Preparedness for when

nuatha

alltrustgone wrote: »

Nuatha, you are truly a star. It's definitely not more than I wanted to know, and is certainly a lot more than I knew this morning. I didn't even realise there were AC and DC generators. I even get what you have explained, which makes me feel much more confident to learn more. Thank you very much for taking the time.:A

ATG

You're very welcome, and if you've other questions I'll do my best to answer them.
I try to keep explanations understandable, its nice to know that sometimes I succeed.

I have a small genny, its main use has been to power tools while working on an off grid holiday property. If SHTF in a major way I probably wouldn't be using it, they are very loud and rather smelly - there's no way you could use one discretely (at least living in a town, as I do) Therefore it would attract attention and be a target for thieves.
A good few years back I built an oil barrel wind generator and used it to power lighting and a radio. If I was living in a more exposed environment (middle of a town is not the best place for wind at low levels) I'd be very tempted to revisit that project with some of the modern tech from wind turbines - there's also a lot more devices that can be run on 12-24 volts these days.

nuatha

melanzana wrote: »

A universal charge is on the way folks. Look at Germany in the above link for example.

Given the current government's attitude I suspect they are more likely to follow the example of Finland, a tax on every adult. (The German model is per household, which would put more power in the hands of local authorities, as central government doesn't have a taxation model based on households). I would also expect them to apply the tax to benefit claimants (deducting the tax prior to payment).

alltrustgone

I remember the noise from the ex's generators. I just had to google oil barrel wind generator and happy to say that I get that too. Nothing like my first woefully literal thought of how on earth could you generate power from a barrel of oil and what, maybe something with fins on!! see what a disadvantage I have.:o When we were growing up, my brother learned all the how things work technical stuff - cars, construction, wiring, carpentry from Dad, with me the traditional female stuff from Mum. My all-girl school didn't add anything to the technical knowledge base. I do envy your skills and knowledge. Apart from anything else it must be great fun to plan, do and make work. Thanks again, you really have made me feel less out of my depth.

ATG

nuatha

alltrustgone wrote: »

I remember the noise from the ex's generators. I just had to google oil barrel wind generator and happy to say that I get that too. Nothing like my first woefully literal thought of how on earth could you generate power from a barrel of oil and what, maybe something with fins on!! see what a disadvantage I have.:o When we were growing up, my brother learned all the how things work technical stuff - cars, construction, wiring, carpentry from Dad, with me the traditional female stuff from Mum. My all-girl school didn't add anything to the technical knowledge base. I do envy your skills and knowledge. Apart from anything else it must be great fun to plan, do and make work. Thanks again, you really have made me feel less out of my depth.

ATG

We all start somewhere, I may have had a bit of a head start, Mum's family were small holders and farmers, Dad was a butcher, his mum was an excellent cook. Though I should have learned more than I did - ain't hindsight wonderful.
Some 25 years ago a friend loaned me a copy of John Seymour's Complete Guide to Self Sufficiency (the link is to a slideshow of the book, I highly recommend getting a real copy from the library or cheaply off Amazon) I've just found out that there is a new updated version, mine is ancient with a simple yellow cover. Its where I discovered the oil drum windmill.
The only person I can think of who went to an all girl's school, out shoots me and welded the oil drum for me.
I've lots yet to learn and have benefited from more than a few of the posters in this (and other) thread(s).
One thing I have learned is that being able to feed folk goes a long way to being able to get just about any other skill you can find and helping you learn how to do things.

GreyQueen

melanzana wrote: »

I have been reading and enjoying this thread. Thanks so much, but Don't have much to contribute yet!

But on the subject of the TV license. Look what is happening in the Republic of Ireland... They are going to charge EVERY SINGLE HOUSEHOLD with a "broadcast charge" regardless of whether or not you have a tv, internet, smart phone etc.

I think it's the same in France.

You have been warned!

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/every-single-home-to-be-hit-with-new-broadcasting-charge-29428338.html

Y'know, these politicians are starting to show their desperation as they attempt to gouge ever more out of the population to feed their bloated habits.

My attitude is; I pay my ISP out of post-tax earned income. They're a UK company paying UK taxes. That's enough for you already, government. We may have to follow the New Zealanders into a mass public revolt.

Next on the agenda; taxing you on the number of windows in your home. Why not, it's been done before? They called it daylight robbery and you can still see older homes with bricked up windows here and there, there are several in my hometown.

maryb, many thanks for the heads-up about the kilner seals. I was after some of those as several of mine are on the way out and was expecting to pay a lot more than that. Will be up to Wilkos today and hope to get several. That's what I love about MSE, the sharing of the little details as well as the big thoughts. Nice work on the discount, too.

Was pleased to put the radio on at 7 and hear that the prime minister didn't get his way. Disappointed that the majority was only 13 strong. Seems like some have "grown a set", to use a colourful phrase. Will have to check what my coalition muppet did; they're known in our area as that bliddy idiot and not expected to keep their seat next time.

Yup, I think there will be more attempts to stir the pot in Syria, am noting that this morning's lead news was an attack on a school playground with an incendary possibly containing napalm.

