On 6/29/2010 9:51 PM, Janet Wilder wrote:

> Our house is certified in Austin to withstand 250 mph winds. We have a
> safe room, too. The problem is the power. A generator won't work for the
> bi-pap machine in the bedroom. You have to set it up in the garage with
> the door up so the fumes will have a place to go. Lots of people have
> died in their campers because the generators have not been properly
> exhausted. If we put on within reach of the bi-pap machine the cord
> would be enormously long.

http://www.cpapwholesale.com/respironics-BatteryKit.htm Most
CPAP/BiPap manufacturers have some sort of battery pack available.

George L

Goomba wrote:
>
> Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>
> > Meals Refusing to Exit.
> >
> > Pretty much describes their limitations as a staple food source.
> >
> > Also, they average 1250 calories apiece, if http://www.mreinfo.com
> > is accurate. Quite a bit for a single meal.
> >
> > Cindy Hamilton
>
> Have you ever eaten an MRE? They're really more than a single meal. More
> like a full meal and a heavy snack. So don't eat it all at once. Yes,
> they're pretty calorie dense, but they're not intended to be otherwise.
> In an emergency situation one could do a LOT worse.

Remember that MREs are intended to support an adult male under
conditions of heavy physical activity, not an elderly female under
sedentary conditions. Any yes, they are intended to provide between meal
snacks as well as the main meal. The current generation of MREs are
quite good and there are a good variety of menus. They are of course a
bit on the expensive side, but a few MREs and a few bottles of water in
your vehicle emergency kit are a great thing to have if you're stranded
somewhere.

J. Clarke wrote:
> On 6/29/2010 10:51 PM, Janet Wilder wrote:
>> George Shirley wrote:

>> Our house is certified in Austin to withstand 250 mph winds. We have a
>> safe room, too. The problem is the power. A generator won't work for the
>> bi-pap machine in the bedroom. You have to set it up in the garage with
>> the door up so the fumes will have a place to go. Lots of people have
>> died in their campers because the generators have not been properly
>> exhausted. If we put on within reach of the bi-pap machine the cord
>> would be enormously long.
>
> How long? 100 foot 16 gage cords are 15 bucks at Home Depot. While
> cords that light and that long won't do for anything that requires a lot
> of power, should be fine for a bi-pap.

It would be a lot more than 100 feet.
>
> Also check the machine for an aux power input--mine has a 24 volt input
> that will run it for 24 hours or so on a couple of big car batteries.

His machine does not have one so we'd have to use an inverter. I already
looked into a battery bank. They still need ventilation. Our bedroom
windows are where the wind blows when there is a hurricane, so any
opening of the windows would allow rain and wind into the house.

>> We can't put it near the bedroom as the
>> exhaust would come in the window where the cord would have to pass
>> through. Plus the genset would be exposed to the weather outside.
>
> Open a window somewhere else in the house and put a fan blowing out in
> the one that the cord comes through. Not that that much exhaust is
> likely to come through a half inch open window.

....but rain and wind will
> And remember that the bad weather in a hurricane lasts a relatively
> short time.
>
>> I went through this whole problem a couple of years ago with the local
>> co-op we get our power from. Our only viable alternative would be to
>> bury a propane tank (no natural gas line) for gas and put in an
>> emergency genset. That would cost upwards of $15,000.
>
> Check Home Depot--a friend of mine was quoted something like that for a
> backup generator and it turned out that they could do it a lot cheaper.
> He's only had it three years but so far it works fine.


We don't have a natural gas line anywhere near our home. The alternative
would be to bury a propane tank. That's expensive!

So far they have removed the hurricane warning. Right now there is a
tornado warning. We are ready to move if we have to.


--
Janet Wilder
Way-the-heck-south Texas
Spelling doesn't count. Cooking does.

George Leppla wrote:
> On 6/29/2010 9:51 PM, Janet Wilder wrote:
>
>> Our house is certified in Austin to withstand 250 mph winds. We have a
>> safe room, too. The problem is the power. A generator won't work for the
>> bi-pap machine in the bedroom. You have to set it up in the garage with
>> the door up so the fumes will have a place to go. Lots of people have
>> died in their campers because the generators have not been properly
>> exhausted. If we put on within reach of the bi-pap machine the cord
>> would be enormously long.
>
> http://www.cpapwholesale.com/respironics-BatteryKit.htm Most
> CPAP/BiPap manufacturers have some sort of battery pack available.
>
> George L

His doesn't have that feature. We already checked on it.

