National Grid post - Pragmatic or portentous?
Discussion
What's prompted this from National Grid?
Are they helping us "be prepared" or "become preppers/paranoid"?
It's sensible to have a plan B but when the landline telephone system has been replaced by VOIP how resilient will cellular telephones be?
No mention of heating when the heat pump can't or the myriad other appliances powered by electricity.
Are they helping us "be prepared" or "become preppers/paranoid"?
It's sensible to have a plan B but when the landline telephone system has been replaced by VOIP how resilient will cellular telephones be?
No mention of heating when the heat pump can't or the myriad other appliances powered by electricity.
I’ve been thinking about solar PV for years but recently I’m REALLY thinking about getting it fitted, together with a 10kwh battery for back up. When the national grid is suggesting batteries are a good idea…
I could use the back up power to run loads of desk fans in the garden during a power cut to stimulate the windmills.
I could use the back up power to run loads of desk fans in the garden during a power cut to stimulate the windmills.
andy43 said:
I ve been thinking about solar PV for years but recently I m REALLY thinking about getting it fitted, together with a 10kwh battery for back up. When the national grid is suggesting batteries are a good idea
I could use the back up power to run loads of desk fans in the garden during a power cut to stimulate the windmills.
That’s a bit old hat, unless the windmills are at the end of your garden, you should power up a swarm of drones and then fly them to the windmills so they can directly stimulate their movement and avoid power losses.I could use the back up power to run loads of desk fans in the garden during a power cut to stimulate the windmills.
Had an unexpected power cut here yesterday evening between about 6pm and 10:30pm
First thing I thought was I should keep my power banks charged. But you just don't, because they are such rare events. When I was a kid (80's/90's) they used to happen fairly frequently. Always had lots of candles. It was probably quite fun, playing a game by candlelight.
But last night it was really boring! Luckily my head torch was fully charged. I only had four scented candles that were completely inadequate. Oh and the Switch was fully charged so I wandered about on TOTK for a while (but I wasn't up for playing it, so quickly got bored) I'd wanted to do some DIY bits. Was worried about the fridge/freezer etc. but there was a trickle of power so could actually charge phones and think the appliances kept ticking over. Also because WiFi was down it was a proper PITA using mobile data to try to get an update on the grid. Slow as hell round here.
So yes, it did make me think I was pretty unprepared. But if I charged those banks they'd probably be dead by the time I needed them anyway. So you'd have to keep checking them. Just for the rare chance I need them, unless of course, as the OP says, more of these are expected.
First thing I thought was I should keep my power banks charged. But you just don't, because they are such rare events. When I was a kid (80's/90's) they used to happen fairly frequently. Always had lots of candles. It was probably quite fun, playing a game by candlelight.
But last night it was really boring! Luckily my head torch was fully charged. I only had four scented candles that were completely inadequate. Oh and the Switch was fully charged so I wandered about on TOTK for a while (but I wasn't up for playing it, so quickly got bored) I'd wanted to do some DIY bits. Was worried about the fridge/freezer etc. but there was a trickle of power so could actually charge phones and think the appliances kept ticking over. Also because WiFi was down it was a proper PITA using mobile data to try to get an update on the grid. Slow as hell round here.
So yes, it did make me think I was pretty unprepared. But if I charged those banks they'd probably be dead by the time I needed them anyway. So you'd have to keep checking them. Just for the rare chance I need them, unless of course, as the OP says, more of these are expected.
MCBrowncoat said:
Had an unexpected power cut here yesterday evening between about 6pm and 10:30pm
First thing I thought was I should keep my power banks charged. But you just don't, because they are such rare events. When I was a kid (80's/90's) they used to happen fairly frequently. Always had lots of candles. It was probably quite fun, playing a game by candlelight.
But last night it was really boring! Luckily my head torch was fully charged. I only had four scented candles that were completely inadequate. Oh and the Switch was fully charged so I wandered about on TOTK for a while (but I wasn't up for playing it, so quickly got bored) I'd wanted to do some DIY bits. Was worried about the fridge/freezer etc. but there was a trickle of power so could actually charge phones and think the appliances kept ticking over. Also because WiFi was down it was a proper PITA using mobile data to try to get an update on the grid. Slow as hell round here.
So yes, it did make me think I was pretty unprepared. But if I charged those banks they'd probably be dead by the time I needed them anyway. So you'd have to keep checking them. Just for the rare chance I need them, unless of course, as the OP says, more of these are expected.
