Hope you get power back on soon!

Got power back in the afternoon.

I keep a few camp stoves handy and I have small cheap solar lights out front and in the side yard. I"ve had to use the camp stoves during blackouts during the AZ summer Monsoons - fair amount of power outages from lighting strikes, etc. Cook with the camp stoves - pantry with assorted canned goods comes in handy and light the place with the solar lights - just grab a few from along the walkway. Dollar Tree = well Buck 25 tree now sells them for well... $1.25 each. Beats trying to use the bathroom in total darkness

Yes the big thing is lights, then communication and keeping the food cold.

Me, Lights and the food. Communication comes in 3rd. if anything I have a solar charged battery pack that can top off the cellphone - provided the Cell system is up and running.

Harbor Freight built a store in the next town over from me a few years ago. I've bought a number of flashlights from them (including USB-rechargeables) and picked up a 3-AAA LED lantern two years ago. It's great when the lights go out; reading-brightness white in a whole room for under $5. They have three grades of batteries and their high-end ones I can find no fault with... unlike the Copperheads...

Yep it pays to plan ahead and be ready for the what ifs.

I do miss my gas range...

Vix

I understand I have a hard time thinking of not having a gas range. Its one of those things that works.

And that is why I keep my 250 amp 1965 miller ac/DC welder generator up to date outfitted dual fuel and a big assed solar storage array.

Yes that the was to do things.

Yes that the was to do things... planning ahead saves heartache most of the time.

I live in bf nowhere. Ironically Right of interstate 5. But when power goes down it's down.

I understand...

If anything, I appreciate how you handle the situation. I've been contemplating getting a gasoline powered generator in case those "Rolling blackouts" come to Pasadena.

One thing to remember, modern gasoline doesn't last that long - goes bad in a few months even with storage stabilizers added to it. Bottles of the stuff say it works up to 2 years when added to all blends, even the ethanol stuff. Generator isn't a bad idea but keep it well away from the house - don't need CO poisoning from the exhaust.

Agreed CO is a silent killer. With propane the wast is CO2 and water with very little CO. That's why I suggested a propane power generator. It's a little more cost up front but safer over all.

Aha! (To Both.) Thanks for watching out for me Buddies.

gasoline lasts forever if you keep it sealed in steel cans that can hold the full vapor pressure

with nothing evaporating off it'll sit there just the same as it already did underground for a zillion years

I have an older 600 watt Honda that will run the frig and charge my jump pack or cordless tool batteries.

A company I think in California carries a generator that is build to run on just propane. This is good for a standby system because propane doesn't go bad over time like gas will.

We have an unused, second-hand Honda generator here at the "Estate" too, but regarding the risk of Carbon Monoxide poisoning, I might as well let the Landlord's sister take it home.

If it's already there you need to keep it away from open doors and windows. And get a CO monitor.

Just don't run it in the house some idiots do... happens a lot..

My friend Jim, who is an independent welder, warned me not to put on too many lights during an extended power blackout because it would "Draw people to the light like Moths."

I've settled on getting a portable propane powered generator that is rated powerful enough to run the 'Fridge and the Computer station. Hopefully one that isn't too noisy, as well.

Good thinking there on Jim's part. Yeah, would attract the riff raff and entitled a**hole* "I just want to....." yeah right...

Originally I had planned to build my house with solar and a backup generator. I've had the power go out only 4 or 5 times since 2013. None of them long enough to merit bothering with a generator. Power co-op is expensive but the service is very, very good

You are lucky our co-op is good with service but still power goes out 3 to 5 times a year. We've had it for a week a couple of times.

Dang, that would be rough. Keep canned food and other foods that don't need to be refridgerated handy

Yep.