ATOT - are you prepared for the apocalypse? (or a disaster?)

[UsandThem]

I'll just form a club, buy a metal mask (and plenty of leather), and take people's stuff. 😛

 

[ponyo]

So for those of you with a food stash - what kind of food are you stashing?

I probably have more than 800 lbs of rice, 400 lbs of frozen beef, pork, chicken, pantry and spare dining room full of canned soups, vegetables, tons of dried pasta, veggies, and fruits, boxes of instant ramen, etc. Four full size fridges all filled complete with foods.

 

[BoomerD]

I probably have more than 800 lbs of rice, 400 lbs of frozen beef, pork, chicken, pantry and spare dining room full of canned soups, vegetables, tons of dried pasta, veggies, and fruits, boxes of instant ramen, etc. Four full size fridges all filled complete with foods.

How long do you think that stuff is gonna stay frozen if the power grid goes down?

 

[lxskllr]

He could make jerky.

 

[ponyo]

How long do you think that stuff is gonna stay frozen if the power grid goes down?

Couple days probably. But I plan to get Tesla Solarglass roof and Powerwall batteries for my house ASAP. I already ordered and just waiting on Tesla to start installing solar in Georgia. But that could be awhile since Tesla doesn't know when they will start installing solar in Georgia. Hopefully this year. Then I won't need to worry about loss of power ever again.

But I do have access to some gas generators at my office storage. I could easily use those to power my 4 fridges if I really needed it. Plus, I have like dozen charcoal smokers and grills I could use to cook the meat or make jerky out of it.

 

[Red Squirrel]

The Tesla stuff is crazy expensive and I think it relies on the internet. I would just setup a traditional solar system, you get a bigger system for the same money and it's less proprietary so you can easily fix it and work on it yourself.

There are companies like Battle Born that make lithium batteries that basically act as drop in replacement for lead acid too. Those are probably a good bet as they are suppose to last longer than lead acid, though they do cost quite a lot more. Me personally I think I would do Surrette lead acid batteries though as it's still way cheaper and they will still last a long time if treated well. I would greatly oversize the battery bank so that I'm never going below like 60% DOD.

 

[ponyo]

The Tesla stuff is crazy expensive and I think it relies on the internet. I would just setup a traditional solar system, you get a bigger system for the same money and it's less proprietary so you can easily fix it and work on it yourself.

There are companies like Battle Born that make lithium batteries that basically act as drop in replacement for lead acid too. Those are probably a good bet as they are suppose to last longer than lead acid, though they do cost quite a lot more. Me personally I think I would do Surrette lead acid batteries though as it's still way cheaper and they will still last a long time if treated well. I would greatly oversize the battery bank so that I'm never going below like 60% DOD.

Tesla Solarglass is not regular solar panels. It's Tesla developed solar roof product that looks just like regular house shingles. It doesn't go on top of your roof like solar panels but rather totally replaces your roof. So instead of regular roof shingles on your house with solar panels sitting on top of the shingles, you'll have Tesla Solarglass roof on your house. Tesla developed this proprietary technology and product so you can only get this from Tesla. It's pretty pricey because it's new technology and premium product designed to compete with other premium roofs like slate, cedar, and metal roofs. And as far as Tesla Powerwall, it's priced very competitive and best in the industry. Plus Tesla solar and Powerwalls work seamlessly together and Tesla integration and app are the best. Plus I know Tesla will be around to service any problem in the future. I can't say that or trust any other solar company to be around in the future. You get what you pay for and if I'm going to invest in something expensive, I'm going to trust and invest in Tesla system.

https://www.tesla.com/solarglass/design

Here's link for Tesla Solarglass in case you're not familiar or don't know what it looks like.

 

[zinfamous]

my strategy is to survive at ponyo's house.

 

[ponyo]

my strategy is to survive at ponyo's house.

You're always welcomed my friend.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Yeah I know about that, I would still prefer standard panels. If you get a wiring or other issue you don't want to be messing with what is suppose to protect your roof from the elements, it's best to keep the two things separate. Wiring those up seems like it would be a nightmare too and I'm not even sure how they are wired they don't seem to explain that. Do they interconnect somehow or do you need to wire them from the attic? If you are already replacing the roof or live in a HOA where solar is not allowed then it makes a bit more sense though but I personally prefer a more traditional asphalt or tin roof myself then put up some unistrut with regular panels. Only thing I found that could be tricky when I did mine is stud finders don't work through shingles so it makes the mounts harder to install on a roof that does not have easy attic access. In my case I had easy access as it was just for my shed so I just drilled anywhere and then put some 2x4s so the lag bolts can go through.