--
Janet Wilder
Way-the-heck-south Texas
Spelling doesn't count. Cooking does.

On Jun 30, 11:08*am, "Pete C." > wrote:
> Goomba wrote:
>
> > Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>
> > > Meals Refusing to Exit.
>
> > > Pretty much describes their limitations as a staple food source.
>
> > > Also, they average 1250 calories apiece, ifhttp://www.mreinfo.com
> > > is accurate. *Quite a bit for a single meal.
>
> > > Cindy Hamilton
>
> > Have you ever eaten an MRE? They're really more than a single meal. More
> > like a full meal and a heavy snack. So don't eat it all at once. Yes,
> > they're pretty calorie dense, but they're not intended to be otherwise.
> > In an emergency situation one could do a LOT worse.
>
> Remember that MREs are intended to support an adult male under
> conditions of heavy physical activity, not an elderly female under
> sedentary conditions. Any yes, they are intended to provide between meal
> snacks as well as the main meal. The current generation of MREs are
> quite good and there are a good variety of menus. They are of course a
> bit on the expensive side, but a few MREs and a few bottles of water in
> your vehicle emergency kit are a great thing to have if you're stranded
> somewhere.

Oh, yeah, definitely. Good for that, but I wouldn't want to eat them
for,
say, the duration of a three-day power outage.

My husband has eaten them on numerous occasions; I've tasted the
contents once or twice. Not bad, but I'd probably rather have tuna
cold right out of the can.

It's a moot point for me. We have a generator. During our last
power outage we kept both refrigerators running (alternately),
the gas furnace (blower), a few lights, and his CPAP. Possibly
even the TV, although I can't quite recall. That was a downed
power line at the end of the street on a windy winter day.

Regrettably, the fancy-schmancy water heater
considered the power to be too dirty and wouldn't run (high-E
gas heater, with electronics). We probably should get it a
UPS. Can't take too much energy to run its intake fan, and
we probably could use it as a power conditioner for the stuff
from the genny.

If it weren't for Janet's issues with the septic, I would
recommend she get a generator anyway.

Cindy Hamilton

Janet Wilder wrote:

> His machine does not have one so we'd have to use an inverter. I already
> looked into a battery bank. They still need ventilation. Our bedroom
> windows are where the wind blows when there is a hurricane, so any
> opening of the windows would allow rain and wind into the house.
>
So put him in another room, for petesake! During emergencies one *does*
have to make some alterations to get by.

Goomba wrote:
> Janet Wilder wrote:
>
>> His machine does not have one so we'd have to use an inverter. I
>> already looked into a battery bank. They still need ventilation. Our
>> bedroom windows are where the wind blows when there is a hurricane, so
>> any opening of the windows would allow rain and wind into the house.
>>
> So put him in another room, for petesake! During emergencies one *does*
> have to make some alterations to get by.

We would still need an inverter and a battery bank with a place to put
it. It's easier and cheaper to just get out of Dodge

--
Janet Wilder
Way-the-heck-south Texas
Spelling doesn't count. Cooking does.

On 6/30/2010 3:25 PM, Goomba wrote:
> Janet Wilder wrote:
>
>> His machine does not have one so we'd have to use an inverter. I
>> already looked into a battery bank. They still need ventilation. Our
>> bedroom windows are where the wind blows when there is a hurricane, so
>> any opening of the windows would allow rain and wind into the house.
>>
> So put him in another room, for petesake! During emergencies one *does*
> have to make some alterations to get by.

I'm wondering what kind of battery was supposed to go in this "battery
bank"? WWII submarines had batteries that use the same chemistry as car
batteries, but about 10,000 times bigger (a single cell weighed as much
as a small car), and running on those 48 hours at a stretch in a
completely sealed submerged submarine didn't cause the crew any
problems. A couple of car batteries running a CPAP in a typical house
with a hurricane blowing on it are just going to be a non-issue as far
as ventilation is concerned.

