How long can you (and your family) survive if the grid went down for an extended period?

[JRH]

Then I walk to the storage room, pull out a spare, and install it.
At least that is the plan.
I will admit I bought a 'spare' inverter, but once I had it sitting in the storage room, yeah, I installed it, put this to work.
Other than the inverter, I have lots of spare parts.
I do have an entire 24v portable system and a smaller super portable 12v system as well as my main 48v main system. I have some options if the SHTF.

I have at least one or more duplicates for every piece I own that is not repairable …as when going offshore in boats one should look around and decide what can fail and totally shut you down…what can you rig to get home ? , and what can you NOT rig…? Who is there to help…? How far away is help …? What is your skill level with the gear…? The list goes on…
Yes I bought a spare multi and mounted it. I don’t use it but it’s ready to go in about 20 min…..got 2 SCC spares sitting ready t9 be wired up and a ton of different spare parts fuses ,breakers , wire and tools ..in a component system only a few things can go out that can’t be gotten around with a few parts…

YES, admittedly, if a bolt of lightning take a direct hit …..or a plane crashes on the solar array I’m just screwed… if some one stole all the battery’s that wouldn’t be good…(I intend to thwart their efforts) ) but then that’s where the propane/gas gennys come into play…
But , no matter what you have as spares there is always somthing that can get ya…
sometimes it just ain’t yer day..
J.

 

[Solarcabin Channel]

Around the time of the Cuban missile crisis, neighbors had underground survival shelters built.

Cuban Missile Crisis - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Florida being a giant tropical swamp, the decades turned these underground shelters into science experiments, mold, mildew, things w/ tentacles.......

Not sure how they were powered, I was a kid back then, did not think to ask, just seemed to be fun places to explore.

So many home insurers have pulled out of Florida and CA that people can't get insurance.

 

[OffGridForGood]

I have at least one or more duplicates for every piece I own that is not repairable …as when going offshore in boats one should look around and decide what can fail and totally shut you down…what can you rig to get home ? , and what can you NOT rig…? Who is there to help…? How far away is help …? What is your skill level with the gear…? The list goes on…
Yes I bought a spare multi and mounted it. I don’t use it but it’s ready to go in about 20 min…..got 2 SCC spares sitting ready t9 be wired up and a ton of different spare parts fuses ,breakers , wire and tools ..in a component system only a few things can go out that can’t be gotten around with a few parts…

YES, admittedly, if a bolt of lightning take a direct hit …..or a plane crashes on the solar array I’m just screwed… if some one stole all the battery’s that wouldn’t be good…(I intend to thwart their efforts) ) but then that’s where the propane/gas gennys come into play…
But , no matter what you have as spares there is always somthing that can get ya…
sometimes it just ain’t yer day..
J.

My back up to the main solar system is my 24v moble cart system - has only one 24v 304Ah pack it can run critical items one at a time.
The Main ESS has 64 usable cells - and I have a few 16S and 8S BMS's spare in boxes on the shelf. If a really bad day happens to the main system, I can reconfigure some cells from the 48v packs to use as 24v packs - if needs be.
Every fuse or breaker - I have spares on a shelf ready.
PV panels - no spares, all that I own are installed somewhere.
two back up generators, one is dedicated to the On-Site-Power-Plant; and another is available if I need it.
I even have a spare for the well pump on a shelf, not that this would be a fun job in January or something but I am not stuck if my well pump goes down.
No spare for me though, I better take good care of myself if we have an event.

 

[Solarcabin Channel]

My back up to the main solar system is my 24v moble cart system - has only one 24v 304Ah pack it can run critical items one at a time.
The Main ESS has 64 usable cells - and I have a few 16S and 8S BMS's spare in boxes on the shelf. If a really bad day happens to the main system, I can reconfigure some cells from the 48v packs to use as 24v packs - if needs be.
Every fuse or breaker - I have spares on a shelf ready.
PV panels - no spares, all that I own are installed somewhere.
two back up generators, one is dedicated to the On-Site-Power-Plant; and another is available if I need it.
I even have a spare for the well pump on a shelf, not that this would be a fun job in January or something but I am not stuck if my well pump goes down.
No spare for me though, I better take good care of myself if we have an event.