Nothing is more emotive that murdered or injured children (nor should it be, it is beyond vile) so I expect that those who are attempting to escalate the situation will target more children. So that other countries can whale in with moral indignaton, and then apologise later for the collateral damage which kills and traumatises even more children.

***********

Yesterday, I followed Mrs LW 's (where are you, pet, been missing your posts?) tip and went into a 99p Store and purchased several packs of that Seeds of Ch*ange rice. You can heat it in a pan with only 2 tbsp of water or microwave it.

I'd be pan-heating on the butane stove. It's 99p, natch, and contains two portions. I wouldn't normally buy this kind of product as would cook rice and make and additions in the kitchen, but we are considering a possible water off/ power down situation. They're dated til Feb 2014 but I shall treat that with my usual pinch of salt.

I also saw that they have a similar product in £land; fancy T*lda rice in pouches with the same prep method.

I also bought a cast iron skillet in a c.s. Which I have just bumped on my toes. Heavy, ain't they? Could probably use it to deflect bullets but was planning to try oat cakes. Has anyone cooked them on a skillet and willing to share advice? What else is skillet-friendly cookery, please?

nuatha

GreyQueen wrote: »

Yesterday, I followed Mrs LW 's (where are you, pet, been missing your posts?)

Lyn's away for a couple of days - she mentions it in the "Doorstep" thread. I think its this weekend that her daughter is getting married.

Sunshine4

GreyQueen wrote: »

***********

Yesterday, I followed Mrs LW 's (where are you, pet, been missing your posts?) tip and went into a 99p Store and purchased several packs of that Seeds of Ch*ange rice.

GreyQueen, Mrs LWs is away for a few days as her daughter gets married tomorrow.

Well my shoulder is on the mend thanks to some surgery and physio so I now can type with both hands , it was impossible with only one. I have been reading though. Lots of good post and information.


Denise

mardatha

Thanks to fairyprincess for an informative post on the Syria/Russia/China guddle. It's worth following because silly wee things like this do have the habit of erupting into trouble. Why can't we mind our own business? and dropping bombs into that mess is hardly going to help the innocent people is it :mad:
Although I did giggle at Cameron coming out of number 10 with his wee "tough guy" face on... looks more like he's got his knickers on sideways :rotfl:
Re gennies, I'm still stuck for ways to keep the f/f running. We do get powercuts often in high winds or deep snow but so far only once did I lose the contents, when it was off for 5 days. The week after I bought it, I found you could get solar powered ones - would have gone for that instead I think.

craigywv

GreyQueen wrote: »

Y'know, these politicians are starting to show their desperation as they attempt to gouge ever more out of the population to feed their bloated habits.

My attitude is; I pay my ISP out of post-tax earned income. They're a UK company paying UK taxes. That's enough for you already, government. We may have to follow the New Zealanders into a mass public revolt.

Next on the agenda; taxing you on the number of windows in your home. Why not, it's been done before? They called it daylight robbery and you can still see older homes with bricked up windows here and there, there are several in my hometown.

maryb, many thanks for the heads-up about the kilner seals. I was after some of those as several of mine are on the way out and was expecting to pay a lot more than that. Will be up to Wilkos today and hope to get several. That's what I love about MSE, the sharing of the little details as well as the big thoughts. Nice work on the discount, too.

Was pleased to put the radio on at 7 and hear that the prime minister didn't get his way. Disappointed that the majority was only 13 strong. Seems like some have "grown a set", to use a colourful phrase. Will have to check what my coalition muppet did; they're known in our area as that bliddy idiot and not expected to keep their seat next time.

Yup, I think there will be more attempts to stir the pot in Syria, am noting that this morning's lead news was an attack on a school playground with an incendary possibly containing napalm.

Nothing is more emotive that murdered or injured children (nor should it be, it is beyond vile) so I expect that those who are attempting to escalate the situation will target more children. So that other countries can whale in with moral indignaton, and then apologise later for the collateral damage which kills and traumatises even more children.

***********

Yesterday, I followed Mrs LW 's (where are you, pet, been missing your posts?) tip and went into a 99p Store and purchased several packs of that Seeds of Ch*ange rice. You can heat it in a pan with only 2 tbsp of water or microwave it.

I'd be pan-heating on the butane stove. It's 99p, natch, and contains two portions. I wouldn't normally buy this kind of product as would cook rice and make and additions in the kitchen, but we are considering a possible water off/ power down situation. They're dated til Feb 2014 but I shall treat that with my usual pinch of salt.

I also saw that they have a similar product in £land; fancy T*lda rice in pouches with the same prep method.

I also bought a cast iron skillet in a c.s. Which I have just bumped on my toes. Heavy, ain't they? Could probably use it to deflect bullets but was planning to try oat cakes. Has anyone cooked them on a skillet and willing to share advice? What else is skillet-friendly cookery, please?

regarding cast iron skillet..............over here in the olden days we made our soda bread on skillets/griddles ,I still do make mine that way as I don't like the thought of doing it in the oven, also thick pancakes ,fruit griddles,and many more. hth.

mardatha

Oatcakes