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November 7, 2015
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Hi, All! Greetings from frigid North Texas, balmy 6 below this morning so the stories you may be reading are true. The snow is pretty but over a million homes have been without power for most of the last 24+ hours. My plumbing was an early casualty and the rolling blackouts eventually took the community well out. Most business in the nearby towns are closed due to no power. My kitchen is 37 degrees and my “warm room” is a balmy 47. Motel rooms going for $400-500/night.
Y’all keep them posts coming, not much else to do. Maybe I can find a plumber that will work for ammo. 
Mike
TXGunNut said
Motel rooms going for $400-500/night.
Texas doesn’t have an Attorney General to file charges for profiteering in an emergency? I believe most states have the power to do this if the Gov declares a state of emergency during a natural disaster.
November 7, 2015
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clarence said
TXGunNut said
Motel rooms going for $400-500/night.
Texas doesn’t have an Attorney General to file charges for profiteering in an emergency? I believe most states have the power to do this if the Gov declares a state of emergency during a natural disaster.
Yes, and there’s already been some saber-rattling. Gas stations that are open have increased their prices in some cases. I’m prepared but have read dozens of social media posts about where to get groceries, gas or propane. Just glad my iPad is working so I can catch up on reading posts here.
Mike
I think it’s coming to a point that back up generators are necessary in this country. Not all that expensive, except for the install. T/R
November 7, 2015
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TR said
I think it’s coming to a point that back up generators are necessary in this country. Not all that expensive, except for the install. T/R
I agree, I’m considering a PTO driven model that I can attach to my Kubota.
Mike
TXGunNut said
I agree, I’m considering a PTO driven model that I can attach to my Kubota.
Mike
Very smart idea, because getting the small gas powered ones started after they’ve sat idle for many months is always a challenge. When you need it during freezing temps, good luck. I gave up on one I have that hasn’t been run 12 hrs total, & bought one that runs on propane–much easier to get started. When disaster strikes, every store that sells any kind of generator is sold out 5 min after their doors opens.
TR said
Not all that expensive, except for the install. T/R
I just run a double ended power cable from the generator to the nearest wall outlet; crude, but works. Throw the main breaker first, of course.
Living in Ontario where snow , cold and power issues are the norm, $5000.00 for a standby gennie is cheap insurance. We got about 18″ last night and it’s been bitter cold here for the past few weeks. Winter is upon us. Not bad though when one considers up in Saskatchewan last week they hit a record low of 58 below zero. I feel for the folks in Texas , not being accustomed to that kind of weather nor prepared for it. I used to sell the little portables and I always supplied a can of quick start (ether) with them, that usually worked to get ’em goin’
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
Living in Wisconsin with ice storms and tornadoes power outages are common. The permanent LP outside units above 15 kilowatts are nice, go on automatic when power goes out, run everything, notify you on your cell, and when power restored shut off automatic. They cycle and do a ops check on there own. The problem is the cost, maybe $5000 plus another $5000 to install.
I spent my money on Winchesters so I have a 5k Honda on wheels plugged in the dryer outlet. I marked my breakers and switch things as needed. If you have a gasoline powered one use Aviation gas, it has a self life of 10 years. It does not go bad! T/R
November 7, 2015
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You’re right about Texans being unprepared, Harry. Our buildings aren’t designed or built for this weather. My buddy has a propane generator and a huge tank, wired into his house wiring so it can be fired up at a moment’s notice to power his whole house. I’ve used the smaller gas generators at a deer lease and my brother is running his in Houston to cook and keep warm. He’s gotten lots of use out of his thanks to hurricanes. I’m considering something like an RV plug coming through the wall to a big fourplex outlet. Not sure my little Kubota will run one big enough to run the whole house.
With all the temperature fluctuations I’ll probably need to pull everything out of the gun safes for a wipe down once things warm up. Most are in socks but I’ll feel better it they all get a little attention.
Mike
Mike,
I hope the weather gets better for you guys soon. I live in Western Pennsylvania and we get our share. My driveway was a sheet of ice this morning, luckily I have Calcium Chloride to melt it, and our road crews throw enough salt down to make it look like the bonneville salt flats. I haven’t had to use my portable generator so far this winter, but when we got the freezing rain last night, I thought it would surely bring some wires down.
