Load Shedding is coming (probably), how will you prepare?

[udderlyoffroad]

There was a thread recently about people planning for ‘water shortages’.  Anyway, given the current situation with the UK electricity supply, and fundamental lack of domestic generation capacity, South African style ‘load shedding’, also known as rolling blackouts, is a very real possibility this winter.  IMHO, of course.  Having experienced a couple of days without supply thanks to the storms earlier this year, it was something of a rude reminder how dependent we are on electricity.

So, what are people on PW doing to insulate themselves somewhat from this impending, uh, situation?

For instance, I’ve got Makita 18V cordless tools and associated batteries.  You can get an adaptor to allow you to charge your USB devices (phones, tablets, torches etc) off an 18V battery, so you can at least remain in contact with people (cell towers going down nothwithstanding).  A 5Ah battery should last for days when used this way.

I've ordered a 'caravan' kettle, 900w, which should run happily on the petrol generator.  Previous experience was that my woodburner doesn't get hot enough on its top plate to boil water, and if it does, it burns fuel too quickly.

Any other bright ideas folks?
 

[oldypigeonpopper]

27 minutes ago, udderlyoffroad said:

There was a thread recently about people planning for ‘water shortages’.  Anyway, given the current situation with the UK electricity supply, and fundamental lack of domestic generation capacity, South African style ‘load shedding’, also known as rolling blackouts, is a very real possibility this winter.  IMHO, of course.  Having experienced a couple of days without supply thanks to the storms earlier this year, it was something of a rude reminder how dependent we are on electricity.

So, what are people on PW doing to insulate themselves somewhat from this impending, uh, situation?

For instance, I’ve got Makita 18V cordless tools and associated batteries.  You can get an adaptor to allow you to charge your USB devices (phones, tablets, torches etc) off an 18V battery, so you can at least remain in contact with people (cell towers going down nothwithstanding).  A 5Ah battery should last for days when used this way.

I've ordered a 'caravan' kettle, 900w, which should run happily on the petrol generator.  Previous experience was that my woodburner doesn't get hot enough on its top plate to boil water, and if it does, it burns fuel too quickly.

Any other bright ideas folks?
 

Hello, I bought a camping stove and gas cans 🤔, must have my morning TEA 😁

[ditchman]

going to buy a parafeen stove cooker..................worried about not being able to get camping gas..

[Penelope]

2 minutes ago, ditchman said:

going to buy a parafeen stove cooker..................worried about not being able to get camping gas..

A Propane/Butane mix is best, Camping Gaz (blue canister) is just butane.

[udderlyoffroad]

Not really an option for indoor use, and I cant see the missus trudging outside to tend a stove.  Be muggins here firing up the generator.

[Westley]

I'm going to burn my utility bills, should be able to cook on that for a while  !

[RyanMc]

Few 100 Candles, x4 deep cycle batteries @400ah each with inverter will power a few LED lights etc for a long time or the fire back boiler circulation pump on low for a few days if calcs are correct. Small solar trickle charger, camping stove, small gas cylinder with bottom cut off with a mesh top makes a good single pan stove, wood for fires etc. fill the freezer with bottles of water if not filled tight with food, keeps them from thawing as quick. All fairly simple and easy to do in advance. Not actively prepping for anything in particular, I just enjoy messing with things or having them for storms, planned maintenance and the rest.

The powertool battery adaptor sounds handy.

[nellywinner]

Have a look at Rocket Stoves on Youtube. Very simple efficient method to cook outside if needed, made one for back garden and enjoy using it. Many different variations to choose from.

[ph5172]

I have not done anything really. 
 

I have an old camping stove and some candles in the garage but nothing substantial or procured for the recent energy crisis. 
 

I may have to invest in a couple of gas canisters so at least I can cook a basic stew or curry in one pan and boil water. 
 

I did read they may use flood pricing by reducing the cost outside peak times 

Edited September 2, 2022 by ph5172

[bone]

I have just bought a 400w portable solar panel and battery storage system that will give 3+kWh 230v a/c. To see if it's any good for emersion heater use, if not then perhaps clothes iron for hids👍😂

[yates]

Already got the butane gas cylinders for cooking and lighting . Will stock up on charcoal for the kamado Joe. Hopefully they won’t be required but you gotta be prepared. Won’t be too much of a hardship cooking outside as cooked all the Christmas meat on the Kamado Joe last year. My longest burn time so far is 12 hours 

[welsh1]

Push comes to shove i will break out the hexi blocks and stove😂

[TIGHTCHOKE]

10 minutes ago, welsh1 said:

Push comes to shove i will break out the hexi blocks and stove😂

Plenty sitting here in case.  

[Stonepark]

Everyone in south Africa has generator sets, if you don't already have one, now is the time to purchase, before the rush starts!

[Scully]

I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s, I can handle it. 🙂

[manthing]

Well first thing I'd sort is my jenny from the hay bayler I've let borrow .