Good point! I have been hurt seriously a few times at the cabin. Up on a ladder putting the last of my trim on and it went out from under me. Tore out my knee for the third time. No one around and had to scoot my ass to the truck and drive myself to the emergency room.

At 60 now I don't get on roofs, climb trees and I am very careful on ice!

That is why having reliable communications is so important especially for off gridders.

 

[JRH]

My back up to the main solar system is my 24v moble cart system - has only one 24v 304Ah pack it can run critical items one at a time.
The Main ESS has 64 usable cells - and I have a few 16S and 8S BMS's spare in boxes on the shelf. If a really bad day happens to the main system, I can reconfigure some cells from the 48v packs to use as 24v packs - if needs be.
Every fuse or breaker - I have spares on a shelf ready.
PV panels - no spares, all that I own are installed somewhere.
two back up generators, one is dedicated to the On-Site-Power-Plant; and another is available if I need it.
I even have a spare for the well pump on a shelf, not that this would be a fun job in January or something but I am not stuck if my well pump goes down.
No spare for me though, I better take good care of myself if we have an event.

Good for you.. good plan.. the biggest thing that confuses me is almost no one will do 5% of that type prep .. oh they think its cool ya did it …that really clever man…or they may think your actually a kook or a modern day Noah… they are being polite…
but almost no one I know will give 50 cents worth of effort to do what it takes…and when they find out the amount of study ,learning , effort ,work and MONEY it takes to build a reliable powerful system, ….haaaa forget it…
Perhaps they are correct… my kind may well be kooks…that’s fine…I have been called much worse and justifiably ….most humans are funny critters when it comes to being prepared..

I will just be a kook with power….and other stuff if somthing happens.
?…J

 

[OffGridForGood]

I guess I am a kook too,
one that built my own batteries - so I know how to build more/reconfigure into 12 or 24v and have the BMS, wire, tools and know-how to do it.
I wish I had built my own inverters - electronics does not come easily to me really, more of a hands on if I can see it I can understand it type of guy. If I live long enough I hope to continue to research, learn, experiment, and build 'stuff'. It may be a good idea to get a spare board for the internal parts of my main 6048's - I had to swap out a comms board after a 'mishap' (my fault) and seeing the instructions manual and how the internal parts are modules that just bolt in and connect with a few wires was rather interesting. That replacement comms board was literally $5.00 - and $30 to ship it.
I wonder what the other replacement boards would cost to have a spare of each one for my shelf.

Back to your comment: I know a lot of people that are 'specialists', they know exactly how to do one very specific type of thing, and know nearly nothing - and like you say have nearly zero interest in trying to know - about anything else.
Go to a guys' home for a visit, while I am there he is wondering what it will cost to get a plumber to come on a Sunday evening to fix a dripping valve under his kitchen sink...1/4 turn on the packing nut and the drip stopped. He looks at me and says "I should have known you would be able to fix it" I mean really, is this what people have come to nowadays? I try to know and learn all I can. And never feel stuck.

 

[Solarcabin Channel]

I guess I am a kook too,
one that built my own batteries - so I know how to build more/reconfigure into 12 or 24v and have the BMS, wire, tools and know-how to do it.
I wish I had built my own inverters - electronics does not come easily to me really, more of a hands on if I can see it I can understand it type of guy. If I live long enough I hope to continue to research, learn, experiment, and build 'stuff'. It may be a good idea to get a spare board for the internal parts of my main 6048's - I had to swap out a comms board after a 'mishap' (my fault) and seeing the instructions manual and how the internal parts are modules that just bolt in and connect with a few wires was rather interesting. That replacement comms board was literally $5.00 - and $30 to ship it.
I wonder what the other replacement boards would cost to have a spare of each one for my shelf.

