DIY Power Sources

When it comes to doing it yourself, power alternatives are not as easy as some Do It Yourself tasks. With a little preparation however you may obtain some things such as solar cells, batteries, and generators that will help you to generate power in an awkward situation or survival circumstance. Solar cells are a great way to have energy though the amount they put off is limited and dependent upon good sunny days. By having an ample supply of solar panels combined with batteries you can not only generate power but store it as well. This is a natural resource that once you have the equipment will continually regenerate itself with minimum upkeep. It is a good idea always to have spare parts on hand and know what it takes to repair the equipment you are using. Generators are another great backup resource. Having more than one style generator gives you multiple options. You can get gas generators, solar generators, and propane generators as some basic suggestions.

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Also, by being ready ahead of time, there is a pretty basic old technology that has been applied to modern devices, and that is pretty amazing to this day still. That is windup technology. You can get emergency radios that are solar power and wind up power. These emergency radios also have flashlights and USB charging ports. This means that in an emergency situation or when you are without power you could charge basic items like a cell phone or listen to the radio to hear for emergency advice. Sometimes the simple, soothing sounds of music can help a bad situation become a little bit better. By preparing yourself for these potential outcomes and having items on hand, you can be ready to survive a situation where it is required for you to create and generate your own power.

 

Sorry tom but the voltage a fridge runs on is irrellevent to the power consumed!
With solar power and the like efficiency is the go! thick wiring and short as possible will reduce line loss's
Extra insulation around the fridge being careful not to impede its function will cut energy useage!
Led lighting and light coloured décor, walls ceiling etc!
My fridge has slabs 6cm thick Styrofoam packed on the sides and top leaving the front clear for access and the back clear for function I have cut energy consumption by 40%

 

Sorry again but wrong!
Solar yes, battery yes, 12vdc appliances lights etc WRONG!
Far far better to run an inverter and run mains voltage stuff!
1. Mains voltage stuff is cheap reliable and efficient and easy to aquire!
2. Mains voltage switchgear is easy cheap and available most everywhere and are rated in millions of operations
unlike dc switchgear!
3. line loss is so much less even if the inverter itself uses power!
4. years down the track when 12v gear fails you will not get replacements but mains gear will still be lying around!
5. Actual safety is far better with mains AC

I have recently installed a 1kw solar system on a huge RV
90l fridge $359 120w
80l freezer $359 120w
3500w/7000w inverter $320

as opposed to

70L 12v fridge/freezer $1,400 this fridge runs about 90watts but it wont freeze proper to minus 18c just to minus 2-4c! and that's without opening the door!

A single breakdown with the 12v fridge is big bucks to replace or $3-400 repairs and several weeks turnaround pre Apocalypse or bucklies post Apocalypse!

The mains power fridge still has a warrenty but is far cheaper to replace with most big stores having one in stock pre Apocalypse and they will mostly still be
in those stores post Apocalypse as they are useless to most with the grid down!

I have lived on both systems and the above is from experience!
Three weeks in the middle of summer without anything cold SUCKS! When repairs or replacements take that long!
Moved to a mains voltage inverter system and iyts just a single working day to go to town and buy a regular fridge!

My experience was 12v equals three weeks and inverter mains voltage equals one working day!
Post collapse or whatever three weeks might be forever!