ideal as you have to keep it running but they're fairly small and you might even find room in your car to mount it [nice big cables to the battery]. I've gone for 2 battery banks and a bit of solar, even if I didn't charge them, could easily keep the fridge going and utilities going a while.
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token
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Post by token on Nov 12, 2016 7:11:50 GMT 10
I just explain to my wife that we need to stock up and why and then she asks for the money to get food and goes and buys more than i said. She's the one that wants more storage for food all the time not me At the urban home on sewage and town water and power, ive got a portable camping toilet if the crapper goes due to issues with town sewage and plumbing, otherwise a bucket works too. 7000 litres of rain water we use just to cook and drink throughout the year with its own separate pump if water becomes an issue. 5000watts of solar that powers the house through the day that im getting a switch and small battery setup to turn the grid off and trick the inverter into working when the powers down for elec through the day, otherwise 40ltrs of fuel, and a small geny to alternate between freezer and fridge and running other stuff like battery chargers and incubators. 2 x 9kg full gas bottles for cooking. The wood fire and lpg gas attachments for heating. Tonnes of rechargeable batteries for lights and torches, a 300ltr freezer i try to keep stocked up with meat, plenty of hand tools and battery power tools, plenty of food in the cupboard at all times and live animals all over the place i can knock and eat also. Still i cant wait to really start preparing my block for proper long term bug in survival where i dont really need to leave the boundary to thrive. I always feel behind and still trying to catch up. Another 10 odd months to get out there cant come quick enough tbh.
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Post by SA Hunter on Nov 12, 2016 16:13:30 GMT 10
Nothing beats a good run to see how prepared one is. We were lucky to miss the big storms in SA where the power was out at home over 50hrs. Did a mental check, and we would have been ok.
But, listening to other friends/workmates, we got a few good ideas and a few good tips.
Need a genny!!!
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shinester
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Post by shinester on Nov 12, 2016 20:00:33 GMT 10
I just explain to my wife that we need to stock up and why and then she asks for the money to get food and goes and buys more than i said. She's the one that wants more storage for food all the time not me I know how many kids you have and how good your wife's cooking is... MOOOOORE Are you referring to a 'grid tied' inverter and tricking it into thinking you have grid power [another small inverter/battery] by chance?
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remnantprep
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Post by remnantprep on Nov 13, 2016 10:52:03 GMT 10
Yesterday afternoon we had a sudden super storm (almost felt like a mini cyclone or tornado hit) with hail hit. Blackout for 5 hours. We knew the Thai restaurant next door had a gas cooker but they could only do stir fry or curry, so we went there for dinner. We know them fairly well so as it was getting dark we asked if they needed any lanterns to light the place as they were getting orders and customers in to eat. We grabbed a half dozen lanterns and about 12 large candles and took them over. They had a party of older ladies there about 12 so our lamps lit up their table, our table and a couple of lanterns in the kitchen. We gave candles to a couple of other tables as well. Hubby felt to ring a work colleague who would have been on his own in the dark and he invited him to have dinner with us. While we were there a family came in who hubby knows from work, and they needed to get something to eat but of course the card machine is out, so because we keep cash on us and at home he was able to spot them $50 bucks to pay for their food (lesson always have cash on you and always lots of lighting)! When we got home my daughter hadn't eaten much as she had been busy playing with the other kids at the restaurant. I heated up some baked beans on our fondue meths burner and also heated some water for a hot drink. We played a board game by lantern light and got out the little radio. At bed time the lights came back on.
The restaurant owner said we had been a huge help with the lanterns etc. As preppers we were able to help others in a small way for a tiny event and it felt good to be able to do so. So to all you wonderful preppers here WE ROCK!!!
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Post by familyprepper on Nov 13, 2016 11:30:25 GMT 10
Aus have a look online for types of genis then send me pic of what your after I'll do some acquiring scouting for said item
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spatial
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Post by spatial on Nov 13, 2016 13:24:46 GMT 10
April 2015 many of the guys in our neighborhoods lost power for over a week due to east coast storms.
All the hardware stores had big signs up for generators, chainsaws and tarps - thing that people were buying the most. MacDonald had genset going so the queue was down the road for people lining up to get a hot meal. Many complained that they went to 5 different shops to get candles but were all sold out.
Keep plenty of flower and yeast, also have wheat and 2 wheat grinders so bread is never a problem. Plenty of rolls of plastic bags to put over the toilet so it can still be used and then the bag disposed of later. Gas BBQ, and small 2 burner camping stove with plenty of bottles of butane ($4.45 for pack of 4 canisters at Bunnings). Yip out of shelving again, as every time I go to Bunnigns it is one pack of canisters, pack of tea candles and more matches.. Have about 50 touches both battery types and 4 hand crank. many bottles of lamp oil and 2 hurricane lamps. Also have racks of spare pressure canning bottles so if power is out for a day or so content of fridge and freezer can be saved.
