What I learned from Hurricane Irma

[Danil54grl]

Yeah, I just don't have the heart to replace a perfectly good appliance. I recently replaced the water heater with another electric one and regret it now..... the stove is more important to me as gas is easier to cook on as well as better for prepping.

You can always boil water on the new gas stove when you get it. Water heater can wait .

 

[Gazrok]

Use a big window or ceiling attic fan that sucks the air out of your house. Put it in a hall cieling into attic or main room exterior wall. This will create a breeze through any opened window or door throughout the house. You open and close these as needed. Great air circulation and like having a fan at every open window or exterior door.

Just won't work, without a lot of expense. The house simply isn't designed that way (and ceiling fans still take electricity...if I have that, I have AC). My main big window doesn't open, it's all one piece. The house simply isn't designed for through airflow.

As for the batteries, already ordered a recharger that does AA, AAA, C, D, 9v. And ordered some rechargeable batteries. I get the advantages of the other, etc., but I already have quite a few battery powered lights, and these batteries are common to find. That's a big plus.

I also ordered a solar powered cell phone charger, just $25, and it will basically negate one of the biggest concerns many of us had during the storm...keeping our phones charged. Not only to check on loved ones, find out about power, etc., but also for entertainment, sharing the experience with others, good info on the storm, etc. We could actually see on radar, as the eyewall passed over us. (and when we were in the calm spot of the eye, I ran out and checked on all the animals!).

I'm with Brent though, on the generator plus propane tank power as a long term solution. I researched solar for a LONG time as well, but cost vs. benefit, the generator plus tank solution just blows solar out of the water (like a third of the cost, and more longevity of parts). This may change as tech changes for solar, but now, just not as viable of an option. And, many people learned a hard fact. When the grid is down, even solar people had no power, unless they also had some kind of battery solution. (this is because the solar feeds to grid, then they draw from the grid, and get a check for any unused power they generate). I know folks I personally talked to, who had this happen.

In the short term, we are simply going to get a small gas generator (about the 4000w range), and two window A/C units (5000 BTU). This would be for our son's room, and the guest bedroom (as they are on the same wall, and there by the dog yard). I can put the generator way out in the dog yard, 50' away from the house for noise and safety, and easily run cords to both of these rooms. The two rooms are pretty small, so they would be easy to keep cool. I can also run a cord to one fridge/freezer unit as well (though I'd probably cycle that, as it doesn't need constant power).

I'd still like an option for the well pump as well, so looking into that, but really, with our methods, we still had PLENTY of water, even if we had to go another week or more. And that's saying something, considering we were also watering 48 total animals as well. (between ours, boarders, and emergency boarded animals we took in). We basically utilized every stabling space we had, save one (and it was ready, but the folks chose a closer place to them, to ride it out).

 

[Gazrok]

You can always boil water on the new gas stove when you get it. Water heater can wait

Eventually, I plan to make a gravity fed shower out in the backyard, in the pool/gazebo/firepit area.

After the storm though, my existing gazebo and pool is toast, so had to rethink a more stormproof solution for both of these. (which I've done, but now how to budget them...) The firepit was already devised, just not executed yet. The good news, is that I made some placement mistakes previously, that I can now rectify in reworking the backyard entertainment area.

Sucks though, as I found a really cool gadget addition to the gazebo. This light bulb, that is a "smart bulb", it's bluetooth controlled, and has a speaker, as well as different colored LEDs, etc. Damn neat. At least this survived.

 

[Brent S]

You can always boil water on the new gas stove when you get it. Water heater can wait .

The water heater can actually have a solar pre heater to warm water during the day pretty easily. It's just a box installed on the roof, or even on the ground, that has a coil of water pipe in it, painted black inside and with a clear cover panel over it. It doesn't use any power, has no moving parts and can heat enough to take a comfortable shower. Probably only good in the southern climates, but beats taking a cold shower!

 

[Brent S]

You can always boil water on the new gas stove when you get it. Water heater can wait .

The water heater can actually have a solar pre heater to warm water during the day pretty easily. It's just a box installed on the roof, or even on the ground, that has a coil of water pipe in it, painted black inside and with a clear cover panel over it. It doesn't use any power, has no moving parts and can heat enough to take a comfortable shower. Probably only good in the southern climates, but beats taking a cold shower!

