This weeks preps check-in

[Brent S]

We ordered a Generac guardian 22kw LPG standby generator, this will be for the house, shop and one of the well house, I'm setting it up as a manual transfer and not automatic, also ordered a 500gal propane tank just for the generator as not to pull from the main tank. I'm currently using a diesel but wanted something with a more stable fuel source. I already have LPG generator in the second well and next year I'll get the 1910 Baker windmill set up on the third.

I have a 10k generator set up with propane on a 500gal tank. I’ve gone back and fourth with generator size. My 10k will run everything in the house, just not all at once. If you want hot water, turn off the AC. Those are the only two energy guzzlers that I have to worry about. I guess if I had the oven and a couple burners going at once I would have to consider that a big draw as well. Even the 10k uses a decent amount of propane though. I recently got a smaller portable generator that will run everything except the AC, but will need to be careful about running one thing at a time. My thought is to conserve fuel use by being a efficient as possible. I could run a 13k and power everything I have with no worries about overloading it, but the fuel consumption would be a third more.

 

[Brent S]

Had a good day today. Weather was perfect, low 60’s and clear, just comfortable outside. Got the firewood restocked inside as it’s about to be below freezing for three days here. I mowed some, did some maintenance on the work trucks, started two more 5gal batches of wine and ate a lot of leftover thanksgiving stuff, and even managed to get a Christmas tree up today. Still have fall decorations all over the house but it’s a step towards the next holiday anyways. No major prepping advances but got some of the normal maintenance things done. Satisfying though.

 

[Maverick]

I have a 10k generator set up with propane on a 500gal tank. I’ve gone back and fourth with generator size. My 10k will run everything in the house, just not all at once. If you want hot water, turn off the AC. Those are the only two energy guzzlers that I have to worry about. I guess if I had the oven and a couple burners going at once I would have to consider that a big draw as well. Even the 10k uses a decent amount of propane though. I recently got a smaller portable generator that will run everything except the AC, but will need to be careful about running one thing at a time. My thought is to conserve fuel use by being a efficient as possible. I could run a 13k and power everything I have with no worries about overloading it, but the fuel consumption would be a third more.

Only thing electric in the house are the lights (LED) a frig and blowers for one of the fire places. Range, stove, water heater, fridge and freezer are gas. The house doesn't use much electricity, most of the electricity would be used in the shop if needed, I wanted to make sure I had more than enough power.

 

[KateMTx]

For the next few weeks I won't be here as much as I am trying to get some certification so I can get a decent job. guess you could call this prepping. It is a must do. What little I have I must invest in this with hope. I have studying to do.

I know how difficult it can be to find a job without certifications of some sort. I've been very blessed to finally have a good job but I still have no idea why they hired me. It doesn't pay a lot so that's probably part of it, but my bosses are awesome. Study hard and good luck!

 

[tmttactical]

@brandx

Keep pushing forward, One step here and one step there. I know you have the stuff to succeed. We all got faith in you.

 

[Arcticdude]

Yesterday I hauled my tractor down to the John Deere dealer to get some hydraulic hoses made for the new snow plow. The first 5 miles of road were covered in snow and ice, slippery but no real problem. Made the 80 mile trip without incident. Coming home was fine until I got to the first steep hill on my road. I made it almost to the top and then lost traction. The truck started sliding back down the hill at a high rate of speed. This section of road is narrow with a drop off on one side. Somehow I managed to keep the truck and trailer from going off the road (in the dark) but I did have to jack knife it to get it to stop. Next I unloaded the tractor, without tipping over, and thought I'd try again. Made it a little farther this time but same thing happened. So now my truck and trailer are stuck in the road with no way to get around it. And the tractor is on the other side. Me and the dog walked the 2 miles home in total darkness. You might ask why didn't I put chains on the truck. Because the &π¥€+$#@ chains are in the barn! So much for my winter preps. Didn't have a flashlight either. Got in to a cold cabin around 9pm. This morning I'll take a set of chains down and try again.
This hill is now call Skidmark Hill.
Prepping is about everyday life, not just for major diasters. I made 2 mistakes here; first I was tired and thought I could haul a 15,000 pound load up a steep snow coverd hill without chains. Next, and this is so basic I'm almost embarrassed to say, I didn't have any water or a flashlight with me. I did have my every day carry bag which had food and extra cold weather clothing.
I'll be re-assessing my winter preps after this stupid incident.

 

[Brent S]

I got some practice soldering electrical connections today. I had to replace the ballasts on some specialty LED lights that involved disconnecting some soldered connections and then re soldering them after the repairs. By the fourth one I had it down. Now I won’t do it again for three years and will be a novice again....

