Self Sufficiency

[nnuut]

I like that nnuutsbutts thing!! Yes you can use that smoked Pig Butt meat to make a bunch of things. I like it in Brunswick Stew. I posted my recipe in the Smokin' BBQ Thread, it's post #19.
http://www.tsptalk.com/mb/the-lounge/6124-smokin-bbq-thread-post178084.html#post178084

 

[coolhand]

Okay folks, I've been looking for a high quality emergency power generator for some weeks now. There are a few that I like. The link below is one of them. I ordered this kit on ebay, but I got a refurbished one with 8 solar panels, 8 LED lights hanging lights, 2 tripods and 4 carrying cases for the panels. I got it all at a 35% discount off of retail value.

Does anyone else have any experience with these units? I didn't want a gas generator as it's too noisy and fumes can be an issue. Plus, gas may not be readily available depending on the severity of the emergency.

Goal Zero Yeti 1250 Solar Generator Kit | Complete Solar Kits | Goal Zero

 

[Boghie]

Okay folks, I've been looking for a high quality emergency power generator for some weeks now. There are a few that I like. The link below is one of them. I ordered this kit on ebay, but I got a refurbished one with 8 solar panels, 8 LED lights hanging lights, 2 tripods and 4 carrying cases for the panels. I got it all at a 35% discount off of retail value.

Does anyone else have any experience with these units? I didn't want a gas generator as it's too noisy and fumes can be an issue. Plus, gas may not be readily available depending on the severity of the emergency.

Goal Zero Yeti 1250 Solar Generator Kit | Complete Solar Kits | Goal Zero

I wonder if one of the 400W/hr SunPower panels can be attached? The ones Goal Zero is talking about are 30W/hr. With a higher powered panel you could run live during the day and still store power for the evening. The SunPower panels are about 3x5 if I remember (their site is now basically non-informational - yowser).

 

[alevin]

I've been looking at various solar-powered gens for awhile, sporadically. Piggy bank still has other priorities, but this one is coming up on the list slowly but surely. hope I don't need one before it gets to top of the list.

 

[coolhand]

I wonder if one of the 400W/hr SunPower panels can be attached? The ones Goal Zero is talking about are 30W/hr. With a higher powered panel you could run live during the day and still store power for the evening. The SunPower panels are about 3x5 if I remember (their site is now basically non-informational - yowser).

Hi Boghie. Goal Zero has higher wattage panels. The one that I bought was a kit that comes with 8 of the 30 watt panels for a total charging capacity of 240W. By the end of this year I may buy one more 1250 battery. That would allow me to have one in service while the other is recharging, but I may end up buying higher wattage panels for faster charge times too. It's not cheap, but most of the reviews I have watch have really liked the Goal Zero 1250. One thing that I found out about Goal Zero is that they are the preferred portable power company of the teams that climb Mount Everest. Considering that climbing Mount Everest is a life or death sport, it's a big thumbs up for how they feel about this product.

 

[k0nkuzh0n]

Depending on where you live, I'd consider wind power. Significantly more compact than solar power. Or maybe a combination of both. Ideally you'd have a river on your land... then you really would have it made with a water wheel.

 

[coolhand]

Depending on where you live, I'd consider wind power. Significantly more compact than solar power. Or maybe a combination of both. Ideally you'd have a river on your land... then you really would have it made with a water wheel.

It does depend on where you live as far as what your options may be. I live in a gated community on about a 1/4 acre lot. If I could roll back about 13 years, I would have chosen a different location to live. I don't think many of us could see that far into the future. Things have changed dramatically.

 

[burrocrat]

for normal life i would recommend a miller bobcat welder/generator for its multiple use capabilities, i have used them all day long in industrial heavy demand situations in the worst environments, but i think you guys are right about the solar ones, much less 'noise' pollution could be a valuable thing. when the zombie apocalypse happens and i need power, i am just going to find the nearest rich person with one of those gas powered generators humming outside their garage and take it from them, plus whatever other goodies they might have.

 

[alevin]

I looked into backyard windpower possibilities a number of years ago. won't fly. I'm in a marginal zone, per wind energy potential, most likely due to intermittency on an annual basis. We get some awesome storms come through with sustained speeds 40-70mph, sometimes up to 3 days non-stop, but they are not the norm, and moderate breezes are not the average either. Like CH said, who could foresee even thinking about that?

I was more concerned about determining 100-yr floodplain in relation to property boundary, neighbors' zombie potential, neighborhood dog hazards, traffic patterns, visual elbow room in at least 1-2 directions, things like that, when I bought my current place. neighbor zombie potential is a mixed bag in my neighborhood, including right next door depending on which directions I'm looking, more potential than I realized at time of purchase.

 

[coolhand]

for normal life i would recommend a miller bobcat welder/generator for its multiple use capabilities, i have used them all day long in industrial heavy demand situations in the worst environments, but i think you guys are right about the solar ones, much less 'noise' pollution could be a valuable thing. when the zombie apocalypse happens and i need power, i am just going to find the nearest rich person with one of those gas powered generators humming outside their garage and take it from them, plus whatever other goodies they might have.

