Bruce,
No we actually use 220V AC. (Same as UK ).
Our holiday caravan is right beside the beach in County Kerry (Ireland). We do not have any mains power, so we use solar panels and gas (as in Propane or butane - I'm not sure which we have).

Tim,
We are in the middle of a stream of lows, one after the other - I am not sure which is Wilma - winds are 60 to 70 kilometres - just gale force ! It did cause the 4th Sunday of our Frostbite Series to be cancelled. We have actually only had 2 races out of 8 so far - two more weekends to go, then hibernation. I sailed a Shadow for the first time last week and won both races on the water - not many out - 2 F18s, 2 Dart 18s, 1 Dart 16 and a Shadow. The Shadow was beautiful upwind - took a bit of getting used to downwind, with the small spinnaker - and it being not as far forward (no pole) as on a Spitfire or F18.
Stay safe over there

Eric,
I see your mailbox made it. Did you cast that into rebar concrete too? Glad to hear you did better with this one than last time.

-Rob

Wilma ranked herself while going over Florida.

http://www.nbc-2.com/articles/readarticle.asp?articleid=4715&z=3&p=

Bobru,

AC power is transmitted more efficiently over long distances than DC. Edison tried to put a DC transmission system in place in the early 20th centruy, but couldn't get the power very far due to heat loss and other electrical engineering mumbo-jumbo.

Electricity is nice, but is it absoulutely essential for survival? Those of you who are familiar (and comfortable) with cruising probably have plenty of options that don't require electricity (or very small amounts).

Candles, the solar shower (that bag thing), and propane grill will probably carry you a long way before you have to stop at the gas station.

Had the weather been hot, I'm sure I would have been groaning about the lack of air conditioning, but I'm thinking I'll get a 'window unit' to run off the generator and cool off one room for sleeping at night. Got to be cheaper than a whole-house generator.

I remember working in the Bahamas when power/water interruptions were common and would last a week or more while they waited on spare parts. You learn to deal with it.

As for why I didn't evacuate, three things:

1) I planned on leaving if it was a CAT 3 or better. Unfortunately, they didn't upgrade it until it was too late.

2) The emergency shelter for my area was actually CLOSER to the water than my house (and not built as well, either)

3) Working in the insurance industry, I knew that I would have to be available to my clients that afternoon (storm passed around 3:00 pm), it was easier to stay put than to travel too far (and not know if I would have the fuel to return)

Hello All,

Since we are all seasoned alternative energy folks by now..

..and we know that the Generators we see have 2 parts,

..the engine part

..that turns the 'electrical' part.

Seeing, that we all have the 'engine' part sitting in our driveways with big gas tanks built in..

..we need the 'electrical part' to hook up too.

I bet the Farm and Tractor stores have the solutions already.

Other than PTO, I suspect a type of belt or chain drive could be had reasonable.

Just a thought.

By now, you all have realized some candles last longer than others,.right?

regards,

Bruce
St. Croix

Eric,

I don't know if your area has any restrictions on the fence, but when you repair/replace go with galvanized steel posts and put them at least 3' in the ground. Schedule 40 will hold up just fine as long as the ground holds. Even then all you do is straighten the post and re-pack the ground around it and you're back in business.

Good luck,
Clayton

I sink those things in about 2 feet of concrete. I think the fence will stand long after the rest of the house falls down...

Clayton,
Great observation.

I had a fence guy stop by yesterday. He recommended 3" square galvanized tube with 2x4 bolted to it and screw the stringers on to that. 3'Deep x 11" wide hole with 3 bags o'cement per hole.