Starting My SHTF List!

[theGinsue]

You're off to a good start!

On the fuel storage, blitz plastic cans suck ass, find good mil surplus cans. Invest in stabil fuel stabilizer and double dose the stored stuff. I just got done burning gas that was almost 3 years old that had been double dosed with stabil and it burned fine.

Instead of getting a bigger generator consider a solar backup system or just how to use what you've got, most of the time a small genny will work if you use it carefully.

Good info on the gas cans! Thanks.

Another thing to consider about generators is that they make noise that shouts to others "Here I am and I have stuff you can kill me to take".

[68Charger]

Another thing to consider about generators is that they make noise that shouts to others "Here I am and I have stuff you can kill me to take".

so do lights on after dark, if you're in the scenario where nobody else has power...

[Colorado Luckydog]

Lots of different situations and shit to think about.

[rforsythe]

Out of curiosity, what do you *need* a genny for? I'm having a hard time coming up with things that couldn't be handled with solar chargers or hand-crank-type items, or done with less convenience but less/no power usage. That includes everything on your list at the top. You won't run a house on it, but then again do you really need or want to? And +1 on staying inconspicuous, which means making as little noise as possible, and not being the one glowing room in a sea of darkness. Also gen's need fuel, which would likely become a highly sought-after commodity (along with food and water). Learning how to get along without it means you're that much less dependent on something you may not be able to reliably find, especially if you're trying to make it several hundred miles.

Just my $0.02 though, this is a good forum with lots of solid advice. Enjoying reading it.

[BigBear]

On bugging out to get to your Oklahoma place....

Make sure that isn't your plan A. Think of the logistics involved of traveling x amount of miles. The gear needed, pressure on teh car, gas, family, etc. In a worst case situation, you'd be traveling on major highways with millions of other people vying to find the "perfect spot". Then you have to think about road blocks, criminals, police/militaty, etc. What about when you stop to refill? Who says someone won't shoot you and take your car, etc... I've just never thought bugging out to some remote location should be the first option. Just my two cents.

What I was going to write about was your communications.... In a "situation" which is undefined, we do not know whether coms will be operational or not. Obvisouly with a nuc, the EMP will take out certain structures, etc. With a regular ICBM, just infrastructure, etc. I guess what I'm trying to say is that one of those $40 shortwave/AM/FM crank radios you can pick up at Radio Shack should be fine for the intermediate time you are traveling or getting situated. HAM radios would be nice, but it's no garuntee that Jack, John, Bob, and Sue Ellen will have one too. Also, probably wouldn't be a bad idea to have small mile or so range handhelds for your family when/if you're hunting or away. No garuntees that cell towers, etc will still be operational.... plus lots of baterries. Believe it or not but you can rig up batteries with glass jars, potatoes, and a few other things - I'll try to find that diagram, something we did back in my boyscouts days. Had like a two hour charge off a simple potatoe.

[68Charger]

Out of curiosity, what do you *need* a genny for? I'm having a hard time coming up with things that couldn't be handled with solar chargers or hand-crank-type items, or done with less convenience but less/no power usage.

My well pump- 1.5 HP motor, 240V

This can be run with an inverter & solar- but will require 4kW inverter with nothing else running for startup. If I ever do a new well pump (here or elsewhere) I'll spring for the extra $$ for a DC-powered well pump.

I also have a heat pump for heat currently, that could be replaced with emergency wood-burning system- but if I need a 4kW inverter to run the well pump, that same inverter can run the heat pump (just not at the same time), and it's very efficient.. (ground source heat pump, 400% efficiency)

[daemon734]

I'm looking into getting a nice genny to power my two fridges and the freezer full of meat. I could definately last a lot longer with all that food staying cold.

[refryguy]

so do lights on after dark, if you're in the scenario where nobody else has power...

I've invested in some really good solar cells. I use big yacht DC batteries and keep them charged with a couple of 120volt 12 amp solar cells. It keeps my heater, lights, and water pump in my trailer running all night and day. I can also run TV's, laptops, etc with no problems. If its really cold the blower motor on the heater takes a lot out of the batteries but usually lasts until day time then recharges pretty quick.