Preparedness for when

danih

We do have one of those yellow things - but of course it wasn't charged, so no use in a hurry. Lesson learnt!!!

Will look up the other whatsit. Has been a valuable prepper lesson for me today. I am not remotely car minded. Didn't learn til I was 30, and even now I deliberately use the garages where staff put the diesel in for you and will also put in the screen wash if you ask nicely I do think I take for granted that my car is always working, there will always be diesel easily available to stock up, and always someone easily available to fix any problems. And so far, in my experience that has pretty much been the case. As of this morning I now no how to jump-start a car myself - just in case. Does make me think about what else could go wrong, and what else I really should learn to do, just in case.

GreyQueen

Morning all.

danih, sorry you had this experience and I read that you have replaced your car's battery, but I would like to give my two-pennorth to anyone with an old battery at this time of the year - replace it NOW.

I've worked for a car parts factor who sold batteries among other things. Through late spring, summer and early autumn, demand for batteries is fairly low. Most small garages will have 2-3 of the commonest ones on shelf and rely on the parts factors for the rest, ordering as they go. The factors run a pretty low inventory for most of the year, but will have them by the palletful, starting shortly.

What happens on the first frosty morning is this; the phones at the parts factor ring off the hook. It's insane. Joe Public will find their car won't start. Garages will quickly exhaust their stocks, and order more in. Any carpy old battery will turn an engine over in warmish weather but it's a totally different story on a cold morning. The first hard frost will kill a lot of weak batteries and leave a lot of people greatly inconvenienced.

The general public can deal with parts factors, just call them up and tell them what you want. They'll ask who you're ringing from; don't be put out, it's because each garage they deal with will be on a percentage discount over retail, according to how much biz they do with the factor. This doesn't mean that discount is passed to the customer, btw; it isn't. Car parts factoring is a highly competitive business and they offer discounts to the garages to get their biz, that's extra profit on the garage's bottom line. Just say 'private sale' and they'll quote you the list price plus VAT.

I appreciate most of us need an extra bill like we need a hole in the head, but if you know your battery is old and a bit feeble, and you rely on your car, please think about a pre-emptive replacement before it conks out on you.

[Deleted User]

doh. I hit a wall with dh when I said that I was ordering some 5l containers of water with my internet shop tomorrow. Why do you need that, you have filters that can filter any dirty water? He will be out tomorrow when it comes and I`ll simply replace empty 5l PET containers that I use if I make 1 gal of wine. I didn`t bother justifying, no point. It comes with age lol, I just know in my mind that I am right so I get on with it. Water for cooking was the missing link in my preps tbh

someone wanted the soap site, second time I have used them and no probs. No time to read back, sorry ,https://www.carbolicsoap.com/

I got out a `faith in nature` lavender soap bar that I had in and wow, what absolutely gorgeous creamy soap. Brilliant for presents

I am busy crocheting a hot water bottle cover. Hard going as I have only ever done basic crochet but now cables and twisted stiches. From http://www.amazon.co.uk/Easy-Crochet-Weekend-Nicki-Trench/dp/060062837X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413276812&sr=8-1&keywords=easy+crochet+weekend
Gob smacking prices on etsy and noton the highstreet which to be fair only reflects the hours spent. Around £40 for a plain cover made in thick but nice, wool

I have also ordered chocolate as the virus is likely to hit the cocoa plantations and I admit to being completely addicted

jk0

Hmm.

I think this replacement battery business is a fiddle. If people would invest in a hydrometer and a slow charger, (the cost of both being less than a battery) they would not have to buy batteries half so often.

ZTD

jk0 wrote: »

Hmm.

I think this replacement battery business is a fiddle. If people would invest in a hydrometer and a slow charger, (the cost of both being less than a battery) they would not have to buy batteries half so often.

Battery technology is on the cusp of a change anyway. Supercaps are getting better and better. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUXM1XuLUIs

Should also help the hybrid car industry at some point.

[Deleted User]

I've been thinking this morning..... I know, what on earth now??? Well I've been wondering how much use all this extra kit would be if the SHTF event was so big and so life changing that we never did get back to 'normal' life? If the grid did go down permanently or was damaged beyond repair by a Solar Storm or we had a pandemic that meant most of the world population was ill and it went on for months would the battery powered gadgets really be any use long term? if replacement batteries were available the answer is yes but if not? wouldn't we be better off having real alternatives to use that didn't depend on 21st century technologies to keep it in use? I may be pessimistic but I think that having alternatives you can make or maintain yourself from materials you find available in your local vacinity might be a better long term survival prospect.

craigywv

good point Lynn that's why I think open fire/log burners for heating /cooking/boiling water to cook /wash/and launder clothes, water butts water storage etc.... and food preps,clothing,cash,gold etc,are more for me to prep for I not really prepping for major end of world electricity meltdown sort of thing as its beyond my capability to do too much about it,i just want to survive it, and maybe ease the journey with some easy preps.WELLLLLLLLLLLLLL after consuming an extremely large cafetiere of very strong java an hour or so ago I got a tremendous explosion of energy surprise surprise, washed the windows did a wash and decided to have a look at my winter spuds that I planted a while ago..........................im the proud parent of ,if I dig them up now about half a tonne of baby spuds!!!!!!!!!! do I leave them in and wait for them to grow to big ones like you can make chips with HELP PLEASE!!!!! what should I do. also I planted beetroot ages ago and to be honest forgot about them as they were in amongst the spuds well as I was gently excavating during my caffeine explosion I have found loads of them and they are massive at least 3 times the size of a golf ball so pickling today. now im not showing off here but my turnips are also massive ok im showing off now , I don't care im a gardener im elated I have mastered the art of self sufficiency what have I learned from last year........................leave the bloody plants alone and stop poking them and forget about them and they do their own thing im delighted. ok I will have to go as my fingers are typing too slow for my caffeine enduced mind and im getting palpatations just thinking about veg bye for now oh yes what do I do about the potatoes dig up or grow sorry for rambling xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Mojisola

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

I've been thinking this morning..... I know, what on earth now??? Well I've been wondering how much use all this extra kit would be if the SHTF event was so big and so life changing that we never did get back to 'normal' life? If the grid did go down permanently or was damaged beyond repair by a Solar Storm or we had a pandemic that meant most of the world population was ill and it went on for months would the battery powered gadgets really be any use long term? if replacement batteries were available the answer is yes but if not? wouldn't we be better off having real alternatives to use that didn't depend on 21st century technologies to keep it in use? I may be pessimistic but I think that having alternatives you can make or maintain yourself from materials you find available in your local vacinity might be a better long term survival prospect.

If things ever get that bad, then there will be many, many deaths. All the people who rely on medication or medical interventions to keep them healthy will go quickly. Many will be killed or injured by people wanting whatever goods they have or by thugs who know they can get away with anything as society breaks down. Many of those who are left will die of starvation.

Being competent in the basic skills that allowed our ancestors to survive won't be of much help unless you're living out in the wilds where you'll escape the worst aspects of society's breakdown.

All too awful to think about - prepare for what you can and keep your fingers crossed that the worst will never happen.

[Deleted User]

Having some idea though would give you a fighting chance if luck was on your side and you could get to the wilds wouldn't it?

Mojisola

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

Having some idea though would give you a fighting chance if luck was on your side and you could get to the wilds wouldn't it?

How many refugees from populated areas would be allowed to settle by the people who already live in the wilder areas and who will want to protect their families, crops and animals?

Of course, it's good to know how to manage without all the modern conveniences we are fortunate to have in order to get through short-term problems but don't have any illusions that if things go bad in a big way, many of us won't survive.