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Old 09-29-2008, 02:02 AM   #6
Anchor
Avalon Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 2,280
Default Re: Preparing for the [possible] Grid Collapse

My personal expectation is that any form of electrical grid collapse would not be that prolonged (ie: many months). But it could happen, and the longer the power is out, the nastier it becomes.

I've given this some thought and have already written a bit in my essay on "urban inconveniences" see other thread in this forum - that is only focussed on the high likelihood scenarios.

I like to think about this as follows

a) 4hrs-48hrs: "Highley likely" - everyone should have plan for this WITHOUT EXCEPTION

b) 48hrs - 5days: - "Very likely" - natural disasters cause this all the time, everyone should have a plan but if you dont, you will probably still get by ok so long as you have the basics.

c) 5 days - 2weeks - moderately likely, people should have at least thought about this and decided if they want to plan for it or not. Towards the end of this time, if there is light at the end of the tunnel, then fine, otherwise you are facing a rapidly deteriorating situation with other priorities likely to be more important that electricity - like procuring water.

d) 2 weeks - 2 months - much less likely, however it can and does happen, and if it does happen, living through it in an urban setting is going to suck.

e) 2 months or more - IMHO, not very likely, but people planning to be ready to live off-grid in non-urban settings will be well acquainted with the drill and it is what this thread is all about.

The advantage is that your planned response can be stepwise. Worth through the more likely risks first and then start working on the less probable stuff.

One shortcut solution (with attendant shortcomings, particularly with regard to OPSEC) is to own a decent 4 stroke 2kw petrol generator and a couple of 20L Jerry with fuel will help you deal with everything from (a) to (c). Remember to keep the fuel less than 3 months old, in an approved container, or ensure you have stabilised it at the point of purchase with a commercial fuel stabiliser/preservative. The best containers are metal and completely airtight. Mil-spec jerry cans with good seals cannot be beat in this regard.

Having effective knowledge that enables you to use an inverter, batteries and solar panels will also help. If you get a big enough sety-up you can run things like a domestic fridge.

Conversion or adaption of your most imporant toys to function off of a 12V supply will probably see you through (a) to (d).

(e) which is what this thread is about, really requires a full off-grid arrangement. This needs to be set-up and working, so that you do not need to give it any thought - then if you are still in an urban setting you can use your time dealing with the probably lack of water and sanitation and the golden horde.

In some situations you get rolling powercuts. This requires modified planning - and your batteries and inverter can really be a godsend here. Charge the batteries when the power is available and use the inverter when it isnt. Like a computer UPS only bigger and more heavy duty

I have a lot more on this, when I get time I will write it all down.

Final note: If you are going to use anything that burns or even with combustion engines, please invest in fire-extinguishers and fire-blankets. Have the means to fight a fire available within 8-10m or any location in your house/living place. Augment this will smoke detectors and CO detectors as necessary.

A..

PS: I realise I am not reposing to the text of the OP, but I am responding to the heading
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