This goes over the install a bit:

Just a small system mind you.

 

[ponyo]

Yeah I know about that, I would still prefer standard panels. If you get a wiring or other issue you don't want to be messing with what is suppose to protect your roof from the elements, it's best to keep the two things separate. Wiring those up seems like it would be a nightmare too and I'm not even sure how they are wired they don't seem to explain that. Do they interconnect somehow or do you need to wire them from the attic? If you are already replacing the roof or live in a HOA where solar is not allowed then it makes a bit more sense though but I personally prefer a more traditional asphalt or tin roof myself then put up some unistrut with regular panels. Only thing I found that could be tricky when I did mine is stud finders don't work through shingles so it makes the mounts harder to install on a roof that does not have easy attic access. In my case I had easy access as it was just for my shed so I just drilled anywhere and then put some 2x4s so the lag bolts can go through.

This goes over the install a bit:

Just a small system mind you.

My house needs a new roof so the cost isn't that much more than installing new shingle roof and solar panels. Plus I rather have direct integrated system on the roof rather than separate roof and solar panels. Any time you make roof penetrations to install things on top of the existing roof, you're at increased risk for water leaks into your house in the future. No thanks. Caulking doesn't last 25 years on the roof. I want the fewest penetrations on the roof as possible to minimize any potential leaks. Plus Tesla Solarglass is way stronger than standard roof asphalt tiles and will protect me from any hail damage. Stuff that can ruin asphalt shingle roof. Like I said, you get what you pay for.

 

[lxskllr]

I hadn't heard about Tesla's roof. I read about solar shingles ages ago, and was wondering what happened to that concept. I think it's a great idea.

 

[highland145]

I hadn't heard about Tesla's roof. I read about solar shingles ages ago, and was wondering what happened to that concept. I think it's a great idea.

Yeah but what's the $$.

 

[lxskllr]

I'm sure it's a fortune, but prices should come down over time. I'd liken it to central air. At one time, only the rich could have it. Most people used fans, and the better off middle class got window units. Now central air is a standard feature, and even the poor can get a window unit.

edit:
In this case, the poor will eventually have the ghetto panels on their roofs. It works, it'll be cheap, but kinda ghetto. Everyone else will have solar roofs.

 

[highland145]

I'm sure it's a fortune, but prices should come down over time. I'd liken it to central air. At one time, only the rich could have it. Most people used fans, and the better off middle class got window units. Now central air is a standard feature, and even the poor can get a window unit.

edit:
In this case, the poor will eventually have the ghetto panels on their roofs. It works, it'll be cheap, but kinda ghetto. Everyone else will have solar roofs.

Too bad our $$ was dropped on Solyndra and picked up by China for pennies.

I really like the idea of solar over most everything other than wave.

HVAC is still expensive. Had to have 2 units and all new duct last year...$17K in podunk S.C. Checked the# with a guy I trust and he said it might be a little high but they spent 2 weeks at my house. I can't roll over in the crawl space unless I'm between the joist. John Wayne would have given up on killing if he had to bury them under mine.

 

[lxskllr]

Too bad our $$ was dropped on Solyndra and picked up by China for pennies.

I really like the idea of solar over most everything other than wave.

HVAC is still expensive. Had to have 2 units and all new duct last year...$17K in podunk S.C. Checked the# with a guy I trust and he said it might be a little high but they spent 2 weeks at my house. I can't roll over in the crawl space unless I'm between the joist. John Wayne would have given up on killing if he had to bury them under mine.

Yea, solar is cool. The sun throws virtually unlimited energy at the planet. All we have to do is harness it. It'll come in time.

Was your HVAC a brand new install, or replacement? If replacement, what happened to your duct work?

 

[highland145]

Yea, solar is cool. The sun throws virtually unlimited energy at the planet. All we have to do is harness it. It'll come in time.

Was your HVAC a brand new install, or replacement? If replacement, what happened to your duct work?

Replacement and more. The old hard pipe was...30/40 years old??? 1400 sqft. We closed in the attic for another 500sqft. I guess and now agree that 1 unit isn't really supposed to take care of both floors. So the 8y.o. shit-tastic unit that was trying to handle both floors died. Everything was replaced and, to my untrained eye, looks good. The ducts are wrapped/taped and have mastic. Under the house, they "mostly" cleaned up after themselves and they did put down vapor barrier where the old duct ran.

The new "eff me" came in April when the downstairs unit wasn't cooling. 2 months in and again in Sept/2019. Might be the controller for the blower, replaced...then might be the whole circuit board, replaced...

