Winter storm & power outages, oh my!

[smokingman]

That's true. Honestly, the power outage we had back at the end of June (which prompted my generator purchase) was the longest outage we've ever had. Normally it's a matter of an hour or less, but that one would have resulted in food loss if I hadn't kept the refrigerators going. I still don't have a transfer switch, so it meant running extension cords, but we got by.

I just put my deep cycle battery on the charger. That's been my go-to (with an inverter) for minor power outages. I can run the tv/internet/phone and one light with that at least.

My solar set up(just 2 100 watt panels connected to a couple of 31 batteries...batteries also act as backups for my diesel truck) is simply to run an inverter for the router, charge headlamps, phones, and a laptop. Generator for everything else(2 generators actually).

Honestly I need to get a 12V USB station, as almost everything I charge and use with that setup could still be used without the inverter and its fan wasting as much. Now that I thought of it....just ordered.
Amazon product ASIN B0BM3S5463

 

[SnoopLoggyDog]

My solar set up(just 2 100 watt panels connected to a couple of 31 batteries...batteries also act as backups for my diesel truck) is simply to run an inverter for the router, charge headlamps, phones, and a laptop. Generator for everything else(2 generators actually).

Honestly I need to get a 12V USB station, as almost everything I charge and use with that setup could still be used without the inverter and its fan wasting as much. Now that I thought of it....just ordered.
Amazon product ASIN B0BM3S5463

I have a 200 watt Renogy solar set-up on my cabin in Alaska. Plan on installing the same system on my house here in Indiana. It would be enough to run some led lights and charge phones. I would also use it to power my amateur radios.

 

[BluePig]

We had French Toast and sausage for dinner tonight. The snowblower is on the tractor. All set for snow apocalypse.

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

I don't know if INGO has made me more prepared or more paranoid. Here, they're calling for 1.5" of rain, and maybe an inch or two of snow. 50-60 mph wind gusts are somewhat of a concern, but I never would've worried about them before.

Ignorance IS bliss.

 

[greg]

 

[Cavman]

Blah south eastern indiana misses out on the good snow once again. Trying to convince my wife we need to move north.

 

[rem788]

I spent the last two days on the phone with my propane supplier. They skipped the December delivery, tank is low and when I requested expedited delivery they wanted to charge me extra. When I go on line and look at my account there is a message that there is a problem with December and January deliveries. I call and no one can tell me what the problem is! Time top switch propane suppliers.

 

[d.kaufman]

Several inches up here already this morning and coming down at probably an inch per hour rate if I had to guess

 

[DoggyDaddy]

We're getting a break from the rain right now in Indy.



More on the way though.

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

So far so good at the house but the wind is already causing problems on our little COOP’s grid.

 

[Super Bee]

Spent yesterday going over the new to me plow truck, checked it out and ready to go. Never used one before, so will just take it nice and easy.

 

[ghuns]

Made sure the batteries in the tractor with snow blower and 4 wheeler with plow were charged. Topped them off with gas, as well as the gennie. Filled up three, 6 gallon gas cans with ethanol free, plus my car. It was cheaper than premium. Just need to change oil in gennie tonight and I'll be set.

Down here in southern St Joe Co, I expect a replay of Christmas 2022. We only had a few inches of snow, but a couple straight days of high wind made our north/south road almost impassible. But NIPSCO managed to keep the lights on. I hope they do it again.

 

[ghuns]

Great way to see what the actual weather is like in real time...

INDOT Traffic Cams

 

[SnoopLoggyDog]

Wee bit of snow this morning. Wind is picking up and the lights have flickered a few times.

 

[Ark]

Charging my power bank at work, and I picked up an indoor safe propane heater if I get stuck during the cold without power for a while.

Plan A is still "drive to brewery with power and wait for all this to blow over".

 

[rhamersley]

I spent the last two days on the phone with my propane supplier. They skipped the December delivery, tank is low and when I requested expedited delivery they wanted to charge me extra. When I go on line and look at my account there is a message that there is a problem with December and January deliveries. I call and no one can tell me what the problem is! Time top switch propane suppliers.

Give Indy Propane a call. I changed to them a year and a half ago and they have real time monitoring of my tank and fill it between 20-25%. Even have a budget plan but you have to wait until summer to sign up. You can tell them Ron Hamersley referred you...maybe I'll get a kickback!

 

[SnoopLoggyDog]

Charging my power bank at work, and I picked up an indoor safe propane heater if I get stuck during the cold without power for a while.

Plan A is still "drive to brewery with power and wait for all this to blow over".

Sounds like an excellent plan!

 

[greg]

 

[d.kaufman]

Lots of incidents already around here. Jack knifed semis, school bus in a ditch and this one that thought the local animal clinic was a drive thru

 

[ghuns]

Currently looks like we were shaken in a snow globe on the north side of Elkhart.