 

[Gazrok]

the FL sun should heat the water in a gravity fed shower, most days. I could always put a fresnal lens over top too, but that may make it TOO hot, lol..

 

[Brent S]

the FL sun should heat the water in a gravity fed shower, most days. I could always put a fresnal lens over top too, but that may make it TOO hot, lol..

I had a pool heater there that was just black rubber sheets with tubes in them on the roof. The pump sent water up to the top and it heated so well as it flowed down them that I could swim almost all year long. I got a giant sheet of bubble wrap to hold the heat in some at night too. Yeah, in Fla there is no reason you can't make warm water for free most days.

 

[TexasFreedom]

Gazrok,

Something to consider. You might want to run the generator straight to your breaker box. You need to be careful, but there are some real advantages. First, a 4kW generator can put out 30-35 amps, so you'll need maybe 8 ga wiring. You don't want several cables going all directions: 1st AC unit, 2nd AC, fridge, freezer, fans, etc. It'll be a rats nest. Instead, run a single wire to a breaker in your breaker box. Note if it's a 120v generator, you may need to shuffle your breakers so that outlets in each of the bedrooms and your fridge/freezer/etc are on that same 120v leg. If you have a 240v generator, run it to both hot legs and no issues. Of course you'll need to make sure you main breaker stays shut off both so you don't feed the grid and in case the grid comes back up. But now your house wiring distributes power everywhere. Oh, and if it's a 240v generator, you can downsize to 10, maybe even 12ga wiring.

 

[Maverick]

Gazrok,

Something to consider. You might want to run the generator straight to your breaker box. You need to be careful, but there are some real advantages. First, a 4kW generator can put out 30-35 amps, so you'll need maybe 8 ga wiring. You don't want several cables going all directions: 1st AC unit, 2nd AC, fridge, freezer, fans, etc. It'll be a rats nest. Instead, run a single wire to a breaker in your breaker box. Note if it's a 120v generator, you may need to shuffle your breakers so that outlets in each of the bedrooms and your fridge/freezer/etc are on that same 120v leg. If you have a 240v generator, run it to both hot legs and no issues. Of course you'll need to make sure you main breaker stays shut off both so you don't feed the grid and in case the grid comes back up. But now your house wiring distributes power everywhere. Oh, and if it's a 240v generator, you can downsize to 10, maybe even 12ga wiring.

Unless it’s a split bus panel, many homes built in the 70s used the split bus, a nightmare for connecting the generator to the house, then take into account the generators wiring design (bonded or floating)

 

[Psalm7]

Going to add solar recharging of batteries and devices to immediate list . Living in TN Im still in the South and it gets as hot but not as long as FL . I grew up spending alot of time around the "old Folks" . None of them had air conditioning in the early 70's. They had chairs under the shade trees and on the porch . Sit on the porch and swat fly's listen to the local radio . In the evening windows open it was tolerable inside then here it really cools off at night .
No I would not like being without air conditioning but as a prepp I will have to incorporate that into our retirement house . Not alot I can do about that now if We have a long term power outage .

 

[TexasFreedom]

Unless it’s a split bus panel, many homes built in the 70s used the split bus, a nightmare for connecting the generator to the house, then take into account the generators wiring design (bonded or floating)

Fair enough. I was assuming a 'modern' breaker design. Heck, I didn't even account for the old screw-in fuses! But good point. For anyone that is not competent at electrical work, please don't try to kill yourself.

And having a second person there with a 2x4 is always a good idea. Not kidding. If you get electrocuted, they use the 2x4 to whack you away from the power. If they grab you, they'll join you in death. Wives ALWAYS enjoy that job: it's important, they are the ultimate in charge, and sometimes us husbands could use a good wack.

 

[Maverick]

Fair enough. I was assuming a 'modern' breaker design. Heck, I didn't even account for the old screw-in fuses! But good point. For anyone that is not competent at electrical work, please don't try to kill yourself.

And having a second person there with a 2x4 is always a good idea. Not kidding. If you get electrocuted, they use the 2x4 to whack you away from the power. If they grab you, they'll join you in death. Wives ALWAYS enjoy that job: it's important, they are the ultimate in charge, and sometimes us husbands could use a good wack.

