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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2017 19:17:50 GMT 10
Widespread power outages all day in parts of Perth and SW due to protection trips after rain this morning on dirty insulators. Not expecting power back until late tonight at earliest. Great, now I can try out some of my preps.
Lesson 1
Dont leave your Prep Plan A lighting source (gas lantern) in the garage when the only way in is via electric roller door with no means of manual opening😡🔫
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Post by SA Hunter on Jan 12, 2017 20:58:12 GMT 10
Hope the blackout isn't too long - we are on storm watch here in SA - could be interesting.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2017 11:37:07 GMT 10
Well the power came back on around 7PM before it got dark so I didnt need my gas light. This does however serve to prompt me to think not only about what preps I have but also where to store them where they can be accessed when needed.. I hadn't even considered the fact that I cannot get into my garage without power. There is a back door access to my garage but because this accesses my pool area this door had been rendered inoperable and requires use of power tools to revert back so it could be opened. And of course, where are the power tools stored  I realise now that lighting preps need to be easily accessible and close on hand. Its more likely to be dark next time. Time to move a few things around. |
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Chloe
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Post by Chloe on Jan 15, 2017 13:49:13 GMT 10
I feel ya there Jaffa. Had 2 blackouts last week due to the heat and as much as it is a pain in the butt, it sure makes you think.
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shinester
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Post by shinester on Jan 15, 2017 15:06:05 GMT 10
Widespread power outages all day in parts of Perth and SW due to protection trips after rain this morning on dirty insulators. Not expecting power back until late tonight at earliest. Great, now I can try out some of my preps. Lesson 1 Dont leave your Prep Plan A lighting source (gas lantern) in the garage when the only way in is via electric roller door with no means of manual opening😡🔫 Ha... good to see you caught that one I have an idea of a solution for ya on that, using an UPS [computer backup power]. Plug the UPS unit into the wall, the roller door socking into the UPS [might need an adapter depending on the unit] and that way if the power's out you could still run the roller door since it's on the backup batteries. You'd have to match unit capability with the motor [should have watts on the motor] and consider the motor will probably surge higher than ratedwhen starting. It wouldn't need much 'life' as you'd only run it for a minutes presumably to open the door. Second hand units go for $50+ looking for one with 'recently changed batteries' is a plus. Leave it plugged in, forget about it and replace the batteries every 5-10 years. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2017 20:58:48 GMT 10
Thanks for that Shinester. I thought about the UPS as I had one on my garage at a different place several years back. It was worth it just to see the looks on the neighbours faces when I could operate the door when the power was out in the entire street. I scored that UPS free from work but got rid of it when the batteries needed replacing. It's a good idea and I will have to give it some thought. May just come down to buy UPS or move light and buy more ammo . |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2017 20:49:06 GMT 10
I was just browsing the posts and noticed you all talking about using a computer UPS.... They generally have a sealed lead acid battery of about 12volts 12 Amp hours... You know you could remove the battery, extend the wires and hook up a bigger car or deep cycle battery which could provide power for a few small other things such a radio and lights. The UPS would work just fine with a bigger battery as long as you stayed within its wattage limit, and when the power comes back on it would recharge your bigger battery fine up to about 80 Amp hours.
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shinester
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Post by shinester on Feb 28, 2017 0:37:18 GMT 10
Geek. Indeed I have a few such systems, small ones used in their original role [computer backup power] that I can convert to other roles as you described and 2 large 10kwh battery banks with a 4000W UPS doing the duty up front. I'm such a fan because they're super cheap second hand. |
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Post by graynomad on Feb 28, 2017 13:05:18 GMT 10
My inverter will automatically swap to the batteries if the AC input fails, it's so fast there are no hickups on the line. We're off grid anyway but that feature works when, for example, I turn off the generator.
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