Serene Vannoy wrote:

>
> I have had a total sea change in my thinking on that since reading
> "Apocalypse Chow". Now, my emergency kit, rather than being full of
> canned ravioli and spam, has artichoke hearts, good olives,
> quick-cooking pasta (couscous and pastina), good crackers and canned
> hummus, my favorite three-bean salad, a small butane stove, and several
> kinds of other foofy foods -- stuff we actually like eating, and will be
> a treat for us. Including quick-cooking foods, so we don't have to
> subsist on cold foods in the event of an extended power outage. It's one
> of those concepts I should have thought of before, but didn't.
>


How often do you eat up the old stock and resupply it? I'm finding
stuff in my basement pantry that's 5-10 years old. I won't eat it or
serve it because of quality/safety issues and I have to sneak it into
the trash because Dear Husband would have a coronary to see "perfectly
good food" thrown out. (It's hard to take thrift out of the New
Englander.)

gloria p

gloria.p > wrote:

>How often do you eat up the old stock and resupply it? I'm finding
>stuff in my basement pantry that's 5-10 years old. I won't eat it or
>serve it because of quality/safety issues and I have to sneak it into
>the trash because Dear Husband would have a coronary to see "perfectly
>good food" thrown out. (It's hard to take thrift out of the New
>Englander.)

I go by the use-by date.

Steve

In article >,
Janet Wilder > wrote:

> Omelet wrote:
> > In article >,
> > Janet Wilder > wrote:
> >
> >> Thanks for the offer, George.
> >>
> >> Our house is certified in Austin to withstand 250 mph winds.
> >
> > You live in Austin?
>
> No. Austin is the capitol of Texas and that's where they keep windstorm
> certifications. I'm in the Lower Rio Grande Valley about 20 miles
> upriver from Brownsville.
> >

I see. Well, looks like this hurricane will make landfall on the coast
of Mexico?

I hope it bypasses your area!

Best of luck.
--
Peace! Om

Web Albums: <http://picasaweb.google.com/OMPOmelet>
*Only Irish *coffee provides in a single glass all four *essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar *and fat. --Alex Levine

"Janet Wilder" > wrote in message
...
> Sitting here waiting for updates on tropical storm Alex. He may or may not
> become a hurricane. He may or may not hit us directly. The patterns and
> the forecasts keep changing. House is ready and car is packed. We stay or
> go depending upon power situation.
>
> I have canned tuna, a manual can opener, canned soup, hard boiled eggs and
> drinking water. We'll have to use the gas grill to cook as the house is
> all electric.
>
> I have bags of ice in the freezer chest and the side-by-side and some
> frozen chiller thingies in the fridge. Will be able to get to some steaks
> in a jiffy without letting too much cold out of the freezer.
>
> Any thoughts on what other food is good for hurricanes?

Sandwich making stuff, veggies you can eat raw, fill up a tub with water
(not for eating), peanut butter, crackers, fruit. That's all I can think of
off the top of my head.

Stay safe!!! I hope Alex stays clear of you.

Cheryl

"Cindy Hamilton" > wrote in message
...
>
> It's a moot point for me. We have a generator. During our last
> power outage we kept both refrigerators running (alternately),
> the gas furnace (blower), a few lights, and his CPAP. Possibly
> even the TV, although I can't quite recall. That was a downed
> power line at the end of the street on a windy winter day.

I got one after Isobel in 2003. It was the second tropical storm (by the
time they hit here) that knocked out power for more than 4 days. I haven't
had to use it since, but I have it just in case. It can run my refrigerator
and small freezer and other necessities like fans even if it can't run the
AC. Small heater if it's winter.

On 6/29/2010 7:16 PM, Janet Wilder wrote:

> A generator would keep the fridge and freezer cold. There ia no way we
> can use it for a bi-pap machine and an oxygen concentrator. Have a
> bottle of oxygen, but need power for the bi-pap machine. DH's blood
> oxygen drops precariously without the bi-pap.

Janet, you and your husband are welcome to come and visit us for a few
days.

