How To Survive For Three Days With No Water Or Power On $200

The Federalist ^ | February 23, 2021 | Mike Papa

[olivia3boys]

This is great; a must read. I have a friend who evacuated from Katrina from New Orleans (she drove to FL and it took forever)—she said the same as you, that it was key to have CASH because there were no credit cards for gas at gas stations. She said the bathrooms were also locked so evacuees had to pee in the bushes at gas stations.

I’m in CA and so have a generator to deal with our power outages and also in the fall (fire season) we pack a bag in the front hall to flee with if/when the flames get near.

[DUMBGRUNT]

We recently updated our generator to a Generac inverter type.
Our WM Ultra boiler is more computer than boiler (same for newer furnaces), I only want to feed it pure sine wave electric.
Same for TV, computers, microwave...
Noninverter generators, like my older one typically are a square wave and the frequency is dependent on engine rpm.
This can cause additional heat, not a good thing.
The Honda looks very nice but twice the price.
A friend has had the same Generac for years and uses it often at the track with his race cars.
Honda made in China; Generac made in VIETNAM!!!???

And after reading the article... a heavy steel cable (1/2”), and a puck lock, both very bolt cutter resistant.

“A common generator theft resulted in the unsuspecting homeowner waking up to no power and a lawnmower running in their backyard to replicate the white noise of the generator while its owners were sleeping.”

[central_va]

That cute little box isn’t going to open the main bus breaker to your main panel. You have to have the intelligence to do that before doing anything else.....

[Lurker]

Transfer switch installed by a competent electrician.

And a complete checklist for proper use.

But feel free to break the law. Won’t be my ass in a prison cell when you get careless or distracted or just plain f*** up.

L

[PROCON]

I back feed my gen set through the electric dryer outlet. I get 220vAC and 30 amp service.

I hope you're turning the main breaker off so the generator power doesn't back feed downline to the linemen making repairs.

[central_va]

If someone gets injured or killed you’ll be going to prison.

If I am that stupid I want to be put in prison.

[central_va]

I hope you're turning the main breaker off so the generator power doesn't back feed downline to the linemen making repairs.

Oh really?? I never knew that???? Thanks. /sarcasm

[Lurker]

Maybe someone makes an error when you’re not home....

Dangerous
Illegal
Stupid

L

[rellic]

I live in VERY rural Hawaii. We are exposed to just about every natural disaster you can imagine.(I’m only an hours drive from a blizzard or a volcano). Consequently many people here are prepared for just about anything. In my pantry I have more than six months of supplies. I have a life time of food in and on my land. My water falls from the sky.
My advice is simple, get out of the city, minimize your requirements for government services, and get along with your neighbors. If you are truly Rural, you will at some point need their help and they will need yours.

[ctdonath2]

“ Lessons: Be prepared to evacuate your home in the rain. Know where high ground is located and how you are going to get there. Buy flood insurance.”

Better: don’t live where flooding can occur - ever.

I recall Dad once saying “if we’re ever flooded, Syracuse will be under 900 feet of water.” That really stuck with me. Correct way to mitigate a problem is ensure it can’t happen.

[central_va]

Transfer switch installed by a competent electrician = how much $$$.

Or have a brain and be safe. I'll take option 2.

[Lurker]

“ Transfer switch installed by a competent electrician = how much $$$.”

A case of beer. Good to have friends in the trades.

L

[KevinB]

1. Move to the country;

2. Wire your house for generator power using a transfer switch;

3. Buy one of these or similar:

4. Get about five 20lb propane tanks and keep them full (propane can be stored for years without fouling and may be more available than gas during a crisis);

5. Have about 25 gallons of gas available in containers;

6. Fill up all cars with gas if there is a warning of trouble coming.

7. Get a Gastapper so you can easily siphon gas out of vehicles if needed for generator;

8. If in a cold climate, get a Mr. Heater so you can heat one room, such as a bedroom, using propane rather than running the generator for the whole house.

9. Have something like this stored in your basement; and

10. Most importantly, tell only your most trusted neighbors that you have any of this stuff. :-)

[central_va]

Maybe someone makes an error when you’re not home....

If I leave my home then the gen set goes off. Simple, isn't it?

I agree if done wrong there is a POSSIBILITY of danger. But...If a lineman grabs a raw wire without checking for line voltage first who is at fault? I assume a lineman can do that easily. I know I would.

[cweese]

I’m scheduled to have a generac whole house generator installed in 2 weeks. $6k installed price for a house my size. Runs on natural gas with a propane backup.

[beef]

“They used to snicker and laugh at “survivalists”.”

Survivalists that go on TV and tell the world what they got stashed deserve to be snickered at.

“Now neighbors come over sheepishly and try to call in old favors”

Sorry, buddy, I’m in the same pickle you are.

[Lurker]

“ But...If a lineman grabs a raw wire without checking for line voltage first who is at fault?”

He’s checked it before he started his work. While he’s at it some s*** head fires up his illegally hooked up genset, sends 220 volts at 30 amps down the line, and kills him.

Then make that argument in front of a jury. Let me know how it works out for you.

L

[weiner56]

My neighbor hasn’t had any utilities in at least 8 years. She seems to do ok.

[PROCON]

How do you make sure when the county power is restored it doesn't blow up your generator and your electrical panel?

Honest question, I'm a retired electrical contractor, get a manual transfer switch, highly recommended.

[central_va]

Then make that argument in front of a jury. Let me know how it works out for you.

Well we all do potentially dangerous things every day. Like drive 2 ton vehicles at 80 mph. Safety first. If you can afford a generator and all the fancy shmancy hookups great. Maybe one day I will do that.