February, 2021 Texas Ice Storm Lessons Learned Follow Up on Alternate Power

[@ch0mper]

loved your other video, this one was great too

[@josiahsmom3781]

Thank you! Please do a video on how to survive power outages during the HOT summer months.

[@judiehavard4903]

Get a duel fuel generator..for frig or freezers and to run a few lights and water pump..Don't cheap out on generator. You can purchase battery operated 10 inch fans. They helped us a lot. A good camp stove with 2 burners..You can purchase an adaptor for it to connect larger propane bottles to it. The adaptors cost about $ 20. Take advantage of outdoor shade put a kids pool in the backyard. Water to swim for everybody. Entertainment to keep kids occupied and extra water to flush toilets. Lots of cold drinks. Repel bug mosquito candles. If you don't have shade purchase one of those canopy that quickly go up . Sleep in the room that has the most windows and run your battery operated fans. Put the fans on the window sills and face then into the room. Blow up mattresses . A blowup mattress on the floor for all in the windowed room with fans. They are actually cool on your back for sleeping. Cool bath before bed. Use cool towels around your neck in daytime. Lite meals salads.

[@pattiwhite9575]

Thank you William! You got the right idea. I am on the coast and after two storms in one year I need what you suggest. Both times we camped in the living room. First to share a room fan cause of the heat. This time to share a space heater. We had a generator for refrigerator, electric in 3 rooms and TV with VCR. But it required days of refueling for gas and checking the fuel on generator for days on end. I like your portable solar panel idea. It will help me for either storm aftermath. All the RV people love their Jackerys and portable solar panels. Water was another issue for us. 4 days water boil. We just recently got a electric Primo Water dispenser. Holds 5 gallon containers. We went through 2 during the ordeal. Electric Hot water in an instant. Cold in a shot. Wonderful!!! My last problem was NO Cell Phone, No Internet and no TV. I had no idea what was happening in the world. Drove me out of my mind for a couple of days. We would drive into another area of town for gas for generator and we could use our phones and check in on internet sites as to what was going on and get fast food. It was maddening that I could not find my old rabbit ears for TV. But, hilarious to watch 30 year old movies. Everyone looked so young again. We had to dig and search out the old system and DVDs....LOL I Never want to experience another ice storm again. And I am getting too old for the hurricanes too.

[@georgerector9252]

Two points: Top off fuel tanks on generators after monthly maintenance to reduce space in tank to help prevent condensation. Secondly on southside of Sam, we have several convenient stores that cater to boating. They sell non-ethanol gasoline. A few cents a gallon more but worth it.

[@commonman7776]

thumbs up my friend

[@jims146]

As a mechanic for over 30 years the tip about running your small engines out fuel is a good habit to do. I go one step farther and drain the fuel tanks as well. I have several 5 gal fuel cans that I replace the fuel in every 6 months, when the time comes I dump the fuel in the truck when the tank is low and refill the gas cans. This eliminates the need for fuel stabilizers, as stabilizers cause more problems than they solve. A simple trick for lighting is buying those solar powered lights for the outside walkways ect and make or buy candelabras and hot glue gun the lights where the candles would go. When times are good they make nice lighted ornaments for outside and when the power goes out can be bought inside for light. Right before you bed just sit them outside to recharge to be used again at night.

[@markeayers]

Ethanol in the gas will attract water in the fuel which does ruin small engines when left in the tank and system. It's recommend to drain the carb and gas tank if you aren't running the engines for two months. Stored gas will go bad after a while too, so add stabilizer and rotate the stock every now and then. Start those generators every two to four weeks to keep them running ang they will work when you need them too! Also, using a battery to make tea isn't very efficient, as it would use up a ton of your stored power to do that. Things that get hot use the most electricity. That's what a propane stove, burner or even your wood stove would be useful for.

[@wcknives]

Yep, that is what I said in the video. 😁

[@vaughnwesterby5162]

Good stuff William thanks! 👍🏻🇺🇸

[@kevola5739]

Please consider smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers for all your shelters. Something no one thinks about when an emergency comes up and one less thing to worry about when it does. Then you can whittle to stay warm.

[@ravin747]

Hi William I have another tip for you by not using all the power on your battery backup. I purchased on Amazon , it’s called gas one butane /propane stove. It’s a single burner cook top. You can use it safely inside with butane Canisters, I believe it is 15000 Btu’s well enough to boil or fry . It’s mod# 3900P Hope this helps

[@wcknives]

Appreciate it. I have several butane stoves, alcohol stoves and also a jet boil.