Becca

J. Clarke wrote:
> On 6/30/2010 3:25 PM, Goomba wrote:
>> Janet Wilder wrote:
>>
>>> His machine does not have one so we'd have to use an inverter. I
>>> already looked into a battery bank. They still need ventilation. Our
>>> bedroom windows are where the wind blows when there is a hurricane, so
>>> any opening of the windows would allow rain and wind into the house.
>>>
>> So put him in another room, for petesake! During emergencies one *does*
>> have to make some alterations to get by.
>
> I'm wondering what kind of battery was supposed to go in this "battery
> bank"? WWII submarines had batteries that use the same chemistry as car
> batteries, but about 10,000 times bigger (a single cell weighed as much
> as a small car), and running on those 48 hours at a stretch in a
> completely sealed submerged submarine didn't cause the crew any
> problems. A couple of car batteries running a CPAP in a typical house
> with a hurricane blowing on it are just going to be a non-issue as far
> as ventilation is concerned.
>

that's not what the guy at the power company told me. I'll just go by
what the fellow, who is assistant manager at the magic Valley Electric
Co-op told me.

--
Janet Wilder
Way-the-heck-south Texas
Spelling doesn't count. Cooking does.

Omelet wrote:
> In article >,
> Janet Wilder > wrote:
>
>> Omelet wrote:
>>> In article >,
>>> Janet Wilder > wrote:
>>>
>>>> Thanks for the offer, George.
>>>>
>>>> Our house is certified in Austin to withstand 250 mph winds.
>>> You live in Austin?
>> No. Austin is the capitol of Texas and that's where they keep windstorm
>> certifications. I'm in the Lower Rio Grande Valley about 20 miles
>> upriver from Brownsville.
>
> I see. Well, looks like this hurricane will make landfall on the coast
> of Mexico?
>
> I hope it bypasses your area!
>
> Best of luck.

Thank you!

We are supposed to get a lot of rain. Right now it's quiet. Ground is
pretty saturated in spots, but not flooded. We're still ready to go if
the water levels go up. I think the flood watch just ended for now.

--
Janet Wilder
Way-the-heck-south Texas
Spelling doesn't count. Cooking does.

Cheryl wrote:
> "Janet Wilder" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Sitting here waiting for updates on tropical storm Alex. He may or may
>> not become a hurricane. He may or may not hit us directly. The
>> patterns and the forecasts keep changing. House is ready and car is
>> packed. We stay or go depending upon power situation.
>>
>> I have canned tuna, a manual can opener, canned soup, hard boiled eggs
>> and drinking water. We'll have to use the gas grill to cook as the
>> house is all electric.
>>
>> I have bags of ice in the freezer chest and the side-by-side and some
>> frozen chiller thingies in the fridge. Will be able to get to some
>> steaks in a jiffy without letting too much cold out of the freezer.
>>
>> Any thoughts on what other food is good for hurricanes?
>
> Sandwich making stuff, veggies you can eat raw, fill up a tub with water
> (not for eating), peanut butter, crackers, fruit. That's all I can
> think of off the top of my head.
>
> Stay safe!!! I hope Alex stays clear of you.
>

Thanks, Cheryl. So far he has. Keeping my fingers crossed.


--
Janet Wilder
Way-the-heck-south Texas
Spelling doesn't count. Cooking does.

Becca wrote:
> On 6/29/2010 7:16 PM, Janet Wilder wrote:
>
>> A generator would keep the fridge and freezer cold. There ia no way we
>> can use it for a bi-pap machine and an oxygen concentrator. Have a
>> bottle of oxygen, but need power for the bi-pap machine. DH's blood
>> oxygen drops precariously without the bi-pap.
>
> Janet, you and your husband are welcome to come and visit us for a few
> days.
>
> Becca

Becca, that is so sweet of you! I think we'll be okay at least or a while.

--
Janet Wilder
Way-the-heck-south Texas
Spelling doesn't count. Cooking does.

"Janet Wilder" > wrote in message
...
>
> So far they have removed the hurricane warning. Right now there is a
> tornado warning. We are ready to move if we have to.

I know this has probably passed by now so I'm watching for an update.
Hurricane tornados can be so erratic and scary.