Eff me next July when it's out of warranty. Carrier.



Sept pic.

 

[lxskllr]

I'd be pretty irritated having that much trouble with a new system :^/

 

[highland145]

I'd be pretty irritated having that much trouble with a new system :^/

True but I can't shoot the repair guy. The 1st trip out, he said, "Yeah, these blower controllers suck and every other carrier has ditched them." Awesome.

Just had to deal with 8 year of the last one. 1st week, ran out of freon. Year after year, having it "fixed." The new installers sent me a video of what the problem was. Friday Unit. It was huge so they took it apart to get it out and...one of the case screws was in a coolant line. Nordyne can suck my wanker.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Sounds like a pita. Carrier is not that great either. They used to be good, but they went downhill.

One of our new rooftop units at work had a weird issue about a year ago, the blower fan went out of balance and it was pulsating the whole building. It was gradual enough that it took a while to notice. In the DMS100 room you could feel it more as it was on that roof, but it's so noisy in there in general that it kinda just blended in, but something did feel different, it was hard to explain, I thought it was just me so never brought it up, and I don't go up there often. Long story short it was at a point that it was vibrating stuff in our office area too, and one person said they could even feel it down the street. So they shut it off and reverted to 8 temporary portable units. (the big ones) it was quite something seeing all that tubing in the room, it was like a scene from ET lol.

But anyway carrier just kept giving the hvac guys the run around on parts and it took like almost a year to get it fixed. The whole project ended up costing 100's of thousands of dollars. Would have been cheaper to just replace both units. (the backup one was not working either)

 

[highland145]

OT but not really. Posted this in H&G, I think. Plumber Bro bought, his cost, a Delta $400 faucet for a customer. Shit innards, plastic, coated aluminum to look like brass, etc...junk. His perfectionist feels are hurt. Says that he can't even buy top shelf anymore because it doesn't exist.

 

[ponyo]

I'm sure it's a fortune, but prices should come down over time. I'd liken it to central air. At one time, only the rich could have it. Most people used fans, and the better off middle class got window units. Now central air is a standard feature, and even the poor can get a window unit.

edit:
In this case, the poor will eventually have the ghetto panels on their roofs. It works, it'll be cheap, but kinda ghetto. Everyone else will have solar roofs.

I agree 100%. I think in about 20 years, the idea of having dumb roof is going to seem silly. Pretty much all new homes will be built with solar roof and people with existing dumb roofs will upgrade to solar when it's time to replace the roof. Elon Musk has said this Version 3 Solarglass roof is really like Windows 3.1. It's the first version of the solarglass roof product he's happy with but he said it's only going to get better and cheaper with time. I'm total Tesla fanboy so I have to get the Solarglass roof and Powerwalls. I really believe in Tesla and their mission and want to support them anyway I can. Tesla is American company making innovative solar products manufactured at its Buffalo, NY, Gigafactory 2. American made solar product by American workers. Contrast this with pretty much all other solar panels which are made in China. So this is another reason I only want to get Tesla Solarglass roof. Help support Tesla and America at the same time while getting superior industry leading product. That's win-win in my book.

 

[Red Squirrel]

OT but not really. Posted this in H&G, I think. Plumber Bro bought, his cost, a Delta $400 faucet for a customer. Shit innards, plastic, coated aluminum to look like brass, etc...junk. His perfectionist feels are hurt. Says that he can't even buy top shelf anymore because it doesn't exist.

Yeah it really sucks that they just don't make quality stuff anymore. They just charge more for stuff that is made to look like it's quality.

 

[highland145]

Yeah it really sucks that they just don't make quality stuff anymore. They just charge more for stuff that is made to look like it's quality.

This for sure. When a guy like my Bro can't get quality, we all are screwed. I have sat in where he called a product manufacturer, got their engineer on the line and they say a product doesn't "work that way." Challenges them, they actually go get one and ..oh, shit, it is fucked up.

Yes, my Bro is special. 135 IQ special kind of guy with his 10th grade education. He still is an asshole though.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Couple days probably. But I plan to get Tesla Solarglass roof and Powerwall batteries for my house ASAP. I already ordered and just waiting on Tesla to start installing solar in Georgia. But that could be awhile since Tesla doesn't know when they will start installing solar in Georgia. Hopefully this year. Then I won't need to worry about loss of power ever again.

But I do have access to some gas generators at my office storage. I could easily use those to power my 4 fridges if I really needed it. Plus, I have like dozen charcoal smokers and grills I could use to cook the meat or make jerky out of it.

Living in Georgia nullifies any preparations you might make. The hills are alive.