[@yetisuncle666]

you sir, have earned a new sub. granted its only me. but hey. i apreciate what you do and what you say. here in oklahoma we typically get ice storms. and they rarely last longer than 4 days. even those are rare. seems like 2 is the standard. but this last one was hideous. this last one was really odd. we didnt get what i would say is a lot of snow and ice. about 6 inches with some places up to 10. but it was the bitter cold that was murderous. there was a guy who was 42 in the town next to ours who froze to death in his truck. -13 degrees is deadly in small time periods. he didnt even have time to get into his well stocked house. kinda crazy. people gotta get prepared. you never know when the next disaster will hit. tornadoes and flood season is a few weeks away.

[@wcknives]

Welcome to the channel and appreciate your comment.

[@MissSherry]

Thx for a great video, I understood your backup to a backup, also you were just testing the electric pot, not something you would use your gens for during dire needs in other areas. I won’t be blow drying my hair either 😂🤣😂 thx again🇺🇸

[@wendellhagg3511]

Great Logic !! H.

[@paulsanders1]

Thank you!

[@bhamptonkc7]

2000w / 5 hour charge day is 400 watts per hour. So you need 400 w charging regardless of conditions so plan on over kill to compensate for clouds, bad angle, anything that does not allow the panel to max out.

[@lenward474]

Up here in Canada use high test in boats, garden motors etc. No ethanol. Seen the internal damage. Cummins is propane seems good idea when natural gas not around Your modular solar system makes sense. Jackery has 1500,2000 coming. Yes the Ethan treatment seems erratic that's why high test. Take care, stay safe

[@wcknives]

Both my generators are dual fuel. Another reason for the additional propane tanks. Also looking at installing propane plumbing in the shop with a 200 gallon tank.

[@pattiwhite9575]

@@wcknives Yep a 200 gallon is great. IF...you live in an area that will allow it. People here were running out of propane and we had huge lines for propane after 3 days. Gas, Propane and Whataburger was were the lines were in the city.

[@botat34691]

Jackery just came out with a 1500 and 2000, also Bluyetti just came out with a massive EB500. It's like 5 kilowatts.

[@wcknives]

Wow! Thanks!

[@bhamptonkc7]

Use ethanol free fuel for storage.

[@RayLacks]

cool video. Have you looked into goal zero yeti they have larger units.

[@wcknives]

Yes I have, thanks!

[@robinorga528]

Can you also attach wind to the yeti?

[@paulsanders1]

Hey thanks for sharing that fuel stabilizer product, but the angle of the camera did not allow full view of the label. I got “Ethanol _________.” What’s the full name of that product, please and thank you? Paul Sanders Nor Ca Prepper

[@wcknives]

Sorry this is it. Fuel Medics 37360 Gasoline Medic Ethanol Fuel Treatment and Stabilizer for Gasoline Engines, 2-Ounce www.amazon.com/dp/B0053RLMBQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_B7J34DRC8G9822Q1MZ82?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[@lenward474]

Your friend at demolition ranch put in Cummins generator st Christmas. Great timing. Better setup than solar etc??????

[@wcknives]

Yep, got some estimates for that. Started at $17,000.00. LOL. Solar is a lot cheaper.

[@lenward474]

@@wcknives wow!!!they are reasonable here. 5 to 7 for a house,generac or Cummins.

[@wcknives]

@@lenward474 yep, the generator was that price but the the electrical contractors wanted $10k for their part. It was right after the hurricanes this summer so they were able to charge what they wanted. My shop does have a dual generator back up now so I’m good there. Looking at generlink.com as a option for the house now. Check it out. Very cost effective.

[@pattiwhite9575]

@@wcknives And portable!

[@joenow9599]

NO problem with ethanol, told to run mid grade gasoline in my husky saws and string trimmers.

[@lenward474]

It can be a long term surprise.

[@wcknives]

Yep, had to rebuild a couple carburetors and replace fuel lines in a couple small engines because of leaving gas in them several months.

[@jamesjackal1819]

@@lenward474 Yep

[@NYHalfassprepper]

Running an electric kettle is a waste of electricity. You can easily boil water with a camp stove, butane stove, or jet boil. A battery bank is better suited to run some lighting, charge electronic devices or provide power to a furnace.

[@wcknives]

LOL, yes I know. Second person to comment on this. Back up to the back up. Not the first choice for boiling water. But appreciate your comment.

[@pattiwhite9575]

I like the INDOOR option of the electric plate for boiling water or frying up a meal. After 5 days everyone was running out of butane.

[@wcknives]

@@pattiwhite9575 yea, I think it is a great option. Although it does use lots of wattage for a short period of time it is renewable electricity in some areas with a good solar panel system. Where gas may run out, and be difficult to get as it was here in Texas, or in the summer to hot to build a wood fire I think the battery pack option is a great option in the right circumstances.

[@cloinwalsh]

@@pattiwhite9575 a

[@larryfine9737]

@@pattiwhite9575 a butane burner is completely safe to run indoors, just like a propane or natural gas stove. Resistive heat loads like a hot plate destroy batteries. If you insist on using electricity than at least purchase an inductive style, your batteries will thank you.