About 15 minutes ago, the grid power to our house in NE Texas went down, almost certainly due to the ice storm that has also made travel very hazardous in this area. The only reason I knew the grid power was out was that after the lights flickered several times, then dimmed, I happened to glance at the clock on my electric range, and it was out. The rest of the house is on an uninterruptable power system, so we're basically unaffected. If the power stays off for more than a few hours, I'll probably run the generator for awhile to recharge the batteries. In the meantime, we've been using our wood stove for heat anyway, so we'll just have to make breakfast on that stove rather than the electric one. Our neighbors also have heat, but not electricity. If they need any help, we'll be able to provide it.

-- Steve Heller (stheller@koyote.com), January 27, 2000

Answers

Steve I'm glad you prepped and are able to help your neighbors. Whoever made the rofl comment shouldn't say a thing untill they have walked the same path that you are now on. Good Luck my friend

-- David Whitelaw (Dande53484@aol.com), January 27, 2000.

Steve,

It sure is fine to be self-sufficient. I
never notice power outages as I'm off the
grid and always use wood heat. When storms
knock out power here, at least twice a year,
I am more appreciative of my lifestyle.

-- spider (spider0@usa.net), January 27, 2000.

---well, we just got back on grid 1/2 hr ago, after being out since saturday night last. BUT, got two storms coming back to back, guess we'll see what happens next. solar+genny=GOOD!

-- zog (zzoggy@yahoo.com), January 27, 2000.

I always wonder how much gas people with generators have and what they do in a widespread power outage when they run out of gas?

BTW I live in town and have never been without for more than 24 hours. No generator, just candles, coleman and a little solar.

-- Just passin through (nobody@nowhere.com), January 27, 2000.

My Dear Mr. Heller,

Sir, some time, when you have the time. Might I suggest that you go over to TB prep forum and find some postings I made there about a Capsitor (Static) Charger...You'd find that windy,cold weather causes the system to really perform well (not to mention hot dry wind and low humidity LOL)..In any case the system will keep a battery bank charged (and it has no moving parts{ the charger}; and can be made from things found around any farm house site). But be careful to keep the charger grounded while assembling it..It will build up a charge heavy enough to be lethel, really quick (I didn't take that into account, when I set up a test bed net..And nearly had my ticket punched for good when I left if ungrounded for a couple of hours, then accidently touched the screen!). Hope this information might be of interest you ( I wanted something which would charge up batteries in a nuclear winter senerio..And need NO maintance what ever. The Static Charger fits that work description.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Shakey~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

-- Shakey (in_a_bunker@forty.feet), January 27, 2000.

HEY SHAKEY

I've been looking for that post over at the prep forum and can't find it. Did you post it as its own topic or to a thread? Do you remember is it under solar or what?

Thanks

-- need info (Please@thanks.power), January 27, 2000.

Sir I am afaird that I responded (like I have here) and the Static Charger is under another thread (at least I believe that is what I did..). The principal is well known, Static electricty WILL build up in an ungrounded wire, the longer the wire. The faster and heavier the charge. The principal of using a car's spark plug and coil to charge up batteries is also known..I managed to redesign the charging screen to where it would fit in a smallish back yard.And by series ing in a second car's coil with the first. It comes out with very respectable amperages which can be maintained continiouly i.e. The set up can power an off grid battery bank. And for a whole lot less (read that as pennies on the dollar) investment than solor or wind generation does...

"As for me...I shall finish the Game".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Shakey~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

-- Shakey (in_a_bunker@forty.feet), January 27, 2000.

---thanks for the tip and research, Mr. shakey, I will attempt to construct one of your devices. Now...if anyone finds this particular thread and link it would be most appreciated here. thanks in advance!

-- zog (zzoggy@yahoo.com), January 27, 2000.

Smart. Wow.

-- tim phronesia (phronesia@webtv.net), January 27, 2000.

Shakey, I've been searching for something like that for a long time. I can't find your thread. Please let me know where I can find the details. The email address is real, so you could reach me there. A most sincere thank you.

-- Greg (writergreg@hotmail.com), January 27, 2000.

Hey Shakey;

I'd like to make one of those myself, but need all the gory details. I'm ee impared, you see. Just tell me where to find the data.

-- elskon (elskon@bigfoot.com), January 27, 2000.

Hampton Roads VA, I've had weekly incidents a couple months pre, and now post rollover: dirty power/brown outs, loss of a few minutes. Ironic, no loss during noreaster.

-- Hokie (Hokie_@hotmail.com), January 27, 2000.

I found some information on the static charger hope this helps.

www.easley.net/warlord/elect/improvedstatic.html

-- David Whitelaw (Dande53484@aol.com), January 27, 2000.

Hmmmmmmm for some reason the link doesn't work

http://www.easley.net/warlord/elect/improvedstatic.html

-- David Whitelaw (Dande53484@aol.com), January 27, 2000.

ok I found my error sorry about the first two links. I'm new at this

www.easley.net/warlord/elect/improvedstatic.htm

-- David Whitelaw (Dande53484@aol.com), January 27, 2000.

Update: our grid power was on for about 2 hours this afternoon, but died again. It's now almost 12 hours after it first went out. We're being conservative in our electricity use, so I won't have to go out and start the generator until tomorrow morning. The wood stove is getting quite a workout, including cooking!

-- Steve Heller (stheller@koyote.com), January 27, 2000.

I couldn't find Shakey's post either.But here's a couple of pages with info on capturing static electricity to charge batteries.(hope I got the links right) href="http://www.easley.net/warlord/elect/capcharg.htm">Static Charger
href="http://www.easley.net/warlord/elect/improvedstatic.htm">Improved Static Charger


-- mush (brain@home.com), January 27, 2000.

OOPS didn't but ya can figure it out I think.

-- mush (brain@home.com), January 27, 2000.

Link main page
Static Charger link Improved Static Charger link

-- Possible Impact (posim@hotmail.com), January 27, 2000.

Update: as of 6 AM Friday, the grid power is still out, and there's no sign it will be back anytime soon. If it weren't for my backup power system, I'd have been unable to work since Wednesday. At this rate, my electrical system expenses are being offset rather quickly by the income that I'm not losing due to this outage. We're supposed to get another winter storm in the next few days, too. My other preps are looking better all the time as well. I guess my being wrong about Y2K isn't quite as serious as many people claim, as without my Y2K concerns I wouldn't have the supplies needed to avoid driving into town for however long the ice is covering the roads.

-- Steve Heller (stheller@koyote.com), January 28, 2000.