I have PLENTY of firewood on my place, largely due to the ice storm. We also have an old junk wood stove and a large fireplace insert with glass doors that could be used for cooking and heat. We’ve also stored some triple wall piping and regular stove piping. So we have bit of a backup plan, but it would take some skilled work to install.

Regarding the batteries and inverters: Inverters come in various sizes. I have one that is 400 watts, and another that is 1500 watts. My RV battery is a gel cell, no water, no maintenance. That has its good and bad points, mostly good. It is very powerful and long-lasting. The drawbacks are that you cannot refresh it with water, nor can you charge with a regular battery charger without risk of serious damage. You must purchase a gel cell battery charger which DOES have a microprocessor. Obviously, that is not good for an EMP, so I store it in a Faraday cage, aluminum foil wrapped in a ziplock bag, with another layer of foil and ziplock bag. Of course, you can recharge the battery with either a solar charger or the gel cell charger.

An inverter converts DC power to AC. It is very simple to hook to your battery with alligator clips, and the business end has several plug-ins for appliances. You can run household items with inverters powered from your automobile, marine or tractor batteries, also. They can be purchased for about $10 per 100 watts ($40 for my 400, $150 for my 1500). The 400 watt inverter is not good for much besides a fan or lights. It will not run my refrigerator, probably due to the initial surge wattage. The 1500 watt inverter runs the fridge et alia easily. Of course, one could buy a small camping/dorm fridge that would not pull much power.

Happy trails!

The Wonk

Here above, you have delved into the same realm of ideas I wrote of over two decades ago. The title of the piece that flew into my mind, down and out my fingers was, “The chain always breaks at the weakest link”. The paper and ink it was on was lost in a fire in my mother’s home, but it remains indestructible in my mind.
I have created a profile here which you may enjoy looking over. My BOND WARS comment caught your eye and you offered me to get in contact with you, so here I am.
My RWA (Real Wealth Analysis) exposes the fraud of the operations of the private Central Bank and reveals to the public the simple but harsh truth of their slavery to imaginary “Modern Money”. I would be delighted to hear back from you!
Respectfully & Most Sincerely,
David Franklin

Clothing washer when power goes out: Pail and a new toilet plunger. One cycle soap, 2 cycles rinse, then water the rose bushes.

Loaned Generator: I disagree with your comment Linda, no man is an island. If you are looking to ride out in your neighborhood during a long term breakdown situation, you need your neghbors more than your comment leans to. In a short term (relatively) situation like Wonk encountered, he was able to build trust that one day very soon may be useful.

Great idea on the PVC pipe. I’ve got some segments laying around somewhere…….Now where did I put that post hole digger….

Number 8: Used Forklift batteries are too heavy to steal, may need to recondition them however.

Tobacco: Start growing it now, if you grow too much it works well as a pestiside for your vegetable garden. Besides a handful of cigars or a baggy of loose will make a great trade for PM collecting when the quickie mart runs out.

Happy Preppin

Will email you when I get time, Linda. Nice splice job for major take-away value for readers.

I have some observations and insights about the L’ville area of KY but don’t want to print that for everyone to read. (I was there when Hurricane Ike came up the Ohio Valley and wreaked havoc.) Later!

Gosh, a NEW tractor?! With two accessories? We’ve got several tractors, but the one we use most is a 1949 Ford N! A good tractor is good for a lifetime, and their mileage is terrific. Who knows? Some day the Kubota may be your “go to town vehicle.”

Linda

Great job! I’ve been watching for “my” article to come out for a while.

My latest purchase: a new Kubota tractor with 5′ finishing mower and front end loader. Very nice. Does everything but . . . well, you already addressed those functions. Seriously, it has great possibilities around our farm, especially in the heavy lifting category.

Very enjoyable and informative reading, as always.

– Wonk