Suddenly the lights went out...
#1
In the right lane
Thread Starter
Suddenly the lights went out...
Last night we lost electricity for 10 hours due to a sleet storm. This is not that rare of an event anywhere in the US and I'd figure that everyone should be prepared to lose electricity for lengthy periods of time.
What amazes me is that, despite my fantasy of being an energy conservative, I'm pretty much grid-tied:
* Went to get my Cateye bike light and realized I hadn't charged either of the 2 sets of batteries I use.
* Couldn't get in the garage to get my 20 watt halogen headline and battery because I have an electric door opener
* Had to dig around for 15 minutes this morning looking for an AM radio that ran off batteries.
Fortunately, my wife had stashed from candles and flashlights, so it wasn't that unpleasant.
Today, I got up and unhooked the garage door opener. Since the garage is used mainly for bikes, we never use the remote and, without the motor attached, the door slides easily. The device seems like an energy sucker... .
Anyone have ideas for emergencies like this?
What amazes me is that, despite my fantasy of being an energy conservative, I'm pretty much grid-tied:
* Went to get my Cateye bike light and realized I hadn't charged either of the 2 sets of batteries I use.
* Couldn't get in the garage to get my 20 watt halogen headline and battery because I have an electric door opener
* Had to dig around for 15 minutes this morning looking for an AM radio that ran off batteries.
Fortunately, my wife had stashed from candles and flashlights, so it wasn't that unpleasant.
Today, I got up and unhooked the garage door opener. Since the garage is used mainly for bikes, we never use the remote and, without the motor attached, the door slides easily. The device seems like an energy sucker... .
Anyone have ideas for emergencies like this?
#2
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Stock up on camping gear and get a gas grill and two bottles.
If (when) the power goes out here, I have light, heat, entertainment (well, AM/FM/shortwave anyway) and the wife has a couple of different options for cooking.
For entertaining the kids and keeping them occupied, I can set up a fee-standing tent in the livingroom.
If (when) the power goes out here, I have light, heat, entertainment (well, AM/FM/shortwave anyway) and the wife has a couple of different options for cooking.
For entertaining the kids and keeping them occupied, I can set up a fee-standing tent in the livingroom.
#3
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The device seems like an energy sucker...
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I have always been an outdoorsy camping type person so survival without electricity is nothing more than a minor inconvenience regardless of the time of year. Last ice storm that hit I just moved into my travel trailer that I use for work. The battery powered the LP furnace and lights, the stove and fridge are LP too. But the big advantage during the ice storm is to put the cold stuff outside on the porch . I do have a small generator that can be used to power up a furnace or charge up batteries. We had power go out last summer due to brush fires and system overload. No big deal, just opened up the windows and spent the evening outside under the shade trees. Back porch light became a kerosene lantern filled with citronella. Ran the generator for a bit to keep the fridge cold.
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#5
Sophomoric Member
Well I'd definitely do something about the garage door. A $20 LED bike light will operate for 30 hours or more on 4 AA batteries. I've seen LED camping lanterns that offer more light for 30 hours on 2 D batteries. The one I saw cost $20. Don't rely on a cordless phone--they won't work in a blackout. Stock canned foods and disposable utensils. I don't know--just the usual stuff. At least most of us carfree people are good at planning ahead and also good at changing plans when we have to.
Oh yeah, be careful when you travel during a blackout. Traffic gets pretty snarly when traffic signals and street lights don't work. I rode home from work in the Great Eastern Blackout a couple years ago. Fun!
Oh yeah, be careful when you travel during a blackout. Traffic gets pretty snarly when traffic signals and street lights don't work. I rode home from work in the Great Eastern Blackout a couple years ago. Fun!
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#6
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Does anybody know about cell phone systems in a long blackout? I know that land line phone companies have battery backup that's supposed to work for week or more.
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Originally Posted by Roody
Does anybody know about cell phone systems in a long blackout?
#8
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Heh, whenever I hear about blackouts and power outages, I can't help but think of those Enron scumbags caught on tape (<--clicky) gleefully rejoicing about California brush fires causing intentional power-outs and massive mark-ups in energy prices. "Burn baby burn! That's a beautiful thing." Ugh.
And agreed to all the camp-inspired suggestions.
And agreed to all the camp-inspired suggestions.
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Originally Posted by Roody
Does anybody know about cell phone systems in a long blackout? I know that land line phone companies have battery backup that's supposed to work for week or more.