In article >,
Janet Wilder > wrote:

> Omelet wrote:
> > In article >,
> > Janet Wilder > wrote:
> >
> >> Omelet wrote:
> >>> In article >,
> >>> Janet Wilder > wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Thanks for the offer, George.
> >>>>
> >>>> Our house is certified in Austin to withstand 250 mph winds.
> >>> You live in Austin?
> >> No. Austin is the capitol of Texas and that's where they keep windstorm
> >> certifications. I'm in the Lower Rio Grande Valley about 20 miles
> >> upriver from Brownsville.
> >
> > I see. Well, looks like this hurricane will make landfall on the coast
> > of Mexico?
> >
> > I hope it bypasses your area!
> >
> > Best of luck.
>
> Thank you!
>
> We are supposed to get a lot of rain. Right now it's quiet. Ground is
> pretty saturated in spots, but not flooded. We're still ready to go if
> the water levels go up. I think the flood watch just ended for now.

Good. We were getting flash flood watches earlier today too. :-)
And I am 300 miles inland in the Austin/San Antonio corridor. <g>
We are loving the rain... within limits!
--
Peace! Om

Web Albums: <http://picasaweb.google.com/OMPOmelet>
*Only Irish *coffee provides in a single glass all four *essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar *and fat. --Alex Levine

"gloria.p" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> How often do you eat up the old stock and resupply it? I'm finding stuff
> in my basement pantry that's 5-10 years old. I won't eat it or serve it
> because of quality/safety issues and I have to sneak it into the trash
> because Dear Husband would have a coronary to see "perfectly good food"
> thrown out. (It's hard to take thrift out of the New Englander.)

Is that where thrift comes from? LOL! I ask because my mom is from New
England, Mass actually, and is extremely thrifty. I even had to talk her
out of her habit of putting a bucket in the shower with her to collect water
to water the shrubs because her balance isn't what it used to be and I'm
afraid she'll wobble and fall on it or because of it.

Cheryl wrote:

> Is that where thrift comes from? LOL! I ask because my mom is from New
> England, Mass actually, and is extremely thrifty. I even had to talk
> her out of her habit of putting a bucket in the shower with her to
> collect water to water the shrubs because her balance isn't what it used
> to be and I'm afraid she'll wobble and fall on it or because of it.

I've always heard this was a classic New Englander line-
"Use it up, Wear it out,
Make it do or do without"

J. Clarke wrote:
<snip>
I'm wondering what kind of battery was supposed to go in this "battery
> bank"? WWII submarines had batteries that use the same chemistry as car
> batteries, but about 10,000 times bigger (a single cell weighed as much
> as a small car), and running on those 48 hours at a stretch in a
> completely sealed submerged submarine didn't cause the crew any
> problems. A couple of car batteries running a CPAP in a typical house
> with a hurricane blowing on it are just going to be a non-issue as far
> as ventilation is concerned.
>

Actually, the WWII submarine batteries were 14"x14"x36", 2 volts each cell,
126 cells (batteries) and there were 2 - 1 forward and 1 aft. 48hrs would have
killed everybody on board. Not enough O2. Too much CO2.

Steve (old submariner)

Janet Baraclough wrote:
> The message >
> from Andy > contains these words:
>
>
>> Hurricanes don't last very long.
>
> The damage caused by them doesn't disappear when the wind drops.
>
> Janet
Beans ?

On 6/30/2010 10:32 PM, Steve Clingerman wrote:
> J. Clarke wrote:
> <snip>
> I'm wondering what kind of battery was supposed to go in this "battery
>> bank"? WWII submarines had batteries that use the same chemistry as car
>> batteries, but about 10,000 times bigger (a single cell weighed as much
>> as a small car), and running on those 48 hours at a stretch in a
>> completely sealed submerged submarine didn't cause the crew any
>> problems. A couple of car batteries running a CPAP in a typical house
>> with a hurricane blowing on it are just going to be a non-issue as far
>> as ventilation is concerned.
>>
>
> Actually, the WWII submarine batteries were 14"x14"x36", 2 volts each cell,
> 126 cells (batteries) and there were 2 - 1 forward and 1 aft. 48hrs would have
> killed everybody on board. Not enough O2. Too much CO2.
>
> Steve (old submariner)

Thank you for the correction, however it's kind of beside the point,
which was that those batteries were massively larger than a car battery
and the batteries didn't under normal conditions put out anything that
would poison the crew of the submarine after two days of operation.