Stay safe,
Al
tionesta1 said
road crews throw enough salt down to make it look like the bonneville salt flats.
Amateurs compared to the ones in NY who hold the national record for salt per mile. Why you don’t see many vehicles over 7 or 8 yrs old, except in junkyards. Provides steady work for construction companies replacing bridges & concrete, an added benefit.
November 7, 2015
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clarence said
tionesta1 said
road crews throw enough salt down to make it look like the bonneville salt flats.Amateurs compared to the ones in NY who hold the national record for salt per mile. Why you don’t see many vehicles over 7 or 8 yrs old, except in junkyards. Provides steady work for construction companies replacing bridges & concrete, an added benefit.
You should see the guardrails and road signs around here after a typical weekend. They’ll be plenty busy with the slick stuff coming tonight on top of the damage done over the last few days.
Mike
In Texas, what was the main issue with the wind mills not working? Was it just the cold or was it ice? In Wisconsin we have a number of wind mills but not as many as TX but haven’t heard any issues with ours and we have had plenty of cold.
I also second the use of aircraft fuel in your emergency generator. My first generator didn’t start the first time I lost power so I switched over to avgas and forget about it. Now I have a 17 kw on the house on a 500 gallon tank but I’m thinking of going to 1000 gallon because with the new green deal I think we will see more power outages if they rely on power that is not 24/7
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
November 7, 2015
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Windmill issue is cloudy, Bob. Lots of opposition for them locally, lots of misinformation. I’d rather not discuss it here but if you’ll read up about ERCOT you may find it interesting. All I’ll say is that I’m typing this by candle light.
Mike
Mike,
I saw a picture on the news and from what it looked like is snow and ice buildup is what shut them down.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I’ve wanted a generator for some time now but the wife thinks I’m crazy. We don’t have the freezing weather but our governor won’t allow new generation to be built so we often have rolling blackouts along with the ones caused by humans, fires and wind. Solar, wind and batteries are nothing but a farce. All of these put together are but a drop in the bucket compared to 1 generating station. These alternative measures are not totally environmental friendly either. Wind farms are ugly and many precious acres of land are used up and displace a lot of wildlife. Not to mention everything that is used to make these monsters. Solar has some of the same issues. Ever see a bird disintegrate when it fly’s through the convergence of these mirrors. Poof, it’s gone. Many thousands killed each year. Batteries are the worst. The mining of the precious metals to make these causes a lot of issues and the metals are not going to last for ever. Then you have the hazardous waste when it is time to dispose of the batteries.
I like the idea of the propane powered generators if you can afford them. Gas or diesel needs to be set up on a preventative maintenance plan. All major systems are required to do this just to make sure they will work when you need them.
I’ve never heard the Av gas idea. Normally we mix this with the shit gas we have.
Chuck, 100LL Av Gas is what they use in small piston powered planes. It does not have ethanol and has a 10 year self life. You can put it in a gallon can and let it sit for 10 years and use it. It will not gel, corrode, or plug a fuel systems, it evaporates clean. I use to buy 180,000 gallons a year for my planes, we also used it in small engines in pumps, mowers, ATV’s, boats, and chainsaws with no adverse effects. The fuel is leaded so spark plugs do not last as long and DO NOT USE IT IN ANYTHING WITH A CATALYTIC CONVERTER, the lead will plug it. It is available at any airport for about $5 a gallon. If your putting gas in something that you don’t use often it’s the ticket! If you then use the engine a lot just add car gas on top, the two are compatible.
November 7, 2015
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Good tip, TR.
My thinking on the PTO driven generator is that I already maintain that engine so it won’t add much to my maintenance chores. I know an electrician so the wiring part won’t be difficult. My Kubota is pretty small but it should run a generator pretty well. I think with the current situation a generator will almost be a necessity for me. Believe it or not, Chuck, solar and wind are very significant sources of power in Texas. Today solar and wind are not available and natural gas is freezing at the well and in pipes.
Almost glad I didn’t get to go hunting this year, not sure my freezer contents will survive this.
Mike
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