Thread: power is back!!!

after 5 days with out power i can finally get my RAD going again!! some serious wind took out trees all over southern NH thank god it wasnt too cold to freeze the pipes,just felt like a pilgrim on a cold camping trip.

I'd die if I had to go 5 days with no internet...

Or I'd just hone by candle light and get a lot of work done...

We were NINE days without power after the remnants of Hurricane Ivan came through Ohio. While the neighbors cable phone and modem died, our land line phone and DSL continued to work. The output of our DSL modem's wall wart, like many wall warts, is 12VDC, so battery backup is easy. The propane-powered grill served for cooking and the cajun cooker provided hot bath and shaving water. Besides flashlights, we have vintage kerosene lamps, and a kerosene heater to assist the fireplace, the latter not necessary at that time of year.

It was exciting the first few days, but soon got old--even with two Honda EU2000i generators to keep the food in the frigs cold, and the laptop and backup batteries, including that for the sump pump, charged. FWIW, we spent more in gasoline for the generators than the value of the food in the frigs.

I know what you mean.9 days no power during The Ice Storm in "98.No generator.Thank goodness for a wood stove,and lanterns (propane and kerosene) and I will never be without a gas cook stove in this cold Northeast.

I don't think many folks know how important a gas cookstove is if things get bad in the winter. I was thankful for mine, but sold my house & moved into the wifes. At least we have a gas wall heater...

Back 6 or so years ago two hurricanes in one year left me without power for 10 days one time and 12 days the second time. Not pleasant but amazing what you can get used to if you have little control over your circumstances. One thing I recall from back then is how many more stars can be seen at night without light pollution.

If we have another house, especially in the country, it will have a:
Wood stove
Vented, standing pilot, propane Williams Monterey wall heater
Vented, standing pilot propane water heater, perhaps demand type
Clothes line backed by vented (of course) propane clothes dryer.
Standing pilot Brown propane range w/ vented 24VDC range hood
24VDC fluorescent area lighting, and 24VDC LED task lighting.
24VDC ceiling paddle fans
24VDC battery bank
24VDC to 13.8VDC 30 amp converter (for radio gear, etc)
24VDC to 120VAC 2000W inverter (for small items)
Propane-powered Onan generator (for clothes washer & dryer) and
120VAC to 24VDC three-stage battery charger

Possibly a standing pilot, vent-kitted Dometic/Servel propane refrigerator

Wood stove and all gas appliances will have outside combustion air intake.

Possibly solar water pre-heat/storage tank (first) and then maybe enough
photovoltaic panels to run a bit of lighting and fans.

I know what you went through. I lived in southern Florida when hurricane Wilma hit. 8 days without power. one of the craziest things I saw was the town would put generators to keep the traffic lights working, and they'd get stolen in the middle of the night.

Originally Posted by Nolig23

I know what you went through. I lived in southern Florida when hurricane Wilma hit. 8 days without power. one of the craziest things I saw was the town would put generators to keep the traffic lights working, and they'd get stolen in the middle of the night.

That happened here...at railroad crossings and sewage lift pump stations.

nessmuck,

Glad to hear that things are beginning to return to normal in your part of NH and that you are safe.

Take care...