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Stuff 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


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Restless Lip Syndrome

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@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.


@RestlessLipSyndrome @ai6yr Yeah same here, I bought a three pack of Neewer battery-powered portable studio lights a few years ago and the massive dual Li-ion batteries last forever; they also produce an incredible amount of light. They've already come in handy during some extended power outages since then (which are fortunately rare in my area).

by Steve Paluch ;

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MsMerope

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@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.


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Murray GM - Paperposts

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@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


@Paperposts I have a 12V RV fridge, but 12V was hard to come by (it sucks watts). Could run off the car, but I was trying not to use gas (gas stations had lines)

by AI6YR Ben ;

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Jolie

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@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.


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virgilpierce

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@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.


@virgilpierce Similar here on the sleep suggestion LOL...

by AI6YR Ben ;

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AI6YR Ben

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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.


@ai6yr do you have a preferred brand of glow in the dark tape? Or are they all basically the same?

by Jenny ;

Little rechargeable lamps like this one are nice, have several of them around the house. Runtime is up to 80 hours on a charge. Not super bright but more than your average flashlight, and better for illuminating a room. You just use your phone charger for them.

I use them when we have power too, especially in the bathroom at night, because the ceiling light in there will fry your retinas.

centralcomputer.com/aukey-lt-s

@ai6yr

by moggie ;

@ai6yr Thank you, as always for sharing your experiences. This will help many.

by deewani ;

@ai6yr How did I miss that you have rabbits?

by HumToTable ;

@ai6yr I keep charged NI-MH AA and AAA on hand, they hold the charge and don't drain much sitting on the shelf or in a remote

I started with Eneloops years ago, had a kit that came with AA, AAA and spacers to use AA for C and D devices

newegg.com/p/N82E16817356066

There are now other brands making NI-MH, I've had a good experience with the few I've tried

Recently got an 8 slot charger that can take input from USB-C or wall outlet, much more portable for my off grid events

by der.hans ;

@ai6yr This is such a good thing to do. When another emergency rolls around, it's handy to have a customized checklist. Here's my write-up from Dec. 2022. (We now have a propane generator, but propane can run out in extended outages!)
sarahebourne.posthaven.com/pre

by Sarah E Bourne ;

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Jim Hubbell

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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.


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Cecilia Mjausson Huster

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@ai6yr Check out photography lights. They're less rugged, but usually cheaper per lumen.


@mjausson Thanks. Actually, I'm staring at one I snagged out of a pile of e-waste for free, RIGHT HERE. I just need to put a 12V adapter on it!! Woohoo, tonight's project!

by AI6YR Ben ;

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Jeff

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@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.


@evilotto @ai6yr for a while now, since Sandy, I’ve been keeping a few chem lights scattered around the house, one at each fire extinguisher and some other sensible locations like utility spaces. I’ve got plenty of flashlights and batteries and the like, but want a non-electricity backup in case I need to get frugal with amp hours.

by Alec Perkins ;

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Solarbird :flag_cascadia:

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@ai6yr these are two very, very good posts.


@moira I like to write out these things, it helps me remember what to fix/change.

by AI6YR Ben ;

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ShawnT 🐀

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@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.


@phaysis Thanks! Didn't think of that!!

by AI6YR Ben ;

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Burrito Justice

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@ai6yr I’m a big fan of these rechargeable LED work lights with magnetic mounts a.co/d/4fEh4u5


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Trouble

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@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!


@trouble I just ordered a AA headlamp, it really helps to standardize on AA's for sure. I am using Eneloops for everyday use on the AA's, but I find using those is beneficial because every store anywhere has AA's in stock.

by AI6YR Ben ;

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