Do you agree or disagree with the contention that two car batteries in a
house with a hurricane blowing on it are going to need some kind of
special ventilation?

In article >,
atec7 7 <""atec77\"@ hotmail.com"> wrote:

> Janet Baraclough wrote:
> > The message >
> > from Andy > contains these words:
> >
> >
> >> Hurricanes don't last very long.
> >
> > The damage caused by them doesn't disappear when the wind drops.
> >
> > Janet
> Beans ?

There are a large variety of canned beans. :-)
There are also plenty of canned whole meals available as well as a LOT
of dried stuff in ready to eat packages now on the food aisles.

I'd say that a sterno stove (or a camp stove with a reserve of fuel
cans) would be an excellent investment...

and stock up on bottled WATER! I think that that is even more important
than food.

And stock up on bath tissue too. <g>
--
Peace! Om

Web Albums: <http://picasaweb.google.com/OMPOmelet>
*Only Irish *coffee provides in a single glass all four *essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar *and fat. --Alex Levine

Janet Wilder wrote:
>
> A generator would keep the fridge and freezer cold. There ia no way we
> can use it for a bi-pap machine and an oxygen concentrator. Have a
> bottle of oxygen, but need power for the bi-pap machine. DH's blood
> oxygen drops precariously without the bi-pap.

Further on this, what do you think hospitals and nursing homes do,
evacuate when there is a power failure? Of course not, they continue to
run all their life support equipment on generators.

If you were told not to run your bi-pap or O2 concentrator on a
generator, it was either by someone with no technical knowledge, or not
wanting any liability for something they don't know enough about.

Talk to a distributor of "real" standby generators, Onan, Kohler,
Generac/Guardian, or similar and get the real details on what you would
need for your loads.

On 6/30/2010 7:27 PM, Janet Wilder wrote:
> Becca wrote:
>> Janet, you and your husband are welcome to come and visit us for a
>> few days.
>>
>> Becca
>
> Becca, that is so sweet of you! I think we'll be okay at least or a
> while.
>

We have getting rain bands from Alex, which have been appreciated. I
just hope you don't lose electricity. If you do, like I said, you are
welcome here.

Becca

Pete C. wrote:
> Janet Wilder wrote:
>> A generator would keep the fridge and freezer cold. There ia no way we
>> can use it for a bi-pap machine and an oxygen concentrator. Have a
>> bottle of oxygen, but need power for the bi-pap machine. DH's blood
>> oxygen drops precariously without the bi-pap.
>
> Further on this, what do you think hospitals and nursing homes do,
> evacuate when there is a power failure? Of course not, they continue to
> run all their life support equipment on generators.
>
> If you were told not to run your bi-pap or O2 concentrator on a
> generator, it was either by someone with no technical knowledge, or not
> wanting any liability for something they don't know enough about.
>
> Talk to a distributor of "real" standby generators, Onan, Kohler,
> Generac/Guardian, or similar and get the real details on what you would
> need for your loads.

Hospitals have a place and a power source for their generators. They
house them in special buildings.

We don't have a place to put one out of the weather. We would have to
expose our garage to wind and rain to keep a genset there and then the
cord would have to be a few hundred feet long. Not viable according to
experts.

Please don't tell me about generators. I have more hands-on experience
than you do. I lived in an RV with a 3,000K propane genset and a whole
house 2,000W inverter on a battery bank of 4 golf cart batteries. I know
much more about the ventilation of these things than you appear to.

I have consulted experts and had them in my home to look at the problem.
I've tried being nice, but you evidently have a need to treat me like I
was some kind of moron. Save your lectures for someone who needs them.
--
Janet Wilder
Way-the-heck-south Texas
Spelling doesn't count. Cooking does.