You hit on particularly important point. Noise. It's a big deal in catastrophic situations. That why I chose a high powered pellet gun for small game hunting. It isn't quite as noisy and pellets are cheap and plentiful. I favor the RWS Diana Model 54.

 

[coolhand]

I looked into backyard windpower possibilities a number of years ago. won't fly. I'm in a marginal zone, per wind energy potential, most likely due to intermittency on an annual basis. We get some awesome storms come through with sustained speeds 40-70mph, sometimes up to 3 days non-stop, but they are not the norm, and moderate breezes are not the average either. Like CH said, who could foresee even thinking about that?

I was more concerned about determining 100-yr floodplain in relation to property boundary, neighbors' zombie potential, neighborhood dog hazards, traffic patterns, visual elbow room in at least 1-2 directions, things like that, when I bought my current place. neighbor zombie potential is a mixed bag in my neighborhood, including right next door depending on which directions I'm looking, more potential than I realized at time of purchase.

I just finished reading Bill Bonner's best seller "Hormegeddon". It gave the term "zombies" a whole new meaning for me. I also subscribe to his service (Bill Bonner Letter).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaHNS8q1IVg

 

[alevin]

Fortunately for me (maybe), a larger other component of my near-neighborhood is comprised of people who believe in multi-month self-sufficiency, at least in terms of food storage, and have skills in terms of plumbing and electrical and food growing, in case I had anything to trade that they'd be interested in. Also access to flowing water, if they would allow foot transit through their property during daylight hours. Living in their vicinity has encouraged me thinking and acting on self-sufficiency to-do list. And I have and maintain cordial relations or at least non-adversarial relations with those neighbors. Reading periodic Bonner epistles and similar have also guided my thoughts on disaster-preparedness of various sorts.

 

[nnuut]

I always wanted a ROOT CELLAR!

 

[burrocrat]

in case I had anything to trade that they'd be interested in.

no offense ma'am and not suggesting anything about your character, but you gals got one more commodity to trade than the fellas do...

when folks get hungry they will do crazy things to secure safety and food.

 

[burrocrat]

I just finished reading Bill Bonner's best seller "Hormegeddon". It gave the term "zombies" a whole new meaning for me. I also subscribe to his service (Bill Bonner Letter).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaHNS8q1IVg

he says some truths at the end of that video there for sure... price discovery, a thing is worth only what somebody will pay for it on the market today. and, the more you control the world, the less well the world works.

i think he is right that eventually there will be a massive reset of values. this is going to be very difficult for many to adjust to, that 'i paid in i worked hard i deserve comfort' crowd will have a hard time adjusting to sleeping in the dirt and eating roots and berries. but when folks are getting hacked apart and roasted on a spit or sold into slavery, dirt and roots and berries is a relative comfort.

it may not hurt to practice this technique from time to time so that it comes as less of a shock.

 

[alevin]

You and me both, nnuut. Just would need to be a little less observable that I have one, than where I live now. longrange plans for relocation will likely factor in that desire as part of criteria for selection of property, soils and depth to bedrock/groundwater. I factor in soil suitabilities for various purposes as part of my considerations for any retirement property.

Current home crawlspace is truly only crawlable; last home I had, I could almost walk upright in the crawlspace-water table issue here, or used to be anyway, before ag neighbors drilled deeper wells closer to the river and drew down individual homeowner wells that had been used for yard water. I use the former pumphouse on my place as my tool shed.

 

[userque]

Why are CIA, DHS, NSA, FBI and FEMA retirees all bugging out in preparation for something big? - NaturalNews.com

"Former newspaper journalist and bestselling conspiracy author Jim Marrs told radio talk show host Dave Hodges in December that some 400-500 top bank executives had left their positions and had gone into seclusion. ..."

 

[WorkFE]

I have a solar system for my RV, 1500W GoPower system. Mostly use it to keep my batteries charged in remote camp sites but I can run appliances if necessary.
At home I have select lights (LED) on battery back up, much like you use for computers, for initial power outage. They are good for emergencies (Not Disasters) and last a fairly long time. Additionally the house is wired to a 15KW GENERAC LP. Pretty quiet but expensive. They recommend larger but that is some serious coin.

 

[coolhand]

I have a friend at work who I talk to regularly about self sufficiency. For me, self sufficiency is almost synonymous with "prepping". In my many discussions with him, he mentioned a term that I'd heard before, but only understood on a superficial level. It's call a "normalcy bias". I've been researching it and found a blog at the link below that I think really captures a great explanation of this psychological condition as well as steps to follow to avoid this trap. It's very detailed. Check it out!

Beware Your Dangerous Normalcy Bias | Gerold's Blog

 

[WorkFE]

3) Another solution is ‘Situational Awareness’. Start by paying more attention to your environment and those around you. You don’t have to go on a survival camping trip to put this into practice.

Good article. One of my primary duties is community outreach. The biggest message I preach is situational awareness. Don't wait for me to tell you there is a tornado on the ground. Being aware of what's going on, that's your responsibility.

Thanks Coolhand.