Todays weather

[Jim Oaks]

I have my Jackery 500 to keep my phone and laptop charged, a Kerosene heater, and 2-gallons of Kerosene. I worry more about my water lines freezing and breaking than anything. Worst case scenario, turn the water on low and let it run. I'll throw some hand warmers in my sleeping bag and crawl inside if I have to. I also have my camping lanterns and camp stove if I need it.

 

[Jim Oaks]

In 2021 4.5+ million homes lost power in north Texas. Natural gas facilities froze and couldn't supply gas to the plants that make electricity. Growing up, our local power plant was powered by good old American coal. I didn't even know natural gas-powered electric plants existed until I came to Texas.

 

[bobbywalter]

5 years ago, people in Texas were using the generators in Ford F-150's to power their homes after the storm.

that is why i have a powerboost.

it is incredible. runs about a week on a tank running some lights...the kitchen and the furnace.... it only runs to charge the battery bank. and you cant hear it run, or stop, or start... pure awesomeness...

wish i had it out here in west texas right now. not looking forward to this bullshit....the lines for propane yesterday and worse today are telling.

dont even think about going to the walmarts and places like that.

horrible freights ran out of heaters....i might have to rob one out of one of the doghouses to keep the man-camp warm..

back home, i am building the house unit with a tri/fuel and 4 giant lifepo units and a 5k charge controller system that will allow pv as purchased if that seems prudent. after how well the powerboost did i am sold...

my bigger inverter is in ohio...so i wont be able to run this tri split mini at the camp....its 240. i got away with running a similar system on two inverters before. had a 2500 and a 3k and it did better than i hoped for. ran it unbonded and was pretty slick.

with only one battery in this truck thats a no go. last time we were running 2 trucks with dual batts and alternators...this fuggin GM thing i have now wont even jump start a vehicle. so i dont trust it for crafty shenanigans....

hopefully we dont get shit save for some snow and 5 degree weather and the power stays on.

 

[sgtsandman]

Gas companies generate their own electricity from the gas.
Widow friend of my wife has a Generac on her house, her husband put it in before he died.
I'd like one but I can't afford it right now.
I have a small portable generator in my yard barn but it's getting old and a pain in the ass to start. I keep a can of ether out there.
Been wondering to hard wire it to my boiler to get it running for heat. I'll figure it out. I've used it in the past to run the TV or fridge but never for days on end.

I find that running the generators at least 20 minutes every three months helps greatly with getting them started with not too much effort. It is better if you can run them with a load, like some halogen work lights. I also shut the fuel valve off to starve the fuel system of fuel. With me running them at least every three months, the fuel shut is probably not needed but it doesn't take all that much extra time to open the valve and give the fuel system time to prime. I just put them out and open the valves, then get the work lights out of the garage and set them up. By the time that is all done, they are usually ready to start.