#Random In-between disaster lessons
What went well:
1. Emergency solar inverter output (SMA SPS) - allowed me to charge up equipment here -- up to 2kW output -- off the solar panels. No expensive batteries were required.
2. Manual coffee grinder. Although time to brew coffee was hard to find.
3. Cot in the "radio/computer" shack.
4. 1000W "solar inverter" for the fridge
5. Investment in a lot of high capacity extension cords paid off big time
6. "Solar Shed" with 300W of solar on top and 190Ah of battery. Normally just powers a laptop running a satellite receive station, but powered the Internet for 3 days.
(may add to this list, these are the top).
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AI6YR Ben
In response to this postStuff that did not:
1. NOT ENOUGH LIGHT. Lots of headlamps here, a few emergency lights, etc., but it was still a very dark house, which pets and humans (aside from me) did not like AT ALL. Need to look at what broad area, efficient, battery powered lights cost. i.e. construction lights?
2. DID NOT cool the fridge enough. Freezer stayed cool, but had stuff go bad in the fridge. Advice here is 1 hour of cooling for every 4 hours off, I was doing 1 hour for every 12 hours.
3. REWIRING THE INTERNET AND POWER in the office/shack was a PITA in the dark. Had to go find another outlet strip and grope around behind a rack... need a better solution
4. FORGOT TO BUY AAA batteries before for headlamps
@ai6yr I bought some video lights for a couple of media projects I had in mind -- I didn't realize that because they are made to run for hours, and have diffusers on them, they provide hours of light that can really illuminate a room. You can find them on ebay used for good prices and many have both rechargeable and regular battery options. I have used them more for power outages than I have photography/videography at this point.
by Restless Lip Syndrome ;
@ai6yr those silly battery operated candles that people use around the holidays? I have them all over the house. (and since I went from ~2500 sq feet to 600 sq ft? they are literally all over the house.)
I run them on rechargeable AA batteries and have a solar charger for the batteries. They put out a decent amount of light - I have them set for 6hrs on 18off and have their on times staggered.
They give off enough light to navigate the place in the dark.
by MsMerope ;
@ai6yr the fridge is a nightmare. the cheaper modern frdiges from samsung etc seem terrible. you have to keep them running, they warm up way too quickly. about 15 yrs ago i bought a meile fridge (in dk. expensive but a normal fridge not like price in us) that lasted 24h, min loss. i’m thinking of getting a small low energy (rv maybe) back up fridge that i can run off generator or solar and just decant at the beginning the items. then fill fridge with ice, close and hope
by Murray GM - Paperposts ;
@ai6yr I keep AA battery powered, rechargeable USB powered, and solar powered camping lanterns available and ready for outages (all LED, & yes, multiples of each, I hate the dark). If you prefer soft or warm white, you can find those options, it’s just a bit harder. Amount of lumens varies, but I can make any room reasonably comfortable with them.
Also have battery powered motion sensor nightlights in bathrooms. Can always carry a lantern if needed. I check my alkaline battery supply quarterly.
by Jolie ;
@ai6yr My plan would be to live out of the camper van. Propane fridge will run for ever on a full tank of gas and uses less than an amp. The solenoid keeping the valve open uses more electricity.
My family does not appreciate my suggestion to go to sleep if they think it's too dark. Lol.
by virgilpierce ;
Things to improve:
1. Need to put slap more glow in the dark tape on critical stuff. (radios, etc.) esp in the dark.
2. Need to pre-stage stuff from the fridge in a cooler with ice, BEFORE expected power outages. Especially rabbit treats. The rabbits were quite put out by lack of arugula and carrot greens.
3. More light! (bought another Luci light which actually arrived today... need MORE)
4. One of the handhelds has a dodgy volume knob. Need to disassemble and fix. May need to do this later.
5. Had to use the laptops in an odd position, the normal operating position was too far from the one emergency power outlet, didn't have another extension cord.
by AI6YR Ben ;
You can turn your spare minimag flashlights into candles and put a piece of white paper in front to make a gentle area light. Two or three of these provide enough light for most purposes.
by Jim Hubbell ;
@ai6yr Check out photography lights. They're less rugged, but usually cheaper per lumen.
by Cecilia Mjausson Huster ;
@ai6yr
Our blackout kit has:
- battery-powered tea lights for bathrooms and such. 2 or 3 if slightly more light is needed, but one is enough to keep it from being totally dark. Like $10 for 2 dozen. Cr2032 powered, replacing them is cheaper than new batteries.
- solar charged inflatable camping lanterns. About $10 each, last 4-6 hours when charged, decent for lighting up a room, sit in the window normally so they're fully charged at all times.
- wireless thermometer for the fridge, so we can see the temperature without opening the door. Running every 4 hours has worked for us. I've read the chest freezer can go longer, but we run them together when the generator is on.
by Jeff ;
@ai6yr these are two very, very good posts.
by Solarbird :flag_cascadia: ;
@ai6yr Get a caving headlamp like a Zebralight 18650. Way more floody than the typical BD or Petzl AAA lights. You can also get them in different color temps depending on use case.
https://www.innermountainoutfitters.com/collections/zebralight
by AK ;
@ai6yr 12V LED fog lights (available at auto parts stores) are a godsend for area/directed lighting. Add a switch, a fuse, and an Anderson power-pole connector (you already have those in your hamshack, on your field batteries, right?) and you have a minute-made solution for lighting.
by ShawnT 🐀 ;
@ai6yr I’m a big fan of these rechargeable LED work lights with magnetic mounts https://a.co/d/4fEh4u5
by Burrito Justice ;
@ai6yr
This style of rechargable lamp is bright and cheap (https://www.walmart.com/ip/CofeeMO-Solar-Lantern-Camping-Collapsible-Camping-Light-Rechargable-LED-Portable-USB-Lamp-IP65-Waterproof-lights-Backpacking-Gear-Emergency-Charger-P/9296508604).
by John ;
@ai6yr I standardized my emergency kit on AA's, and bought a display case (like 40 batteries) and rotate them every two years (to feed the smoke alarms every 6 mo!) One light per person and one common-area lantern. I'm glad you got to test out your emergency kit! You can't find your missing pieces without testing!
by Trouble ;
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MsMerope
In response to this post@ai6yr so you have what 24? 36? hours to regroup?
ugh
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