 

[tmttactical]

@Arcticdude

First and foremost, glad you were not injured. Pride may have suffered a bit but a cheap learning experience. The white fluffy stuff is an absolute NO-GO for me. I will never, ever live were there is even the slightest possibility of snow. I have also done the backward jackknife routine and did not enjoy that a bit. I fully understand the "Skid Mark" name tag too. An exterior and interior joke.

 

[Proud Prepper]

I redid my EDC pack. I ordered another set of wire animal snares. Built another fire wood storage cover. Plan on cutting more wood this week and using my dad's electric log splitter.

 

[Brent S]

Am getting to use some preps this morning. Couple inches of snow on the ground and lost power this morning. Made some coffee on the wood stove at first but then decided to screw it and fired up the generator. It’s really cold, wet and muddy out there, so I may just hang near the stove all day

 

[Arcticdude]

Progress on the house is coming along. The HVAC system is almost complete. The electrical is done and passed inspection. But I was told I needed a permit for the solar system. The plumbing is done and they've started on the insulation of the walls. The roof is finially finished. The roofer fell off the roof a couple days ago. He slipped on some ice. The snow broke his fall though. At least he wasn't on the second story roof.
The wood stove and the redwood for the deck was delivered last week. They should be starting on the drywall next week. The front door has been shipped and we can pick it up next week.
It's supposed to start snowing on Monday and possibly for the next 12 days. That could impact the progress some if I can't keep the road open.
Next week the wife and I are going to pick up the appliances, the front door and look at light fixtures and ceiling fans.

 

[Brent S]

Progress on the house is coming along. The HVAC system is almost complete. The electrical is done and passed inspection. But I was told I needed a permit for the solar system. The plumbing is done and they've started on the insulation of the walls. The roof is finially finished. The roofer fell off the roof a couple days ago. He slipped on some ice. The snow broke his fall though. At least he wasn't on the second story roof.
The wood stove and the redwood for the deck was delivered last week. They should be starting on the drywall next week. The front door has been shipped and we can pick it up next week.
It's supposed to start snowing on Monday and possibly for the next 12 days. That could impact the progress some if I can't keep the road open.
Next week the wife and I are going to pick up the appliances, the front door and look at light fixtures and ceiling fans.

It’s always exciting to see a big project come together. After all the hard work there is light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[DrPrepper]

After reading about Articdude's near mishap and having to walk 2 miles to home in the dark, I got a scarf, winter hat, and gloves and put them in a space bag and put them in the trunk of my car.

I also thought about what I would need to get out of my house in a dire emergency. I am thinking like when the authorities would make you evacuate, or a fire, or some other immediate reason to leave. I made a short list on the computer, made the font small, wrote it in code (so that I would know what it means) and put it in a place that I would easily know where it is. Sometimes it is hard to think in an emergency.

I replaced all the batteries in the LED lights I have in the pantry and linen closet.

 

[Brent S]

I have a really nice solar powered led light/phone charger that was for emergencies. This morning at 5:30 when the power went out i grabbed it and it didn’t come on. It’s only about three years old and let me down.... the point is check your stuff often so when you need it, it will be there help you. I tested the thing at the most a month ago and it worked fine. I will let it charge in full sun and test it again before chunking it.

 

[Duncan]

I moved from urban Arizona to rural Idaho last July, just in time for all the fruit trees on our 'new' (house built in 1916) property to fruit. We spent about two hours a day canning (for the first time) and another six hours re-doing two of the rooms (in addition to paying for the pasture fencing, re-piping the entire house, and extending AC power to the outbuildings). Now the house is livable, the garden has been double-dug, and we're catching our breath until January, when we start pruning the overgrown fruit trees.
We converted a bedroom adjacent to the (tiny) kitchen into a 15' X 8' pantry. putting in a laundry sink, and shelving. This week, we built an enclosure for a single burner propane stove for our next year's canning.

 

[Brent S]

I fired up the generator around 5:30this morning and have let it run all day. I think I will shut it down by 8 pm. This is by far the longest I’ve ever run it . Read that the power company said 1800+ homes are without power in my area. The south definitely isn’t prepared for a little snow.... anyways, about mid day I checked the gauge on the 500gal propane tank and it didn’t show any appreciable movement. I will check it again in the morning and get a real world idea of fuel consumption. I am heating with the wood stove comfortably but it has been nice today having tv and internet. Hope to have power back on tomorrow, but it’s nice to know it’s covered if not. Prepping is well worth the effort and expense.

 

[Brent S]

Yeah, the power came back on! I just gave the genny a well deserved rest.

 

[tmttactical]

Brent, it is always nice when the plans come together.

 

[jontte]

the project started with this.. next phase was this (and alot of tree shavings ) this is almost done , know I could have bought it,but simply had to find out do I still have it in my fingers to do stuff..
weight around 700 grams,nothing glued,detachable parts.

 

[Petoski]

Looks great Jontte