Preparedness for when

Frugalsod

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

You also need to work out how you will keep the stove(s) working.

Both stoves will be wood burning stoves and in a Norwegian forest I should find plenty of firewood. One will be a Kelly Kettle and the other a Biolite stove.

Frugalsod

Cottage_Economy wrote: »

I'm so jealous with all this wonderful talk of Norway. I asked my husband one day to surprise me with a trip to Norway and make sure the Lights and a dog sled experience are in there somewhere.

On a completely different topic, I was cleaning out the freezer this evening after it had a close encounter with split bag of peas and sweetcorn, and it occurred to me just how much I have in there. For a short-ish power cut ( 2-3 days) the freezer would be fine, but for something more long-term it would all perish so I need something that will keep it going.

I've ruled out anything petrol-based such as a generator in case fuel is ever in short supply, plus I can't store a lot on the property due to (I think) legal restrictions. I also don't want it belching out fumes and creating a racket outside the back.

I don't have the desire to do anything like solar panels at the moment, as this is not our forever house and we may be gone in a few years. The next house though definitely.

Does anyone have any ideas on this? Is it even feasible?

I must get a textbook about this sort of thing...my knowledge is very poor.

There are loads of power generation alternatives. If you have space you could use solar panels and get a feed in tariff until power cuts when you could use it yourself. Then you could use microgenerators that use your gas supply to generate electrical power when you need it. If you have a river or stream nearby you could put a simple hydro generator into the stream but you will need a flow to generate.

If you are really organised you could make your own briquettes from waste paper and use on an open fire or Aga for warmth.

nuatha

Cottage_Economy wrote: »

Thanks mardatha. Back to the drawing board.

I wonder if a camping freezer would be an alternative to bring into use in such situations. They're 12v and run straight off a leisure battery.

Having a debate with hubby about this at the moment. It's quite clear neither of us understand power :rotfl:

The nearest equivalent we can get to the situation is how someone who is caravanning and wants to run all the usual appliances on 12v does so without using an electrical hook up or running the car? Some people have off grid caravan holidays and park up for days at a time. How do they charge their leisure batteries?

Solar panel?

Either solar panel, generator or by running the car engine.
You could install solar panels and take them with you when you move - a KW rig would cost about £1000 for a self install kit, and a decent inverter would be another £100.

Frugalsod wrote: »

Both stoves will be wood burning stoves and in a Norwegian forest I should find plenty of firewood. One will be a Kelly Kettle and the other a Biolite stove.

I'd carry a meths burner as well - I've used a Trangia in February in Norway while on climbing trips. Damp firewood is not a good fuel source

Frugalsod wrote: »

There are loads of power generation alternatives. If you have space you could use solar panels and get a feed in tariff until power cuts when you could use it yourself. Then you could use microgenerators that use your gas supply to generate electrical power when you need it. If you have a river or stream nearby you could put a simple hydro generator into the stream but you will need a flow to generate.

If you are really organised you could make your own briquettes from waste paper and use on an open fire or Aga for warmth.

The feed-in tariff control panels shut down without a mains source, leaving you without electricity no matter how sunny it is. It a real SHTF scenario bypassing them is possible, but I suspect this isn't feasible for a few days of no grid power.

jk0

Cottage_Economy wrote: »

Thanks mardatha. Back to the drawing board.

I wonder if a camping freezer would be an alternative to bring into use in such situations. They're 12v and run straight off a leisure battery.

Having a debate with hubby about this at the moment. It's quite clear neither of us understand power :rotfl:

The nearest equivalent we can get to the situation is how someone who is caravanning and wants to run all the usual appliances on 12v does so without using an electrical hook up or running the car? Some people have off grid caravan holidays and park up for days at a time. How do they charge their leisure batteries?

Solar panel?

I don't know if they have made any improvements but my childhood motorcaravaning with my father was very unsatisfactory as regards refrigeration.

The van had a 12 volt fridge which consumed 8 Amps, which flattened the batteries by bedtime. Then you had to crouch on the floor to work the controls in the rear bottom of the fridge to put it on camping gaz. This used a bottle every 3 days which cost around £12 per refill 30 years ago. Also the dealers were hard to find around Europe, so we were constantly draining the batteries to try to save gas.

Edit: My musings here might be helpful:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/64188916#Comment_64188916

Frugalsod

nuatha wrote: »

I'd carry a meths burner as well - I've used a Trangia in February in Norway while on climbing trips. Damp firewood is not a good fuel source.

I do not expect to be that far from civilisation. I could find a great location at the end of someones garden. There is the possibility I might not even get off Tromso island, and will be within walking distance of the town centre and airport.

mardatha

Cottage Economy I find the power stuff impossible to get into my head too. I went into detail on this because we get frequent power cuts here, and the f/f is the only thing I haven't got covered. In the end I had to accept that the only thing to do was rely on it less in winter. I got so many helpful suggestions but all of them involved either a lot of money, or a lot of work + a man who was a) interested and b) able to do it LOL - and mine def isnt!
If I had a family at home I would learn all about canning bottling and preserving, and do that instead. But there are only the two of us so I think we can just do without bulging freezers.
You can get solar freezers which I liked the idea of, but they cost about £900 so out of the question.

Frugalsod

nuatha wrote: »

The feed-in tariff control panels shut down without a mains source, leaving you without electricity no matter how sunny it is. It a real SHTF scenario bypassing them is possible, but I suspect this isn't feasible for a few days of no grid power.

Now that is a stupid idea. Who thought that would be sensible? They should be shot! To have solar generating capacity shut down because of a power cut. I suspect it was the power companies who thought that the customers would simply disconnect themselves and get free electricity.

[Deleted User]

In the debate on freezers and particularly meat in freezers that would rot if the power was out for long periods can I throw into the debate the idea that canned meat is a worthwhile consideration rather than frozen? I know there is a lot of predjudice on canned foods in this day and age but things like corned beef are very versatile and can be used for many dishes that would normally be made with minced beef. I made a shepherds pie with corned beef on Sunday and it was really tasty and I also make hash, pies, pasties with corned beef and have even used it in a hot pot, all work well. Stewed steak is the other very versatile canned product I'm never without. If you have fresh veg and fruit in your diet along with the canned foods you'll stay healthy and your canned foods will last well on the shelf and all the worry over the power supply will not be a factor in your lives, Lyn xxx.

mardatha

Yep MrsL, and some tins of stew and chicken are really nice. Plus the famous secret weapon of FB pies!

Frugalsod

mardatha wrote: »

Yep MrsL, and some tins of stew and chicken are really nice. Plus the famous secret weapon of FB pies!

I do find that the supermarkets Chicken in white sauce is particularly good and good value as well especially being frugal at the same time.