Back to your comment: I know a lot of people that are 'specialists', they know exactly how to do one very specific type of thing, and know nearly nothing - and like you say have nearly zero interest in trying to know - about anything else.
Go to a guys' home for a visit, while I am there he is wondering what it will cost to get a plumber to come on a Sunday evening to fix a dripping valve under his kitchen sink...1/4 turn on the packing nut and the drip stopped. He looks at me and says "I should have known you would be able to fix it" I mean really, is this what people have come to nowadays? I try to know and learn all I can. And never feel stuck.

I was lucky growing up my dad was a jack of all trades and good shade tree mechanic. He taught us how to fix things instead of buying new or paying for repairs. I remodeled my first cabin when I was 15.

Schools in the US used to have shop class for learning those skills but I don't think many do now?

Added: My folks were born during the depression in the 20's and lived through some rough times. Dad worked for the CCC's and served in WW2 while mom raised 9 kids. So we learned to make do.

 

[45North]

Depends on the season. If winter we couldn't heat the house so would have to impose on friends, neighbours or family. (Frozen pipes!!)
Other 3 seasons we'd go into "camping" mode - BBQ, propane, etc.

 

[Solarcabin Channel]

Depends on the season. If winter we couldn't heat the house so would have to impose on friends, neighbours or family. (Frozen pipes!!)
Other 3 seasons we'd go into "camping" mode - BBQ, propane, etc.

A propane heater like the Big Buddy and a 30# tank will keep a large room heated for a week. Electric blankets use about 60 watts and run off a small solar power system. It would get you by in case you can't get to a safe place.

 

[Crowz]

A propane heater like the Big Buddy and a 30# tank will keep a large room heated for a week. Electric blankets use about 60 watts and run off a small solar power system. It would get you by in case you can't get to a safe place.

The new craze of diesel heaters have pretty much made the big buddy heaters obsolete for home heating. 100% safer too.

I'd definitely have one of those in a tiny home like you did vs the buddy heaters. I used the buddy heaters back in the day but wasn't a fan of the fumes or the cost of propane.

 

[Solarcabin Channel]

The new craze of diesel heaters have pretty much made the big buddy heaters obsolete for home heating. 100% safer too.

I'd definitely have one of those in a tiny home like you did vs the buddy heaters. I used the buddy heaters back in the day but wasn't a fan of the fumes or the cost of propane.

Fumes? You should not have fumes from a propane heater but when the tank runs out you can smell the mercaptan that is telling you the tank is empty.

I don't trust liquid fuel heaters and if they get tipped you can have a massive fire instantly and I have big clumsy dogs.

 

[OffGridForGood]

The new craze of diesel heaters have pretty much made the big buddy heaters obsolete for home heating. 100% safer too.

I'd definitely have one of those in a tiny home like you did vs the buddy heaters. I used the buddy heaters back in the day but wasn't a fan of the fumes or the cost of propane.

I have a one of those 8k diesel heaters in the shop - just in case all heck breaks loose - gotta keep my ESS above freezing ya know!

edit - bolted mine in place - can't tip over, safer I figure.

 

[Crowz]

Fumes? You should not have fumes from a propane heater but when the tank runs out you can smell the mercaptan that is telling you the tank is empty.

I don't trust liquid fuel heaters and if they get tipped you can have a massive fire instantly and I have big clumsy dogs.

You don't tips these. You mount them to the wall. Watch the youtube vids on it. I think your about to find a new heat setup

$99 or so and then just add diesel. Runs LONG time with great heat output. Way cheaper than propane for tiny home setup and even has a thermostat like a central air system so set the temp you want and forget about it till time to add some diesel. You could put a very large diesel tank out back and go for a month between fill ups if you want.

 

[Crowz]

I have a one of those 8k diesel heaters in the shop - just in case all heck breaks loose - gotta keep my ESS above freezing ya know!

edit - bolted my in place - can't tip over, safer I figure.