Instead of me typing out from memory, here is an article that does better explaining.

https://www.norwall.com/blog/generator-information/portable-generators-homes-electrical-ground/

..and here

http://www.ecmweb.com/qampa/code-qa-78

 

[Gazrok]

If a backup for the house, I'm going Brent's route with a generator and gas backup. For $25, at least we solved the cell phone problem (with a solar charger). For another $600, we'll solve the A/C one, at least for an outage for a few days (with a gas generator, and two window A/C units).

 

[Gazrok]

FYI, for this storm season, we did get the AC units and generator.
Got more of the solar cell phone chargers.
Got some backup propane canisters.
Got more candles and a couple of sconces for areas that were still a bit dark last time.
Got some tac lights with lithium ion batteries, and some that take normal ones.
Hands free headband lights, one for all in the house.
Extra fuel for the chainsaw, and other lawn implements.
Additional 55 gal. water barrel to always be at the stable. (so I don't have to lug over the trough)

STILL PLANNING: (so hopefully ready next summer)

Going to build a sturdy gazebo using 4x4s and 2x4s, since Irma destroyed the one we purchased. (also doing a homemade outdoor kitchen in the gazebo, with running water and electric)

Getting a new above ground pool, sinking it slightly, then building a sturdy partial deck. At least our expensive pump survived.

Creating a fire pit/grill area near the pool and gazebo, with surrounding benches

While more rec in nature, vs. prep, the prep application comes in via the additional non-powered cooking methods, water supply of the pool, etc.

 

[Danil54grl]

Our gazebo is in a corner of our back yard surrounded by a 6 ft wooden privacy fence on two sides. It has a wooden floor and used cedar tree trunks that were blown over during hurricane Rita which are fastened to the flooring. When hurricanes come thru, we brace it up with the tractor for added support. The 6 ft fencing didn't really help since it always gets knocked over it seems and has to get rebuilt. Just something we do for our gazebo which so far has held up for 2 hurricanes now.

 

[Gazrok]

Mine was just one of those purchased metal ones, with the canvas roofing. It was a sturdy model though. It weathered the Cat 1 winds just fine. But, when the eyewall came through, it just twisted it like tin foil. Same with the pool supports (unfortunately, I was patching it a few days before the storm, and hadn't finished, so couldn't fill it for the storm). the pool needed to be replaced anyhow. (though the $300 pump, not the one that came with it, is fine.

New gazebo will be all wood, support posts sunk 2' in the ground, and a wooden roof.

We really did enjoy it as an outdoor area, and would have cookouts, etc. under it. So definitely want that again.

 

[Proud Prepper]

Hey Gazrok, I noticed you never like anyones posts. Why is that? Is there nothing you like from others? Lol...

 

[Gazrok]

Hey Gazrok, I noticed you never like anyones posts. Why is that? Is there nothing you like from others? Lol...

I just don't like filling up folks' alerts with Likes. If it didn't alert, I would.
Rest assured, if I'm commenting, it's because I like the post!

 

[brandx]

Something I realized about my house. Not a lot of windows really, and those we have, none provide for a through breeze...just individual rooms. It's really a strange design, but not made for the FL heat. Heck, can't even open the big dining room window. Just not made to do so.

For next time, we'll isolate two of the bedrooms, have window A/C units, running off a genny to keep those two rooms sleepable.

I have a portable AC, it comes on wheels, just put the hose out the window. Move to the garage or whatever. Just a thought. I am using it in a vintage camper because I don't want to punch a hole in the wall and the roof won't support a roof top AC.

 

[brandx]

Going to add solar recharging of batteries and devices to immediate list . Living in TN Im still in the South and it gets as hot but not as long as FL . I grew up spending alot of time around the "old Folks" . None of them had air conditioning in the early 70's. They had chairs under the shade trees and on the porch . Sit on the porch and swat fly's listen to the local radio . In the evening windows open it was tolerable inside then here it really cools off at night .
No I would not like being without air conditioning but as a prepp I will have to incorporate that into our retirement house . Not alot I can do about that now if We have a long term power outage .

Brings to mind sleeping porches.