Author Topic: How to -- SHTF emergency power  (Read 25312 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

WA4STO

  • Whatcha Gonna do when they come for you?
  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 46
  • Karma: 12
    • WA4STO on QRZ
How to -- SHTF emergency power
« on: February 15, 2012, 12:28:10 PM »
I noticed an interesting article today about the electrical grid in this country going down when SHTF.

http://www.shtfplan.com/emergency-preparedness/when-the-grid-goes-down-you-better-be-ready_02142012

Which immediately brought to mind the question of whether we put enough thought (and action!) into prepping for SHTF grid-down scenarios.  Here's my how-to.

In my case, I've been on emergency power since the 70s.  Back then, I didn't have the moolah to purchase a decent power supply for my 12 - volt - only Ten Tec Omni A.  So I bought a battery.  Thus, my ONLY power was emergency power.

Today, I power my radios with both a 115v switching power supply, and a much enlarged battery bank.  Just in case.



In the middle of the left photo, you can see the 115v power supply.  Above it, the 'rig runner' which provides fused Anderson Power Pole connectors.  With the exception of the banana plugs in that same picture, I use the powerpole connectors for almost everything.  They've become the 'industry' (is that what we are now, an industry?) standard.  Also -- and more pertinent to my own klutzy self -- they pretty much forbid me from getting high current polarities mixed up, and thus producing either sparks or smoke.  Or both.

On the right is the 'emergency' part of my emergency communications capability.  Those four batteries, at 200 bucks a pop, were almost as expensive as my HF rig.  Argh!  Plus, now I can power the computers, monitors and bunker/compound lighting as well. 

Since you won't be seeing any microphones in my shack, which implies that I will be doing either CW or digital modes, I can turn the power output of my rigs down to just a few watts.  Anybody here know why that is?

Best 73 de "Luck", WA4STO
in Wilber, Nebraska


« Last Edit: February 19, 2012, 11:21:04 AM by WA4STO »

idial1911

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1164
  • Karma: 67
  • Gender: Male
  • Extra Class and VE
Re: Does your Amateur Radio prepping include emergency power?
« Reply #1 on: February 15, 2012, 12:40:30 PM »
What batteries are those?

What are you using to charge them? Is there a controller? Charger? Solar?
The more I learn, the less I know.

scubadivingjoe

  • Prepper
  • Sr. Member
  • *
  • Posts: 531
  • Karma: 11
Re: Does your Amateur Radio prepping include emergency power?
« Reply #2 on: February 15, 2012, 12:54:09 PM »
Looks Good.  When I set up my home system, it will have  a battery back up system.  As for your question, Sorry to new to answer.

WA4STO

  • Whatcha Gonna do when they come for you?
  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 46
  • Karma: 12
    • WA4STO on QRZ
Re: Does your Amateur Radio prepping include emergency power?
« Reply #3 on: February 15, 2012, 01:55:02 PM »
What batteries are those?

What are you using to charge them? Is there a controller? Charger? Solar?

These are Optima deep cycle batteries.  Specifically, the D31 with 900 cold cranking amps -- each.

I had one previously.  Bought it in 1999.  It sold with my motorhome in 2011 -- still functioning perfectly. I just love 'em.


http://www.amazon.com/Optima-Batteries-8052-161-BlueTop-Purpose/dp/B00099DW6G/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1329335415&sr=8-9

WA4STO

  • Whatcha Gonna do when they come for you?
  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 46
  • Karma: 12
    • WA4STO on QRZ
Re: Does your Amateur Radio prepping include emergency power?
« Reply #4 on: February 15, 2012, 02:04:00 PM »


What are you using to charge them? Is there a controller? Charger? Solar?

During 'normal' times, I charge them occasionally (they hold their oomph amazingly well...) with an intelligent Schumaker battery charger.



http://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-SC-10030A-SpeedCharge-Automatic-Maintainer/dp/B001MYWBF0/ref=sr_1_12?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1329336042&sr=1-12

During SHTF or power outages of any sort, I've got a 3500 watt generator.