That's what I plan on using in my 2 car garage eventually which may end up being this year if I get the time to fool with it. I want the carpenter guy that built the thing to put in a wood heater stove thru the wall vent thing so it will be 100% safe and I'll do the rest. Carpentry is not my strong point and I don't mess around with fire risks

 

[Solarcabin Channel]

You don't tips these. You mount them to the wall. Watch the youtube vids on it. I think your about to find a new heat setup

$99 or so and then just add diesel. Runs LONG time with great heat output. Way cheaper than propane for tiny home setup and even has a thermostat like a central air system so set the temp you want and forget about it till time to add some diesel. You could put a very large diesel tank out back and go for a month between fill ups if you want.

"The diesel heater features an oil pump that precisely controls the fuel inlet for 100% combustion. The efficient air heater takes around one gallon for one night to keep cozy during cold weather."

Diesel is expensive at over $4 a gallon but propane is only $2.50 a gallon for same 1 day of use.

Diesel also doesn't store well for long periods and will jell in cold climate where I live.

Propane can be stored indefinitely and tanks and delivery are free in many rural areas.

 

[Crowz]

"The diesel heater features an oil pump that precisely controls the fuel inlet for 100% combustion. The efficient air heater takes around one gallon for one night to keep cozy during cold weather."

Diesel is expensive at over $4 a gallon but propane is only $2.50 a gallon for same 1 day of use.

Your not looking at it right in my opinion.

If your home is fairly insulated then its not going run hardly any. The mr buddy is a turned it on and forget so your not going to extend that fuel usage at all. The diesel setup should come on, heat up and turn off. It cost nothing during the off part.

That 1 gallon a night is for a non insulated garage which has more sqft area than you are heating I would imagine.

 

[Solarcabin Channel]

Your not looking at it right in my opinion.

If your home is fairly insulated then its not going run hardly any. The mr buddy is a turned it on and forget so your not going to extend that fuel usage at all. The diesel setup should come on, heat up and turn off. It cost nothing during the off part.

That 1 gallon a night is for a non insulated garage which has more sqft area than you are heating I would imagine.

My Dynaglo propane furnace has a thermostat.

I only recommended a buddy heater for an emergency situation and some of those smaller portable units do have thermostats.

 

[Crowz]

My Dynaglo propane furnace has a thermostat.

I only recommended a buddy heater for an emergency situation and some of those smaller portable units do have thermostats.

Ive got Dyna-Glo natural gas heaters for emergency and normal use if its REAL cold outside in the house now.

We used the mr buddy heaters at the old house when we first bought the place since getting the propane people to deliver out there was a nightmare. None of mine back then had thermostats but that may be a new thing they have now. They were not efficient for us.

 

[OffGridForGood]

Have both.

 

[JRH]

Fumes? You should not have fumes from a propane heater but when the tank runs out you can smell the mercaptan that is telling you the tank is empty.

I don't trust liquid fuel heaters and if they get tipped you can have a massive fire instantly and I have big clumsy dogs.

There is always fumes if there is combustion..…any kind and always …propane just produces a lot less…but it’s there….. I still use mr buddies to warm my shed now and then but I’m not inside along time.

I don’t use gas in generators at all ….propane gen sets produce about 10% less power but a huge amount less CO…and stink less … but they will still kill ya if your not careful..it’s easy to screw up with somthing you can’t see, smell or taste.

. these big box 29.00 CO alarms will not even go off to alert untill about 50ppm and you may be well on your way to being poisoned if asleep all night At that rate depending on 6our health…The whole topic is much more complex than the public is warned about…or should be gone into here…( different thread topic for sure ) but research how and why CO gets you…and WHY it kills you..it’s not what most think…..…it based on time AND ppm of exposure …not just one thing…PLUS it’s effect depends on your age ,health and lungs and heart… ….a lot must be considered when deciding what is a safe level for you…..a good unit (100 to 200 bucks) will start the alarm at 5 to 10ppm…( mine is a 5 ppm medical grade unit) mounted right near my head when in bed…it depends on what you order and why,....

I want all the fuel outside and all the fumes vented outside No exceptions…
The fact it will kill your dog long before it gets to you is another reason to know the facts..

im no doctor …..do your own research.. im just hitting the high points of this stuff.