Posted on 07/29/2013 8:42:34 PM PDT by Kartographer
May I ask how? Is that a generator charging storage batteries (perhaps bio-diesel?), solar panels, or something else?
On your other points, I agree with you - and a shovel is a good clean-up tool if the police are not available or not likely to be helpful after the fact. Your approach sounds very practical.
I developed a method some years ago to have battery power due to hurricanes coming through here. Last year and the early part of this year, I made that method better so it would last an extremely long time. I have written two fairly long posts about that. I may have saved a copy of the last one. Let me look for that, even if I have to search through my history of posts to find it but I think I saved it on my computer in mail “drafts”. I'll look now and get that posted for you.
I hope that in the long run more of us survive than the entitlement zombies.
Solar Panel:
There are so many you will get lost trying to find what you need. I wanted a solar panel with a good charger that attaches to the panel and charges all sizes of batteries in a reasonable amount of time and didn’t cost a fortune. I found the right one and you’d have to kill me to take it from me. You can also recharge a low or high end cell phone and a Kindle or an Ipad. You use the cigarette plug you have for your phone (to charge in a car) and it has that mini USB connector on the other end and attach your phone or Ipad or Kindle to that connector and plug the cigarette plug in the cigarette port on the solar panel. You will understand this when you read about the panel/charger.
The panel has a long cord and I’ll put the panel in the sun and run that cord under the roof over my deck so the charger itself can be in the shade. If you can’t find a place to put the charger in the shade, make shade over it with a table or whatever. I don’t want the charger directly out in the Texas sun. It is fast to recharge batteries (charge four AA in three hours). Here is the solar panel/charger:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007SFWTMW/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Here are the Sanyo eneloop batteries. You can get any size on this page (they don’t make a high capacity D):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004SB1TD4/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Here are high capacity low self-discharge Tenergy Centura Ds I need for my fans and two lanterns: “Provides ultra-long use time per charge with this super high 8000mAh capacity”. There is a 10,000 mAh and maybe one more higher, but the charger using solar power will not charge these to capacity so it’s a waste of money to buy higher than 8000. Note the color of these batteries – it is white. They have these 8000 in another color but that color is NOT the low self-discharge. These white ones are the NEW low self-discharge type. If you buy these elsewhere, make sure they are the white ones.
I will have light (room type battery lanterns, flashlights that make room lights, bedside lights, plus have two solar lanterns), four battery operated fans, working portable TV (let me know if you want to know about this TV), battery powered security alarms front and back of house, numerous ways to cook that don't require batteries, etc., etc.
I have a whole box of the Tenergy batteries in various sizes, plus a less capable charger than yours. I agree with everything you’re doing (including living in Texas, which I wish I could do).
I looked at that link and those methods are much more complicated than mine. One of those requires a car and that is not feasible for a long term fix and I don’t believe the deep cycle batteries are, either. A good solar panel with charger and good rechargeable batteries that can be recharged a 1,000 time or more, is a better fix and cheaper.
My method is silent as no one can see or hear the silent solar panel or the batteries recharging. Dropping from sight and being quiet is important to me.
Some months ago, I considered my clocks. Every one needed a battery. In a SHTF situation, I wouldn't want to use a battery for a clock. I looked on Amazon and found wind up clocks, the kind we used to buy that lasted many years, are all made in China now and customer comments were they all fail. Their inner parts are now plastic.
I found one clock, a Sternreiter Double Bell Mechanical Wind Alarm Clock, with all metal parts.
“All metal construction with a 2-jewelled movement. Spring wound mechanical brass movement, made in Europe. Mechanism features solid brass plates, brass gears, and steel shafts and pivots. Loud alarm bells. Offset seconds and alarm dials. Easy-to-read Arabic numerals. Glow in the dark hour markers and hands. 4 x 6 x 2 inches”
I had a Christmas gift certificate someone gave me and used that to buy this wind up clock. A friend of mine said he and the wife wouldn't need to know the time if the SHTF. That isn't true. Being able to know the time, is an attachment to life, a grounding to know where you are in time and space.
Do you have a reliable wind up clock?
No, but I wonder how important time will be during SHTF? If you have a task you do it until it’s done. A hour glass might be valuable to keep time during the night watch, but when I camp I never even wear my watch so I guess I am the wrong person to ask.
Time keeps you grounded and you need to know it especially if you are timing something with someone else. If you think about this, I believe you will see the wisdom of knowing time. We are used to it being all around us, but if it is gone, that is one more part of civilization gone.
One of his solutions includes charging the deep cycle and then charging batteries & phones off of that.
Sundial would work during the day, at least.
don’t believe me, try it, it’ll shock the stuffing out of you, and make enough noise so that you can get your gun before the sucker recovers.
part american Indian, so I can make my own Bow and arrows if necessary.
As for ammo...you (if you can find it, AND afford it) buy one box of ammo for each (rifle, handgun, shotgun), if all you can do is one at a time start with Rifle, you want to stop people as far away from you and yours as possible.
“It’s recommended that one have a minimum of 1,000 rounds per gun. The question is how does one go about buying that much ammo - rifle first?, handgun first?, shotgun first?, or some combo of each.”
Simple. You walk into a gun shop, say “I want 1000 rounds each of .308, .223, 9mm, and 12ga”, swipe your credit card, and point the staff toward your vehicle.
Simple, alright. With your credit card, you have just told NSA (and the whole Yankee government) that you spent ~ $2000 to buy 4000 rounds of ammunition. And they know where you live and what guns you have.
I buy my ammo, m,ostly with cash. How about a practical suggestion?
And to the NSA trolls, FU.
You’re asking someone already on the C&R and NFA and CCW lists. They already know, so no further worries.
Wanna pay cash? Use cash. Bulk purchase gives more bang for your buck.
Jumper cables and car battery....
12 Volts will not shock anyone.
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