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Just throwing in my .02. The battery operated light sources are a must, as the local fire departments actually FROWN on the use of "emergency candles". The OPEN FLAME is a bigger concern than the mess from dripping wax. I dont think I've even seen them for sale in a few years now.
Generator is an absolute must! For those that are on a budget, look at the generators sold at "Harbor Freight". Yes, they are cheap chinese knockoffs of the Honda types. But they are at least a good proven design, and many parts are interchangeable. I've had no issues with mine.
There are also propane conversion kits available for the gasoline carburetors on said generators. This provides a less expensive, safer alternative, than having many gallons of gasoline laying about, and gives less emissions as well. Plus if you have the LP stove, you can just hook up to a source of fuel you already have plenty of on hand.
One other note regarding gasoline generators...Many folks just put the generator away when the power comes back on, and forget about it until the next time it is needed. Unfortunatly in the meantime, the gasoline has gone stale, and gummed up the carburetor, or will foul the spark plug soon after getting it started. As it has been a few years since we've needed them around here, and, as we are approaching the peak of the storm season now, I'd suggest that everyone take a few minutes to go check on your generator. Check the oil level, start it up, make sure it is in proper operating condition. Ten minutes AFTER the power has gone out is not the best time to find out your generator isnt working.
Regarding noise, they all make noise, even the one's in RV's. It is more a function of the muffler on the generator, and a "hush box" which is the case in the RV scenario. A large cardboard box, lined with a couple layers of the styrofoam sheeting you get at Home Depot, or Lowe's will quiet the sound considerably. Just make sure the exhaust can get out, and fresh air can get in, the generator's engine is air cooled.
Last edited by Compression; 08-12-2008 at 12:22 PM..
I didn't see anyone mention owning a chainsaw? Well they are worth a lot more than the purchase price if you can clean up the mess of downed trees if you have them that can fall on your property. If not physically challenged to use one they can save a bundle on clean up.
Very good!!!
Not that I think I need to mention (but ya'll don't know my BIL) get a gas powered one.
I swear....he bought an electric one, came to our house that had no power to help cut up a tree and couldn't figure out why we cracked up!! Poor dead brain cells.
Very good!!!
Not that I think I need to mention (but ya'll don't know my BIL) get a gas powered one.
I swear....he bought an electric one, came to our house that had no power to help cut up a tree and couldn't figure out why we cracked up!! Poor dead brain cells.
This is hysterical! Maybe he was having a blond moment.
One more little thing. Well three red things. 3 five gallon gas cans. Fill 'em up for the generator 2 days prior. If ya miss out then put it in your car. No harm done. After Charley hit there wasn't a gas can to be had for miles. Generators with out gas are like the electric chain saw with the power off. Maybe some one made mention of the gas cans already. I may have missed it. That's what happens with age ya know.
Got 200 gallons of vegetable oil and the Bobcat's running great. Running the house on the generator as a test. Got about two tons of cut and split wood. A tropical storm is enough to knock out power. I doubt it will be necessary this year.
Got 200 gallons of vegetable oil and the Bobcat's running great. Running the house on the generator as a test. Got about two tons of cut and split wood. A tropical storm is enough to knock out power. I doubt it will be necessary this year.
Let's hope lady FAY doesn't put you to the test. Just got of off the NOAA site and if all goes wrong you may get the eastern wall of the storm by Monday.
Let's hope lady FAY doesn't put you to the test. Just got of off the NOAA site and if all goes wrong you may get the eastern wall of the storm by Monday.
Bring it on! I would love the property value reductions a hurricane would bring!I will not be so lucky.
Very good!!!
Not that I think I need to mention (but ya'll don't know my BIL) get a gas powered one.
I swear....he bought an electric one, came to our house that had no power to help cut up a tree and couldn't figure out why we cracked up!! Poor dead brain cells.
Oh too funny!! Thanks for that - I needed a good laugh.
Regarding generators - they would be a blessing to have during a power outage. We were without power for a week after Jeanne. Didn't have a generator then and it was so HOT in our little house. We sat in lawn chairs in our driveway at night, as did the neighbors - too hot to be in the house. We'd occasionally sit in the car with the A/C on, just to cool off. A battery-powered fan would be a good thing to have, too.
SouthAfrica75 asked about battery-powered digital tv, since our analog ones will be useless after February (yeah, you're right - thanks to the govt, grr). I read recently that Radio Shack is carrying them. The price is steep, but it's bound to go down in time.
With us, the day before expected landfall, we cooked all the food we had and sealed it in containers and ziplock baggies in the fridge. Stocked the freezer full of bags of ice. Filled the tubs with water. Made sure we were stocked with gallons upon gallons of water. Fill all propane tanks you have available - a good grill is a life saver.
Once we lost power we started transferring bags of ice and food to coolers.
The last one we went through in 2006 we lost power for 10 days. Hubby worked for Collier County Sheriff's Office so he was pulled in for 12 hour shifts and had to live in his sub station. They allowed him to run home the day after it passed to take a nap, but that was it. The guys that were out on the road would stop in to check on the families right after to let the guys in the subs know we were ok. Other than that, we were on our own.
The kids actually loved it. To them it was like camping. I'd made pancakes before the cane came through so the morning after it passed we heated up pancakes on the grill.
You also learn that a sand covered tile floor is just going to be life for a bit. It's all cleanable later!
There is an archive of old photos of FL pioneers before electricity was available to go out. I guess it was business as usual for them. Can anyone imagine living from a covered wagon in the woods during a hurricane? After following this thread it helps me to understand & appreciate just how good we have it even if the power goes of for a few weeks.
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