On careful consideration decided against a genset and portable toilet - not prepping for short term disaster but going for the long haul.
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shinester
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Post by shinester on Nov 13, 2016 13:26:33 GMT 10
Yesterday afternoon we had a sudden super storm (almost felt like a mini cyclone or tornado hit) with hail hit. Blackout for 5 hours. We knew the Thai restaurant next door had a gas cooker but they could only do stir fry or curry, so we went there for dinner. We know them fairly well so as it was getting dark we asked if they needed any lanterns to light the place as they were getting orders and customers in to eat. We grabbed a half dozen lanterns and about 12 large candles and took them over. They had a party of older ladies there about 12 so our lamps lit up their table, our table and a couple of lanterns in the kitchen. We gave candles to a couple of other tables as well. Hubby felt to ring a work colleague who would have been on his own in the dark and he invited him to have dinner with us. While we were there a family came in who hubby knows from work, and they needed to get something to eat but of course the card machine is out, so because we keep cash on us and at home he was able to spot them $50 bucks to pay for their food (lesson always have cash on you and always lots of lighting)! When we got home my daughter hadn't eaten much as she had been busy playing with the other kids at the restaurant. I heated up some baked beans on our fondue meths burner and also heated some water for a hot drink. We played a board game by lantern light and got out the little radio. At bed time the lights came back on. The restaurant owner said we had been a huge help with the lanterns etc. As preppers we were able to help others in a small way for a tiny event and it felt good to be able to do so. So to all you wonderful preppers here WE ROCK!!! Great stuff! This also illustrates something else, community. Whilst there's risks and certainly you don't want to show your hand, a coming together is certainly good for building bonds. My in-laws borrowed my gen with trees coming down cutting power for a week, the difference for me is I would have gone to the neighbors all around in such a situation and told them to run a lead to the Gen for lighting and the basics. Yes it exposes you, as does running the Gen anyhow because of noise. Pushing out for those in need you can 'actually' help builds bonds and ties you might one day need.
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spatial
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Post by spatial on Nov 13, 2016 13:28:29 GMT 10
Aus have a look online for types of genis then send me pic of what your after I'll do some acquiring scouting for said item First decide what you want to do with the genset which will determine power requirements (fridge, freezer microwave etc..), the petrol or diesel, gas and noise level. Gas is the most reliable but inconvenient to most to keep on site.
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Ammo9
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Post by Ammo9 on Nov 13, 2016 15:37:15 GMT 10
On regards to generator. I'd like to power the Fridge, mainly. I'd use it to charge phones, cordless tool batteries but could turn the fridge off for 30 mins while the other things charge I guess.
Actually one to run a welder off would be handy also.
I'd like it to be as quiet as possible.
Thoughts?
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token
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Post by token on Nov 13, 2016 15:49:35 GMT 10
I just explain to my wife that we need to stock up and why and then she asks for the money to get food and goes and buys more than i said. She's the one that wants more storage for food all the time not me I know how many kids you have and how good your wife's cooking is... MOOOOORE Are you referring to a 'grid tied' inverter and tricking it into thinking you have grid power [another small inverter/battery] by chance? lol, yer im spoilt, got a good one and im a very thankful man. I think you mentioned youd lost weight, well ive put it on. Im 110kg now, but im still extremely attractive lol. Your always welcome here mate, even for a cold call anytime. Yes, grid tied inverter, and yes, small battery to make it believe the mains is on. I have a sparky mate who lives off grid who can do it. Its just the when and how much, and 'if' after all that, its worth it. Plan is to sell this place next financial if i can.
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spatial
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Post by spatial on Nov 13, 2016 17:35:28 GMT 10
On regards to generator. I'd like to power the Fridge, mainly. I'd use it to charge phones, cordless tool batteries but could turn the fridge off for 30 mins while the other things charge I guess. Actually one to run a welder off would be handy also. I'd like it to be as quiet as possible. Thoughts? I did some major research into generators a year ago and discovered that for fridges and freezers the big issue is that at startup there is a big power draw then once running the power draw is low. If one does a wattage balance beware of the startup draw. So once you get your generator running and the fridge/freezer working then you will be able to plug in most other devices on an as needs basis. A fridge does only needs a good few hours a day depending on temperature. A great easy to use online calculator that gives the surge watts and rated watts. www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/buyers-guides_wattage-calculatorpowerequipment.honda.com/generators/wattage-calculator
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