In each case, although there isn't 'formally' a controller, there actually is one, in that the Schumaker only cranks out about 30 amps. 

The thing about the battery charger is that it's 'aware' of these Optima batteries (AGM) so it can successfully (and fully) charge regular car batteries as well as the fancier new styles. 

73 de "Luck", WA4STO in Wilber, NE
Ex-KY1T from Newington CT

GDP

  • Global Moderator
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 205
  • Karma: 10
  • Extra Class
Re: Does your Amateur Radio prepping include emergency power?
« Reply #5 on: February 15, 2012, 02:24:04 PM »
All the radios in my shack are operated on a solar power system exclusively.
GDP

asatrur

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 81
  • Karma: 8
  • Gender: Male
  • KD0***
Re: Does your Amateur Radio prepping include emergency power?
« Reply #6 on: February 15, 2012, 02:28:46 PM »
Once I find my dual-band mobile unit and get it running, my next step is backup solar power for my rigs.
Extra Class Ham Radio license
One is none and two is one!

Fat Clyde

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 93
  • Karma: 5
Re: Does your Amateur Radio prepping include emergency power?
« Reply #7 on: February 15, 2012, 07:03:44 PM »
http://www.tractorsupply.com/15-watt-solar-12v-battery-charger-kit-with-7-amp-charge-controller-8500020 I'd considered this with deep cycle marine batteries. Not sure what kind of talk/receive time I'd get out of it.

GDP

  • Global Moderator
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 205
  • Karma: 10
  • Extra Class
Re: Does your Amateur Radio prepping include emergency power?
« Reply #8 on: February 15, 2012, 07:52:03 PM »
http://www.tractorsupply.com/15-watt-solar-12v-battery-charger-kit-with-7-amp-charge-controller-8500020 I'd considered this with deep cycle marine batteries. Not sure what kind of talk/receive time I'd get out of it.

You would probably get a few hours of listen/talk from a full charge in the batteries.  However, with that size solar panel, it would take a loooooooooooong time to recharge the batteries.  For every minute you transmitted at 100 watts, it would take over six minutes of maximum sunlight to replace the energy, and that's not including any losses.  In the real world, you can't "neglect friction" as many physics problems instruct.   ;)
GDP

KF7QGM

  • Noob
  • New Site Member
  • *
  • Posts: 21
  • Karma: 5
  • Gender: Male
Re: Does your Amateur Radio prepping include emergency power?
« Reply #9 on: February 18, 2012, 08:51:20 AM »
Every ham radio I have is powered with 12v, I have 3 deep cycle batteries and a solar charger.

Fat Clyde

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 93
  • Karma: 5
Re: Does your Amateur Radio prepping include emergency power?
« Reply #10 on: February 18, 2012, 08:54:43 AM »
What solar charger you using?

KF7QGM

  • Noob
  • New Site Member
  • *
  • Posts: 21
  • Karma: 5
  • Gender: Male
Re: Does your Amateur Radio prepping include emergency power?
« Reply #11 on: February 18, 2012, 08:27:03 PM »
The one at harbor freight that comes in a kit for $200 or so, it sometimes goes on sale for $160-150ish and then toss in one of their coupons for 30% off and you are golden.

AD

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1991
  • Karma: 223
  • Gender: Male
  • Extra Class Ham Radio Op / VE, CERT
Re: Does your Amateur Radio prepping include emergency power?
« Reply #12 on: February 18, 2012, 08:33:45 PM »
That one does not have a charge controler correct?
The only dumb question is the one that did not get asked!!

KF7QGM

  • Noob
  • New Site Member
  • *
  • Posts: 21
  • Karma: 5
  • Gender: Male
Re: Does your Amateur Radio prepping include emergency power?
« Reply #13 on: February 18, 2012, 10:54:53 PM »
Yep, charge controller is included.

AD

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1991
  • Karma: 223
  • Gender: Male
  • Extra Class Ham Radio Op / VE, CERT
Re: Does your Amateur Radio prepping include emergency power?
« Reply #14 on: February 18, 2012, 11:11:30 PM »
Good to know. How long have you had it?
The only dumb question is the one that did not get asked!!