I have a reasonable supply of charcoal stashed for the pizza oven that will cook most things. The bbq of course and a Gillie kettle for just the odd cuppa.

If it gets really cold we can hunker down in the living room by the open fire, wood store is well stocked.

No gas or mains water so not to bad there.

Edited September 2, 2022 by manthing

[Jaymo]

Makita power adapter, wind up radio, gas bbq, genny, camping stove, solar power banks - all things we have already. 
 

[udderlyoffroad]

1 minute ago, Stonepark said:

Everyone in south Africa has generator sets

Those in RSA who can afford it, have solar and a battery bank.  Makes the load shedding almost invisible to you if you're well setup.

Obviously, the, uh, lower wiring standards, not to mention labour costs means fitting solar is a much more economic option.  And that's before we consider the effectiveness/hours of sunshine  -though the difference between RSA and UK, depending on where you are, isn't as big as you'd expect.

 

2 minutes ago, Scully said:

I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s, I can handle it. 🙂

Sorry Scully, don't mean to single you out, but you were a young pup then.  You're...older now.   Might you find it harder going now?

The people on this thread and the energy saving thread mentioning the winter of discontent in '79; that was 43 years ago.  Other than some kind of 'folk were made of sterner stuff back then' -  What can we learn from then, that is relevant to now?  Yes, put a jumper on, ok we've got that.  Anything else?

As I say, please don't take this as a personal dig, you're just the first person on this thread to mention it.

 

 

[Stonepark]

17 minutes ago, udderlyoffroad said:

And that's before we consider the effectiveness/hours of sunshine  -though the difference between RSA and UK, depending on where you are, isn't as big as you'd expect.
 

Where, I am in "sunny" east of Scotland, 1kwh of panel will return 900kwh\annum, if "gloomy" Durban in SA, which is worst in SA, lowest is 1560kwh\annum.

For contrast best in England does 1150 (Isle of Wight).

[old'un]

1 hour ago, Scully said:

I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s, I can handle it. 🙂

I feel the “Four Yorkshiremen Sketch” is about to pop-up.

[Smokersmith]

Nothing … I expect no domestic impact.

[sportsbob]

13 minutes ago, udderlyoffroad said:

As I say, please don't take this as a personal dig, you're just the first person on this thread to mention it.

Ill be the second then, I lived in a Stafordshire village and we had power cuts through the miners strikes and ice on the inside of the windows in winter in the 60s. We had more blankets on the bed to keep us warm and layers of clothing when outside in the snow that was two foot deep. No car or telephone no solar panels or rechargeable batteries just a coal fire in the living room. 

[Scully]

35 minutes ago, udderlyoffroad said:

 

 

Sorry Scully, don't mean to single you out, but you were a young pup then.  You're...older now.   Might you find it harder going now?

The people on this thread and the energy saving thread mentioning the winter of discontent in '79; that was 43 years ago.  Other than some kind of 'folk were made of sterner stuff back then' -  What can we learn from then, that is relevant to now?  Yes, put a jumper on, ok we've got that.  Anything else?

As I say, please don't take this as a personal dig, you're just the first person on this thread to mention it.

 

 

🙂 No problem at all. I was 20 in 1979. Coal fires, candles and good clothes, much as it was back then really. 
I’m not that fussed about a flat iPhone or no tv, and can cook on a little portable stove. 
The one big difference from then is a generator, but we didn’t use it during the cuts we had last year, so not sure it’ll get used if the time comes. 
Any power cuts will be broadcast, as they were back in the 70’s, so easily catered for. 

17 minutes ago, old'un said:

I feel the “Four Yorkshiremen Sketch” is about to pop-up.

😀👍

[sportsbob]

47 minutes ago, old'un said:

I feel the “Four Yorkshiremen Sketch” is about to pop-up.

No they had it good 

[harrycatcat1]

4 hours ago, udderlyoffroad said:

There was a thread recently about people planning for ‘water shortages’.  Anyway, given the current situation with the UK electricity supply, and fundamental lack of domestic generation capacity, South African style ‘load shedding’, also known as rolling blackouts, is a very real possibility this winter.  IMHO, of course.  Having experienced a couple of days without supply thanks to the storms earlier this year, it was something of a rude reminder how dependent we are on electricity.

So, what are people on PW doing to insulate themselves somewhat from this impending, uh, situation?

For instance, I’ve got Makita 18V cordless tools and associated batteries.  You can get an adaptor to allow you to charge your USB devices (phones, tablets, torches etc) off an 18V battery, so you can at least remain in contact with people (cell towers going down nothwithstanding).  A 5Ah battery should last for days when used this way.

I've ordered a 'caravan' kettle, 900w, which should run happily on the petrol generator.  Previous experience was that my woodburner doesn't get hot enough on its top plate to boil water, and if it does, it burns fuel too quickly.

Any other bright ideas folks?