This weeks preps check-in

Brent, I am going with AGM solar batteries at this time. I expect them to last 2 -3 years hoping that during that time more efficient (and affordable) batteries will be developed. Heck, during that time I may find that the whole system takes too much maintenance and drop the whole thing. But, I suspect (or hope), I will be expanding the system in the future.

There are a myriad of different lithium technologies now, and some of the new lithium batteries use hybrid technology to take advantage of different types.

The Lithium battery types are:

Lithium Cobalt Oxide(LiCoO2) — LCO
This is what is in your cell phone. It has the highest energy density, which makes it good for small batteries, but it has a short life span, low thermal stability and limited load capabilities (which is not a problem for cell phones but would be a huge problem for powering a high current inverter)

Lithium Manganese Oxide (LiMn2O4) — LMO
Used for power tools and some electric and hybrid cars. It has higher current capacity than LCO, but shorter life and lower energy density.

Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) — NMC
New hybrid technology used for power tools, e-bikes, and medical equipment. Excellent life (duty cycle in the 1000s), high current, and although safer than LCO, it is susceptible to thermal runaway. Not readily available for consumers yet.

Lithium Iron Phosphate(LiFePO4) — LFP
Used in some powersports and automotive batteries. It has a long life if not abused (duty cycle in the 1000s), high current, flat voltage discharge and is very safe and relatively inexpensive compared to other lithium technologies, but has low energy density and high self discharge. It is sensitive to cold temperatures.

Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide (LiNiCoAlO2) — NCA
Used by Panasonic and Tesla. Has high energy density and longer life than NCO, but the same safety issues as NCO (e.g. self destructing Teslas).

Lithium Titanate (Li2TiO3) — LTO
LTO technology has actually been around since the 1980s. Used in solar powered street lights and other applications that require long life. Has extremely long life, but extremely high price to go with it. Can charge very quickly, has high load capacity, excellent cold weather performance and is extremely safe, but has a low energy density and as mentioned above is very expensive.

JackDW said:

Brent, I am going with AGM solar batteries at this time. I expect them to last 2 -3 years hoping that during that time more efficient (and affordable) batteries will be developed. Heck, during that time I may find that the whole system takes too much maintenance and drop the whole thing. But, I suspect (or hope), I will be expanding the system in the future.

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I used two AGM batteries for my camper that has a solar charger too. Kind of regret not getting lithium for it due to both weight and longevity but did what I felt comfortable affording at the time. So far, a year in, I’m still pleased they are working fine.

Ordered some Pro-Shot one piece bore cleaning rods to replace my 35 year old Dewey rods, 26" .22 (204), 36" .22 (204), 30" 12ga and a Dewey 5.56 chamber cleaning rod kit.

some medical stuff ordered,some gun grip tape...

I need to order some more ammo for my air rifle, I've managed to use over 1000 pellets in two weeks at the range, Currently using .22 cal JSB Hades 15.89 grain frangible pellets.

Also I'm currently totally overhauling my GHB and contents.

Every day for me is spent plowing snow, shoveling snow, blowing snow and digging out the cattle. Oh, and keeping the wood stove stoked.

Arcticdude said:

Every day for me is spent plowing snow, shoveling snow, blowing snow and digging out the cattle. Oh, and keeping the wood stove stoked.

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I’ve got a good fire going right now. Thankfully I’m not having to shovel any snow though...

Brent S said:

I’ve got a good fire going right now. Thankfully I’m not having to shovel any snow though...

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No fire, no heat on here. Just a well insulated house I guess. Actually our HVAC unit is not functional right now as it is being replaced..


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Doreena said:

No fire, no heat on here. Just a well insulated house I guess. Actually our HVAC unit is not functional right now as it is being replaced..


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I used 2x6’s for the walls here and did extra insulation in the attic and crawl space too. Now I can light a good fire and it stays nice in the house all night long. I’m a southerner and like it warm!

Brent S said:

I used 2x6’s for the walls here and did extra insulation in the attic and crawl space too. Now I can light a good fire and it stays nice in the house all night long. I’m a southerner and like it warm!

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My house is all 2×6 construction too, with a 200 pound snow load roof. I had extra insulation blown in the attic, and extra insulation in the walls and between the floor joists. We've had the wood stove burning 24/7 since early October. It'll keep the house at 67-68 degrees, a little warmer upstairs and our bedroom stays around 58 degrees. Just right for sleeping. I keep the thermostat set at 61degrees just in case the fire burns down while we're away. The furnace has only come on twice so far.

Winter garden grows so slow but it is growing . The little cabbage heads are taking shape .

We got a new promaster work van so I had to clear my shop table and made a shelf system for both sides of the van. I’m making these modular so I can remove them down the road for reuse. I built a raised floor for conduit and pipe to be stored underneath and have the shelf units in the van now but still need to trim it (just for looks) and fasten it securely. I was tempted to just buy the metal shelving systems but at 4500. I was good with taking a couple days to build my own. So, the prepping part of this is my shop was a disaster. The table saw and work table had piles of stuff all over it. Now it’s cleared I can go back to building some things for the house again. I’m motivated!
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The loadout of my GHB for spring 2020 FOR NOW

I put together 2 metal shelving units for the my climate controlled storage building. I will put sealed storage bins on them filled with long term foods, gas masks and chemical suits and some extra bathroom and personal hygiene supplies.

I also made some RG-8X cables of various lengths for my 2 Ham radios.

I decided to bite the bullet and buy a new UTV (side by side). I'm buying it with a delux cab, heater/AC, tracks and a snow blower. I need to be able to get off the property at any time in case of an emergency. Plus with the tracks I'll be able to use it on the trap line and cut back on my snow shoeing.

I stocked up on another 3 pack of lysol wipes. Hand sanitizer and lysol spray from Sam's club. Another 50lb bag of rice and 8 Z-packs from my physician.

Rellgar said:

I stocked up on another 3 pack of lysol wipes. Hand sanitizer and lysol spray from Sam's club. Another 50lb bag of rice and 8 Z-packs from my physician.

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Always good things to have on hand. But how did you get 8 Z-packs?

I have 8 people living in my house. My doctor has a brain and writes scripts for my entire household when I ask. I always keep enough meds for each person in case of emergencies. Z-packs cover all kinds of infections. They dont cost me that much.

Rellgar said:

I have 8 people living in my house. My doctor has a brain and writes scripts for my entire household when I ask. I always keep enough meds for each person in case of emergencies. Z-packs cover all kinds of infections. They dont cost me that much.

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I tried to get our family physician to write a script for a good general antiobitic just for prepping. He said he would think about it and never did. I’m sure he was thinking another crazy prepper....