19 replies to this topic

[mab01uk]

Yesterdays events in Spain highlighted the vulnerability of modern energy grids going down and the major disruption to everyday life, whether failure is due to reliance on net-zero renewable energy, cyber attacks or a technical failure. This and other events, such as the recent Heathrow Airport power outage are putting a spotlight on critical infrastructures such as the electricity grid and how much we now rely on it now for almost everything. Many other essential services are of course also severely impacted, internet, mobile phone masts, telecommunications, transport, rail services and airports all closed. Chaos on the roads with traffic lights out of service, EV chargers and diesel/petrol pumps off. No banking, ATM's or card payment services also cause most shops to close, leaving only some small shops able to deal with those people who still have any real cash in their pocket....

Based on what we saw happening in Spain, Portugal and parts of Southern France yesterday after just one day of power outages, what if anything have you done to prepare for something similar happening and maybe for a longer period of time? This is what the UK government website advises for some very basic things to always be prepared with, like a battery powered radio, torches, etc.

Power Cuts:-
https://prepare.camp...rds/power-cuts/

Do any Mini Forum members maybe own or have advice/recommendations on small portable generators such as those sold by Machine Mart in UK for use as backup power during such an event? I guess there may be quite an increase in sales of them after yesterday!

Machine Mart Generators:-
https://www.machinem...k/c/generators/

 

 

[stuart bowes]

I'd probably avoid carrying on with any potentially dangerous work during a power cut purely because if there is any sort of incident you'll be joining a long list of people waiting for ambulance or fire engine, and if you do get yourself to hospital it would be carnage there as well

 

better off just putting tools down, lock up the garage and wait till it's fixed IMO (make sure it's all switched off at the wall for when power reinstated)

 

of course that's only from the perspective of a hobbyist not someone relying on the trade to feed their kids and so on

 

anyone else remember the various power cuts in the 80's it seemed like it was all the time back then (but probably only a few)

Edited by stuart bowes, Yesterday, 11:28 AM.

[Gaz66]

If it all goes badly wrong then this is my plan.

Gun shop first. If I survive that then the following will be attempted.
Van dealership ......
Minispares ......
MED........
Swiftune.......
KAD........
Aldi for some pre packed sarnies then a lock in at the Winchester and wait for it all to blow over. 👍😁😁😁😁😁

[stuart bowes]

I didn't even consider the looting and pillaging option, that's something to bear in mind   

[GT Jimmy]

I thought minispares already had a power outage it took them that long to ship my order

[Chris1275gt]

I think us oldies will be ok it will just feel like our early years. What are the poor under 40s going to do when there phones lose their charge that will warm my heart when it does, they might have to talk to each other directly!!!
When is it ever a good idea to put all your eggs in one basket.!!!

[PoolGuy]

Wouldn't it be great, a nice quiet day with no interruptions. And another good reason to have an ICE rather than an EV.

[Gaz66]

Wouldn't it be great, a nice quiet day with no interruptions. And another good reason to have an ICE rather than an EV.

I wonder how many EV's would get looted 😁

[panky]

God I'd have to talk to the wife

[PoolGuy]

 

Wouldn't it be great, a nice quiet day with no interruptions. And another good reason to have an ICE rather than an EV.

I wonder how many EV's would get looted

 

Not enough 

[MatthewsDad]

It's just like the 1970s. Power cuts, bin strikes, market turmoil. History doesn't repeat itself but it sure does rhyme.

[Gaz66]

It's just like the 1970s. Power cuts, bin strikes, market turmoil. History doesn't repeat itself but it sure does rhyme.

People were more civilised in the 70's
People just "got on with it"
I think a different tune will be played next/this time.

[Blumeanie]

Should be good for quite a while with power from solar panels and the EV battery for power at night. (I generate much more than we consume...)

Power outages were common where I am in the past... Things are much improved since those days.

If food becomes an issue - or if the issue is significant; I guess I could load my little sailboat and sail off to somewhere safer.

The way things are going in the world; perhaps a bigger sailboat would be advisable. (Then again, a bigger sailboat is always a great idea!  )

[mab01uk]

If food becomes an issue - or if the issue is significant; I guess I could load my little sailboat and sail off to somewhere safer.

The way things are going in the world; perhaps a bigger sailboat would be advisable. (Then again, a bigger sailboat is always a great idea!  )

 

A 'Noah's Ark Mk2' maybe? 

Edited by mab01uk, Yesterday, 07:21 PM.

[Blumeanie]

 

If food becomes an issue - or if the issue is significant; I guess I could load my little sailboat and sail off to somewhere safer.

The way things are going in the world; perhaps a bigger sailboat would be advisable. (Then again, a bigger sailboat is always a great idea!  )

 

A 'Noah's Ark Mk2' maybe? 

 

 

 

Right!

- I was just thinking that I'd need a boat big enough to load the mini onto (Although an attractive image, this may prove to be a challenge...**) 

... Otherwise I am not leaving!

 

** If I could have a sailboat big enough to carry the mini in a nice garage, I would not be at all worried. In fact, I would have sailed away long ago!