Tips for When the Electricity Goes Out
Sep 20, 2022 10:32:16 #
Sep 20, 2022 10:43:59 #
TriX wrote:
That is also true of many of the control boards in modern gas furnaces - 60Hz AC + or - 1Hz
I would try to avoid a furnace (or other essential appliance) with that sort of limitation.
Sep 20, 2022 11:17:10 #
One more--buy a generator! I bought one ten years ago, and have had power every time the electricity went out since then.
Sep 20, 2022 11:19:28 #
DirtFarmer wrote:
I would try to avoid a furnace (or other essential appliance) with that sort of limitation.
Never even occurred to me when I bought my high efficiency gas furnace years ago, and just learned about it recently. I have a number of frequency counters, so my intention is to just adjust the generator speed/frequency if I ever need it in the winter (haven’t yet). My other concern is whether my gas line is large enough to run both my gas furnace and the generator - I’ve never tested it because we so rarely have long power outages in the winter in the southeast.
Sep 20, 2022 11:59:57 #
jerryc41 wrote:
This is from Family Handyman. They have an explan... (show quote)
Based on past statistics, it is also a good idea to stock up on condoms! There is normally a bump in birthrates 9 months after major power outages...
bwa
Sep 20, 2022 12:40:44 #
We have a whole-house Generac generator system that kicks in whenever the commercial power is out for over 30 seconds and is hooked up to my 1000 gallon propane tank. The only restriction is that I cannot run the dryer and the oven at the same time. It has ben our savior many times.
Sep 20, 2022 13:03:53 #
bwana wrote:
Based on past statistics, it is also a good idea to stock up on condoms! There is normally a bump in birthrates 9 months after major power outages...
bwa
bwa
Age has SOME advantages.
Sep 20, 2022 13:18:38 #
We were totally unprepared when Hurricane Sandy hit us and had no power for a week. On the 7th day a buddy of mine called to let me know a guy was selling Predator generators off the back of a truck at a local Home Depot parking lot. I bought one and used that for several years. After a while though, the maintenance and filling the gas tank 3x a day got old. Finally bought a whole house Generac and have had no problems since. A not insignificant side benefit is my wife is now happy knowing everything we have will continue to work during a power outage.
Sep 20, 2022 14:17:53 #
jaymatt wrote:
We have a whole-house Generac generator system that kicks in whenever the commercial power is out for over 30 seconds and is hooked up to my 1000 gallon propane tank. The only restriction is that I cannot run the dryer and the oven at the same time. It has ben our savior many times.
Those work very well. I bought one a few years ago but never hooked it up...still sitting in one of my sheds.
We had a power outage for 18 days after a hurricane...and man...the bills folks endured to keep their food cold was ...eye opening.
I eyed solar from then on.
Sep 20, 2022 15:58:22 #
fetzler
Loc: North West PA
jerryc41 wrote:
This is from Family Handyman. They have an explan... (show quote)
If there is no electricity then the well pump isn't working. I can't fill the bathtub or jugs. Jerry cans are better but water isn't potable after months or years of storage. Having enough water to flush toilets requires a fairly large amount of water. Better dig a hole and bury the waste if you can.
I don't have dog but dog but dogs go outside in all sorts of WX. I have an outhouse for me too.
I only have manual can openers. Electric ones are just a PIA and unnecessary,
Thermometers in the fridge will just depress you.
Coolers are nice but you likely won't have mounds of ice.
Solar/wind charged batteries are Ok for light. Generators powered by natural gas or propane are useful. Gasoline is less so as you can't store it long and you are likely not to have enough gas. These will run a well pump however.
Sep 20, 2022 16:08:31 #
If you have natural gas or propane, a conversion kit (~$200) is available for most generators and solves the gas storage issue. Easy to install and will still allow the generator to run on gasoline if you need to.
Sep 20, 2022 18:46:35 #
Yep, those are all hurricane hints, most of them work. One big problem, he left out the beer supply 
Don
Don
Sep 20, 2022 18:50:06 #
PAR4DCR wrote:
Yep, those are all hurricane hints, most of them work. One big problem, he left out the beer supply
Don
Don
You’ll notice it WAS mentioned in my list. A man has to keep his priorities straight
Sep 20, 2022 18:58:45 #
Personally, I dislike warm beer. However there are some stouts that might be acceptable.
Sep 21, 2022 08:02:41 #
Every year we prepare a couple of "hurricane boxes". We have a gas stove, but I also have a Coleman stove with fuel. Food that doesn't require refrigeration and that can be prepared in a single pot are ideal - backpackers and RV'ers are probably familiar with some of these. Pasta and spaghetti sauce, crackers, canned tuna and chicken, cereal, boxes of ultra-pasteurized milk that need no refrigeration (until opened). Crackers and the spray can cheese for a snack. Rice-a-Roni or similar with a can of chicken thrown in is quick and not bad. Most of these foods are too salty or too processed to eat on a regular basis in our opinion. And peanuts. AND peanut M&M's! Large jugs or drinking water. If a hurricane is coming we fill the bathtub with water that can be used for bathing and flushing the toilet. If the damage is bad enough that the water system is out for more than a day or two we would probably be leaving anyway!
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