It is going to be hit or miss...I was in Mobile, AL during Katrina and had three different cell phones at my disposal. Power was out for about 4 days. Nextel went down and stayed down for all four days, Sprint stayed up the whole time but circuits were typically overloaded. Verizon was hit or miss the entire time sometimes the towers were up and other times it was "no service"...and I hadn't moved at all. Once power was back up they all worked but the systems were overloaded almost constantly. In some cases I could not receive outside calls on one phone but could on another. In a true emergency I would not count on any phone service but would expect marginally better service out of my landline because of the hardwired infastructure. But even it can cause problems...after Hurricane Fran in 97 tore up the town I was living in I was without phone service for 4 days until a repair truck was able to finally get into the neighborhood. Testing located the problem down line in a switching station and it was corrected shortly after. My parents who lived next door at the time were still having intermittent problems with their phone, another repair call and it was fixed...same switching station
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#10
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Originally Posted by Roody
Does anybody know about cell phone systems in a long blackout? I know that land line phone companies have battery backup that's supposed to work for week or more.
I don't think the land-line I have works if there's no power to the base, but who cares? If the phone don't work, it's that many fewer people who can bother me.
#11
Sophomoric Member
Originally Posted by CommuterRun
In a catastrophic blackout (hurricane) I'd probably use my cell to try to check-in with a few folks who are close to me, then turn it off, "to save the battery in case I really needed it."
I don't think the land-line I have works if there's no power to the base, but who cares? If the phone don't work, it's that many fewer people who can bother me.
I don't think the land-line I have works if there's no power to the base, but who cares? If the phone don't work, it's that many fewer people who can bother me.
Of course I have only a cell phone now, so I'm not following my own advice.
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Originally Posted by CommuterRun
In a catastrophic blackout (hurricane) I'd probably use my cell to try to check-in with a few folks who are close to me, then turn it off, "to save the battery in case I really needed it."
I don't think the land-line I have works if there's no power to the base, but who cares? If the phone don't work, it's that many fewer people who can bother me.
I don't think the land-line I have works if there's no power to the base, but who cares? If the phone don't work, it's that many fewer people who can bother me.
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Last edited by wahoonc; 02-25-07 at 03:03 PM.
#13
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Originally Posted by Roody
What if the people bothering you were loved ones concerned about your welfare?
Originally Posted by CommuterRun
In a catastrophic blackout (hurricane) I'd probably use my cell to try to check-in with a few folks who are close to me........
#14
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Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Roody
Does anybody know about cell phone systems in a long blackout? I know that land line phone companies have battery backup that's supposed to work for week or more.
#15
In the right lane
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Originally Posted by cerewa
Depends what you're comparing it to. Garage door motors would seriously affect your electric bill if they were running constantly, but heating one room in February in Iowa, for one minute, probably uses more energy. Assuming normal temperatures
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Originally Posted by CommuterRun
For entertaining the kids and keeping them occupied, I can set up a fee-standing tent in the livingroom.
Within a month though several of the family members mentioned to me what a wonderful time they had sharing stories during the blackout.
#17
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In this recent blackout, my T-mobile cell service worked a lot longer than my Internet telephone.
#18
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I lived off grid for several years. I don't trust standard camping crud. Go here:
https://www.lehmans.com/
The Deitz oil lanterns they sell are fantastic.
https://www.lehmans.com/
The Deitz oil lanterns they sell are fantastic.
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Originally Posted by Cosmoline
I lived off grid for several years. I don't trust standard camping crud. Go here:
https://www.lehmans.com/
The Deitz oil lanterns they sell are fantastic.
https://www.lehmans.com/
The Deitz oil lanterns they sell are fantastic.
Most of my camping "crud" is old made in the USA Coleman stuff that still works fine after 30+ years of use
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#20
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Originally Posted by gerv
Last night we lost electricity for 10 hours due to a sleet storm. This is not that rare of an event anywhere in the US and I'd figure that everyone should be prepared to lose electricity for lengthy periods of time.
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Originally Posted by Slow Train
But how long would the batteries in your phone last?
--J
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#22
In the right lane
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
The electricity was out for 54 hours at my house during this past weekend's ice storm. Though my heat is natural gas, the heater blower runs on electricity. My main concern was that electricity would be out so long as to allow the house to freeze up and burst water pipes. When the power came back on it was still 47° in the house, though below freezing outside. The land line telephone service never went out. And we didn't lose any major branches from the trees in the yard; actually it turned into a good pruning; others weren't so lucky. I am going to have to get a portable kerosene heater for emergency heat.
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Originally Posted by gerv
* Had to dig around for 15 minutes this morning looking for an AM radio that ran off batteries. Anyone have ideas for emergencies like this?
When I was in earthquake country, they recommended having enough food and water for 3 days to a week. Always good to have a couple of gallons of water on board.
#24
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Windup flashlight. Windup radio. No need for batteries. The LED lamps. I've got one from Cabela's that is a headlamp. Used it while hunting in British Columbia. Saved a lot of stumbling around in the dark!
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Thought on cellphones...even if you don't have a car get the car charger cord. In an emergency you could probably rely on someone's generosity to allow you to charge up your phone for a bit on their car. I know I have done it for people before
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon