It’s not IF the electric/electronics grid will go down – it’s WHEN.
On one hand, this SHOULD kill the Left as a viable party.
But, let’s be serious – the Left will manage to find a way to blame US for it happening.
If you don’t already:
- Get a decent generator, preferably one that could be converted to steam/alternative energy. I make no claims about this link’s usefulness, but it’s a start.
- Buy some solar panels, in a variety of sizes. I’m looking to get this briefcase-sized one, for emergencies/bug-out bag. It’s not big enough to run your home’s needs, but it could provide short-term backup. Otherwise, you’ll want at least 2 100-watt panels. Find out to hook them up in a way that doesn’t require a permanent rooftop installation. The link to RV hookup sounds interesting. Get an electrician to assist you, if you’re not that handy (but, make sure you understand the process, should you have to do it again at a new place).
- Keep a portable car-starter/backup electricity source available – these are multi-purpose, and, yes, I have tested them out. They work as advertised, and will run your amateur radio, as well. Get one that can handle 12-volt needs. The others won’t cut it in emergencies. And, keep them fully charged, when you DO have power.
- Buy the GMRS radios – get a 2-4 pack – you will want to be able to hand them out to trusted close-by friends and neighbors. Talk to your neighborhood association about buying some, and using them in neighborhood patrols/practice. Normally, I don’t like giving Walmart my money, but having a local source is important, too.
- For those with children, strongly consider taking them into homeschool mode. It’s safer for the whole family, and it gives you the opportunity to teach them useful skills.
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This may help when fuel for the generator becomes unavailable: http://www.build-a-gasifier.com/PDF/FEMA_emergency_gasifier.pdf
Author
Thanks for the link – I’ll check it out.
You bog-standard home PV system only works if the grid is live so it can feed power back into it. A whole-house generator (or battery-backed PV system) will have a transfer switch to disconnect the grid if you start running on internal power. Don’t connect your generator to the house without one, and don’t rig up a back-feed without opening your main panel breaker.It is a huge safety hazard for a random house to energize your local distribution system when the main grid is down.
Author
Yeah, those are the systems that the companies will install “free”. They are hard-wired to your house rooftop, can screw up your insurance, and don’t work like users anticipate, when the grid is down.
I favor the home-brew systems, installed with some oversight from a qualified person. They might be solar panels that can be flipped up or easily detached, should the weather turn bad or you need to bug-out, but don’t want to lose your investment. There should be switches installed that the USER controls, not the electric company.
My radio club had a presentation from a guy who added solar that way. Not needed at that time, but I wish I had looked ahead, and done it.
I have a PV/battery system from Solar Edge (installed by Sunrun) that powers 4 critical circuits if the main grid is down. I did find the system didn’t pick up during an extended brownout, I had to open my main feed breaker to shift over. I was able to pay cash, so no lease or buy-back issues and I got the full Fed tax credit. My techie brother is installing a whole-house system using gear from Enphase that includes provision for a backup generator as well. Not home-brew for sure but fully grid-compatible with the ability to sell power back during the day.