This is my thought too, out of interest how long do those combined jump starter/tyre inflator/power bank jobless hold power when unused?First thing I thought was I should keep my power banks charged. But you just don't, because they are such rare events. When I was a kid (80's/90's) they used to happen fairly frequently. Always had lots of candles. It was probably quite fun, playing a game by candlelight.
But last night it was really boring! Luckily my head torch was fully charged. I only had four scented candles that were completely inadequate. Oh and the Switch was fully charged so I wandered about on TOTK for a while (but I wasn't up for playing it, so quickly got bored) I'd wanted to do some DIY bits. Was worried about the fridge/freezer etc. but there was a trickle of power so could actually charge phones and think the appliances kept ticking over. Also because WiFi was down it was a proper PITA using mobile data to try to get an update on the grid. Slow as hell round here.
So yes, it did make me think I was pretty unprepared. But if I charged those banks they'd probably be dead by the time I needed them anyway. So you'd have to keep checking them. Just for the rare chance I need them, unless of course, as the OP says, more of these are expected.
WH16 said:
What amazes me is how un-prepared some people are.
Exactly thisWe have a couple of power banks in the drawer, always recharged after use.
Failing that (or a long power cut) I have wired a cigarette lighter in the car to be permanently live - either to charge power banks or a phone
Add in using a laptop to charge things
These messages whilst they mean well, surely the money could be better spent improving other things
Huzzah said:
This is my thought too, out of interest how long do those combined jump starter/tyre inflator/power bank jobless hold power when unused?
If you have the budget something like an Ecoflow Delta would be a perfect solution for most people. Can run virtually an mains appliance that runs off a 13A socket. Would keep your fridge / freezer going for a day at least. Power wifi, charge devices etc. They use LFP batteries so they are very robust and will withstand deep power cycles for many many cycles (several thousand cycles).
In "storage" at c.50% charge they will last years and years - although a 50-20-80-50% power cycle from time to time helps keep the battery in good condition with a full charge every 6 months or so to balance the cells.
My MO would be to keep it at 50% and then if there is a storm warning charge it up to fully charged. Once every 2-3 months a full charge and then full power cycle to keep things healthy and then a recharge to 50%.
WH16 said:
What amazes me is how un-prepared some people are.
Pretty much this.I'm certainly not a "prepper" or anything vaguely of that mindset but when you look how cheap power banks are and that includes some of the entry level "3 pin plug" ones and you also think how dependent most people are on their mobile phones or the Internet or TV or radio to get information and it makes sense to try to ensure you're doing all you can sensible do to retain access.
John D. said:
Arrivalist said:
We had a 60/90 minute power cut on Friday night due to a tree falling on the power lines nearby. 3000 homes out.
Many were using their mobile phones as torches and the consensus was that power banks were a good idea to have in such a situation.
I've got a torch. Many were using their mobile phones as torches and the consensus was that power banks were a good idea to have in such a situation.
gotoPzero said:
Huzzah said:
This is my thought too, out of interest how long do those combined jump starter/tyre inflator/power bank jobless hold power when unused?
If you have the budget something like an Ecoflow Delta would be a perfect solution for most people. Can run virtually an mains appliance that runs off a 13A socket. Would keep your fridge / freezer going for a day at least. Power wifi, charge devices etc. They use LFP batteries so they are very robust and will withstand deep power cycles for many many cycles (several thousand cycles).
In "storage" at c.50% charge they will last years and years - although a 50-20-80-50% power cycle from time to time helps keep the battery in good condition with a full charge every 6 months or so to balance the cells.
My MO would be to keep it at 50% and then if there is a storm warning charge it up to fully charged. Once every 2-3 months a full charge and then full power cycle to keep things healthy and then a recharge to 50%.
andy43 said:
I ve been thinking about solar PV for years but recently I m REALLY thinking about getting it fitted, together with a 10kwh battery for back up. When the national grid is suggesting batteries are a good idea
I think you have to do more stuff to get them to work as a back up - as standard they need mains power to be available.borcy said:
Huzzah said:
This is my thought too, out of interest how long do those combined jump starter/tyre inflator/power bank jobless hold power when unused?
Weeks/months probably. We've got one that'll chrage 4 or 5 phones from 0%. It was left weeks and still had 99% showing.
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