what are y'all saving from the wild to deal with coming crisis?

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Absolute truth there, but increased the value of the property incrementally. After 10 days without power the year before Sandy (Early fall snow storm with much tree damage) and 14 days without power after Hurricane Sandy it seemed like the only way to go. Gasoline availability was limited, and keeping a supply was a hassle. Given the high water table here I have 3 sump pumps in my cellar. Power for them is a necessity. I'm a tight wad, but had no problem justifying this installation.

Funny you should mention Sandy. I went 5 days without power and fortunately it wasn't too cold. Oil lamps put out a good amount of heat and then all I had to cook on was the sterno cooker. I bought a generator after that and since then moved onto my current property that came with a transfer switch and a pellet stove. And as well as you, my sump pump and basement de-humidifier run quite frequently, so I get it. But I still can't justify the expense of the Generac installation for myself.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Just what part of the world are you in? Different regions have different environments. Areas with lots of trees run the risk of trees falling on them, flat, dry regions can experience dust storms or Haboobs. Every environmental area has it's own natural risk hazards. Fearing all the possible negative outcomes really kind of sucks the joy out of everyday living. Life is short enough, embrace it and enjoy. If adversity comes your way, you do what you can to survive and move on. Having a wealth of knowledge is great as long as it doesn't fuel your fears and keep you from stopping to smell the roses without worrying if there will be a bee in there waiting to sting you.

I had a number of trees that could have fallen and damaged my house. I removed them to remove that risk. Now I don't have to be concerned about it. Simple. If you want this kind of avoidable risk in your house, that's your choice (see videos). I prefer to maximize safety.

 

[Willowspirit]

Just what part of the world are you in? Different regions have different environments. Areas with lots of trees run the risk of trees falling on them, flat, dry regions can experience dust storms or Haboobs. Every environmental area has it's own natural risk hazards. Fearing all the possible negative outcomes really kind of sucks the joy out of everyday living. Life is short enough, embrace it and enjoy. If adversity comes your way, you do what you can to survive and move on. Having a wealth of knowledge is great as long as it doesn't fuel your fears and keep you from stopping to smell the roses without worrying if there will be a bee in there waiting to sting you.

X2

 

[perchie.girl]

Just checking to make sure you are aware what a fire hazard Lithium-ion batteries are. I haven't heard about a Powerwall spontaneously combusting (maybe because there really aren't that many in service), but Tesla cars self-combust frequently. I would never park one in an attached garage, nor have a Powerwall not in a separate building.

yep Lithium Ion does have a bad REp.... I could do a power wall in a separate utility building... easily along the underground cable I have running from the meter to the house.

I could construct it to be environmentially condusive to battery storage as well... The whole idea of a battery room I have been knocking about for a few years now. Even to the point of putting it on a small Trailer....

But then I was considering Deep cell lead acid batteries designed for Charging and discharging.... They have particular needs as well .... constant temperatures are good.... They out gas Hydrogen which is explosive.... They expand and contract as they are being used therefore can crack the housing. Hydrochloric acid is nasty nasty stuff as is lead dioxide the paste that goes on the lead plates... Therefore the floors and walls of the battery house will have to be Coated with Inert plastic as in Polyvinyl Chloride Or Rhino rubberized liner... Ventilation is essential For bot the out gassing as well as possible spillage.... Then there is the charging and testing and adding of water. These batteries need some maintenence... Checking of terminals as well as Voltage out put....

Then each battery is not cheap.... Were talking at least four hundred a piece... I would not go new... Lead acid battery for a full time home runs about 10,000.

Even so... Power wall is VERy much smaller in foot print... Takes little mantinentce and only needs a good invironment to use.

Oh and also Lead acid batteries at most last five to seven years.... Power wall lasts
+- ten years

My thoughts are after ten years of use The technology will have changed dramatically...

deb

 

[DellaMyDarling]

I find it a good idea to rethink potential everyday living essentials and their sources every 6 months minimum, because we often forget how things change.

Before Sandy, which my region had minimal impact from, we had an October Frankenstorm. Unusual set of weather patterns dumped several feet of snow on us in about 24 hours, completely paralyzing the region because the previously unusually warm temps had kept all the leaves green on the trees so late.
At the time, I lived in a fourth floor walk up city apartment with a preschooler, toddler, and newborn. It took over 10 days to return power to my area. The particular challenges I faced at that time were very unique to what such a storm would challenge me with today. In that situation, my cloth diapers did us no good because there was no good way to wash them, nor could I get to a store to buy disposables, just one particular challenge of many.

Assess what you have and try to predict challenges. Creative methods to deal with sudden changes in plans is a developed skill, particularly when things like the grid ceasing to function happens unexpectedly!

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Oh and also Lead acid batteries at most last five to seven years.... Power wall lasts
+- ten years

My thoughts are after ten years of use The technology will have changed dramatically...

You won't get the full capacity for 10+ years, though. Their capacity degrades with each recharge.

I know that there exists a special cap for nickel-iron batteries that converts the hydrogen gas to water. I don't know if they would work for lead acid batteries.

 

[Jaguar61]

Does anyone save their own seeds?
I'd like to learn this and cannot find it in any books I already possess.

It's a lot easier than "they" make it sound. You do need to make sure you are using heirloom seeds to start with. Search for a reliable source. I use heirloomseeds.com. There are many others. When you harvest produce, leave some on the plant to rot point/dry off depending on plant. Dry "wet" seeds (tomato, cuke, pepper,...) on wax/parchment paper. Store in opaque, air tight containers with plant info. Next spring, plant like usual.

 

[Jaguar61]

I have seen those.... seem like a lot of work.... A person could build a round bail maker that could be done by hand ... Small manageable bales would be simple to make and store.

There are also baling machines that are horse drawn both kinds takes some skill to work a team and bale at the same time... Ideally a two man job....

We've got a string mower to cut the tall grasses. Rake it into windrows. Looking into building a manual baler. Smaller bales as I am pushing 60 now. Should be better storing than an old fashioned hay mound like we've been doing

 

[Jaguar61]

Not to mention weevles.... You can take the new cake mix out without opening the bag and place it in an air tight container.... I use plastic cereal container for corn meal but the concept would be the same.... cut out the cardboard instructions and include it in the container....

deb

You can freeze flour based mixes for a few days to kill off bugs and eggs. Then store in air tight, rodent proof container

Not to mention weevles.... You can take the new cake mix out without opening the bag and place it in an air tight container.... I use plastic cereal container for corn meal but the concept would be the same.... cut out the cardboard instructions and include it in the container....

deb[/QUOTE

 

[Jaguar61]

Just read through this entire thread, very interesting.

Regarding using sawdust as filler, if I had access I would much prefer using shredded beet pulp as filler over sawdust. Used to feed it to horses a lot (soaked first).

What I would really like is a whole house generator, honestly. And enough fuel to run it until the power returns. I do a lot of freezing, need to keep the freezers going. I really ought to get Mom to teach me to pressure can and do more of that, maybe this year.

We have a small garden this year, I'll freeze excess. And I breed my chickens, so I always have chicken available. That's about it so far.

The weather here in Illinois is seriously hurting farmers this year, it's awful. Prepare for not only feed, but meat prices to rise since it's going to cost more to feed livestock. We don't only grow corn, we grow soybeans, oats, wheat, rye, etc here too.

Do get with your Mom. Canning is so easy. I rotate from fridge to freezer to canning jars or dehydrater