Becca wrote:
> On 6/30/2010 7:27 PM, Janet Wilder wrote:
>> Becca wrote:
>>> Janet, you and your husband are welcome to come and visit us for a
>>> few days.
>>>
>>> Becca
>>
>> Becca, that is so sweet of you! I think we'll be okay at least or a
>> while.
>>
>
> We have getting rain bands from Alex, which have been appreciated. I
> just hope you don't lose electricity. If you do, like I said, you are
> welcome here.
>
> Becca

Becca, you are truly a Love in many, ways. Thank you, thank you.

We never lost power. Our back yard and front yard were flooded this AM.
I went straight into the office of the County dept of public works
because I know they hang out there at around 9 AM. I had photos in my
little camera. Within an hour they were there with a backhoe and
clearing the ditch to get some of the water flowing. Part of the
problem is TXDOT who needs to clear the ditch on the state FM road.

Called TXDOT and they sent a truck to clear their drainage
responsibility. Now we are praying that it won't rain any more. The
septic is still working, thank goodness. It was underwater for quite a
while.

Yard guy came and stood up one of our little ash trees that was leaning.

The water will eventually drain off. I bought some more canned stuff
for the rest of hurricane season today.

We are fine.

Thank you again for your awesome offer. Anytime y'all go to see a
dentist in Mexico, you have a place here (with dinner and drinks!)

--
Janet Wilder
Way-the-heck-south Texas
Spelling doesn't count. Cooking does.

Janet Wilder wrote:
>
> Pete C. wrote:
> > Janet Wilder wrote:
> >> A generator would keep the fridge and freezer cold. There ia no way we
> >> can use it for a bi-pap machine and an oxygen concentrator. Have a
> >> bottle of oxygen, but need power for the bi-pap machine. DH's blood
> >> oxygen drops precariously without the bi-pap.
>
> We don't have a place to put one out of the weather. We would have to
> expose our garage to wind and rain to keep a genset there and then the
> cord would have to be a few hundred feet long. Not viable according to
> experts.

Essentially all residential standby gensets come with their own weather
housings and just sit on a concrete pad outside. You are thinking of
portable contractor type generators and that is not what I am referring
to at all.

>
> Please don't tell me about generators. I have more hands-on experience
> than you do.

I'm sorry, but you don't. I've worked with commercial standby generators
100KW and up in data center environments since 1995. I have managed
projects to install some of these generators as well.

> I lived in an RV with a 3,000K propane genset and a whole
> house 2,000W inverter on a battery bank of 4 golf cart batteries. I know
> much more about the ventilation of these things than you appear to.

RV class generators are not in the same class as commercial standby
generators at all.

The standby generators I have extensive experience are 100KW and up, in
several sites I deal with there are multiple MW of gensets, paralleling
switch gear and 20,000 gal+ of diesel supply.

>
> I have consulted experts and had them in my home to look at the problem.
> I've tried being nice, but you evidently have a need to treat me like I
> was some kind of moron. Save your lectures for someone who needs them.

There is a new class of residential standby gensets that has mostly
appeared in the last decade that you and those experts you have
consulted are apparently not aware of. They have the same weather housed
mount on concrete pad outdoors design as the commercial standby units,
but they are LP/Nat. gas i.e. gaseous fueled (most commercial are
diesel), and available in smaller sizes and packaged with smaller
transfer switches for residential use.

In short, I am not treating you like a moron as you seem to feel, I am
making you aware of a class of generators that you are apparently not
aware of. They are also not from some obscure and questionable company,
below are links to these generator lines from three major respected
generator manufacturers.

Generac Guardian series residential automatic standby generators (8KW to
60KW):
http://www.generac.com/Residential/G...ardian_Series/

Kohler residential automatic standby generators (8.5KW to 100KW):
http://www.kohlerpower.com/residenti...Number=13 561

Cummins Onan residential automatic standby generators (12KW to 100KW):
http://www.cumminsonan.com/residenti...ts/homestandby

In article >,
Janet Wilder > wrote:

> The water will eventually drain off. I bought some more canned stuff
> for the rest of hurricane season today.
>
> We are fine.

I am glad y'all are doing ok. :-)
--
Peace! Om

Web Albums: <http://picasaweb.google.com/OMPOmelet>
*Only Irish *coffee provides in a single glass all four *essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar *and fat. --Alex Levine

Pete C. wrote:
> Janet Wilder wrote:
>> