being prepared

[Michael Rolls]

can't remember which one it was, but a few days ago a minister said there was no prospect of power cuts this winter. Given the performance of this government to date (has there ever been such a shambles in so short a time?) I have immediately started to prepare for the inevitable!
I already have a one ring camping gas device and am ordering a bigger version. More gas canisters on order for the existing device, a hot water bottle, a non-electric kettle, AA batteries for a couple of floor standing battery lights - oh, and nearly forgot - candles!
Mike

[Alex]

Bet you were in the boy scouts ! 😁
I've got some candles, that's about it.

[klondike]

I have a camping gas stove and gas which I bought after my susbstation caught fire some years ago and there was an extended power outage. I have plenty of torches and the like already. Candles can be dangerous. I'd likely just go to bed for warmth.  I bought a UPS months ago to keep my WiFi going for a couple of hours or so. in the event of power cuts

[Alex]

Whats a UPS ?

[Raven]

No candles here but several torches and a few packs of batteries. Also a few hot water bottles. I often use one during the evening while I'm watching telly. The past couple of years I've been getting a good bit of pain in the small of my back and a hot water bottle tucked in there feels good and helps. Got flasks we can fill with coffee and plenty of bread/rolls ect to make sandwiches if needed. We were told we'd get warned when any outage would be, so we can have hot meals around that. 👌

[Cassandra]

can't remember which one it was, but a few days ago a minister said there was no prospect of power cuts this winter. Given the performance of this government to date (has there ever been such a shambles in so short a time?) I have immediately started to prepare for the inevitable!
I already have a one ring camping gas device and am ordering a bigger version. More gas canisters on order for the existing device, a hot water bottle, a non-electric kettle, AA batteries for a couple of floor standing battery lights - oh, and nearly forgot - candles!
Mike

Don't think theres any worries yet, where I am Mike. When I purchased out here I was surprised how many houses have standby power reserves. Probably because of Hurricanes etc and also the high reliance on overground power lines with their susceptibility to the sweeping high winds over vast empty plains. There are also a number of battery powered lights throughout the property fed by a basement sited rechargeable storage unit about the size of a large suitcase, they cut in if the mains illumination and ignition power to the boilers fails.

Also theres a sunken 1,000 gallon oil tank underneath the basement floor and in between it's foundations, with an offset fill on the side of the house. The tank is only about a foot high apparently, but extends for most of the house footprint. Theres also a 2nd boiler (oil fed), which distributes output to the underfloor heating and hot water creation. A generator is in the basement and that likewise cuts in automatically in the event of a 'power outage'. Its very impressive how it all works and it gets checked every Autumn when the 'boilers' get serviced.

[Diasi]

Don't think theres any worries yet, where I am Mike. When I purchased out here I was surprised how many houses have standby power reserves. Probably because of Hurricanes etc and also the high reliance on overground power lines with their susceptibility to the sweeping high winds over vast empty plains. There are also a number of battery powered lights throughout the property fed by a basement sited rechargeable storage unit about the size of a large suitcase, they cut in if the mains illumination and ignition power to the boilers fails.

Also theres a sunken 1,000 gallon oil tank underneath the basement floor and in between it's foundations, with an offset fill on the side of the house. The tank is only about a foot high apparently, but extends for most of the house footprint. Theres also a 2nd boiler (oil fed), which distributes output to the underfloor heating and hot water creation. A generator is in the basement and that likewise cuts in automatically in the event of a 'power outage'. Its very impressive how it all works and it gets checked every Autumn when the 'boilers' get serviced.

It sounds absolutely marvellous & the more you post about it the happier I am that you're living your dream life in such a lovely area.

All that practical technology! I'd be in my element.

I'm thinking of getting a small generator, which I'll connect to the consumer unit, with enough kWh output to feed the lights, internet & boiler.

[klondike]

Whats a UPS ?

Uninterruptible power supply. It's a box with a battery and some circuitry in it. When the power cuts it carries on providing power for a while. It doesn't take a lot of power to keep a router running so providing the internet connection itself isn't effected which it shouldn't be I should be able to use a tablet for a few hours. Better than just sitting in the dark.

[Michael Rolls]

Cassandra - sounds absolutely ideal! Clearly you have made an excellent decision in your choice of domicile
Mike

[Jacqueline]

Cassandra, I am quite envious, sounds a wonderful place and you have all the backup you need. 

Diasi, we have bought ourselves a small generator, I can't tell you much about it as my husband is the one who understands it.  Should be enough power to  keep the oil boiler going, the TV, fridges and a light, we have a gas camping stove too.  After last winter on one of the coldest days when the power went off for two days we want to be prepared. 

[Cassandra]

Thank you all. The previous owner was another elderly man who died intestate and with no relatives. He was an architect, very wealthy and designed the place with equisite attention to detail. There's an iron framed 'safe room', with a door 14" thick, ducted aircon (no wall units, except the out buildings). Armour plated telephone cabling and the most complicated burglar alarm system, incorporating hidden/disguised cameras a network of laser beams and pressure pads etc etc I've ever seen.

And of course Boris's tower!

[Alex]

Safe to say you're safe then Cass   
What is Boris's tower  ?

[Cassandra]

Safe to say you're safe then Cass   
What is Boris's tower  ?

Its a clock tower my predecessor built, where my resident Boreal Owl, "Boris" resides. He drops in via the kitchen window most mornings to sit on the mixer tap and enjoy some grilled bacon before departing for a kip to his 'eyrie'. I had a little radiator installed as it will be bitter cold in a few weeks time and we also turned the clock chimes off, so he can get some peace and quiet!



[aged attachment deleted by system]

[Alex]

Of course I'd forgotten about the owl.  You are an old softie Cass, I wish there were more about.

[Diasi]

Thank you all. The previous owner was another elderly man who died intestate and with no relatives. He was an architect, very wealthy and designed the place with equisite attention to detail. There's an iron framed 'safe room', with a door 14" thick, ducted aircon (no wall units, except the out buildings). Armour plated telephone cabling and the most complicated burglar alarm system, incorporating hidden/disguised cameras a network of laser beams and pressure pads etc etc I've ever seen.

And of course Boris's tower!

That sounds amazing, you could qualfy as a 'prepper'  , & Boris is one lucky owl.