Off grid living for geeks, powercuts

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Gadgettm

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#8295 18-Jun-2006 13:09

After hearing about power cuts in Auckland and South Island makes me think how vulnerable people during power cuts.
Really the best thing to do to prepare for such events is start investing on alternative and low power consumption devices.
I have a laptop and wireless internet so basically not dependent on mains power as I can use my laptop in my van.
For cooking and heating I have gas as well.
Small B/W TV and battery powered radio would be used to get the news.
So I actually was quite disappointed when a few days ago we did not have any power cuts in Tauranga when Auckland and South Island had those power cuts. I would like to test how real power cut situation would work out. It is not quite the same turning of power from the mains switch?
How well would you cope in your home without power for 3 days? Would you have life without gadgets?

JAMMAN2110

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#38891 18-Jun-2006 15:27

Thats actually quite an interesting question.
We have a gas heater, a BBQ for cooking and a little camping stove thing as well.
It would be quite interesting to actually try and live without power, a lot of people actually have phobias about loosing power (I forgot what thats called...) In these colder months it could prove to be even harder.
I guess the world has something else to worry about other than a dead planet, dead power.

Gadgettm

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#39238 21-Jun-2006 23:19

Power is still off in many places in South Island. There should be alternatives to maintain basic communication even if it was using morse code and hand crank generator?

JAMMAN2110

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#39335 22-Jun-2006 15:03

I suggest smoke signals - they keep you warm :P

stevonz

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#39337 22-Jun-2006 15:11

I've been serioulsy considering getting a petrol generator - just in case. For only $100 you can get a basic 2-stroke jobby, but I guess its all about mitigating the risk of a power failure. I don't think we would ever need it, and it would probably just sit gathering dust unless we used it for camping...

I live in Aukcland but was far enough into the wild west to not be affected by the recent cuts. I actually had to go home from work so that I could continue to work. Our main issue is that our house relies solely on electricity & with a wee baby in the house, keeping it all nice & warm without our underfloor heating would be a nightmare...

Cheers, Stevo

jpwise

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#39421 23-Jun-2006 10:30

stevonz: I've been serioulsy considering getting a petrol generator - just in case. For only $100 you can get a basic 2-stroke jobby, but I guess its all about mitigating the risk of a power failure.

yeah, i've toyed with the idea aswell, but it's almost a case of lesser evil. cost of petrol (although only needed in an emergency) vs risk of severe power outages. : /

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Gadgettm

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#39651 26-Jun-2006 13:36

Ultimate generator and heater system. It is almost silent and would replace hot water cylinder.
Whispertech in Christchurch makes this great system for off the grid power and heating needs. It is basically a Stirling generator using LPG as fuel but could use anything which burns. As any new idea it is expensive but I would buy one if I had the money. Amazing technology, I saw a prototype in a tradeshow in Cristchurch 2002.

jpwise

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#39653 26-Jun-2006 14:56

Yeah, I read about that a few years ago aswell, but haven't really heard much about it lately. Does look like a superb idea though.

There was also some stuff I read about 6-8 years ago on new processes for producing solar panels, having to do with the compounds used (selenium?), which would apparently drop the price by about 30pc, with expected time to market about 5 years. Haven't really seen any sign of it yet though. :/

Jp.

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Gadgettm

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#40087 29-Jun-2006 14:14

Looking at the website they seems to be busy with the exporting. New zealand is a good place inventing things but to get worldwide recognition you need to go overseas.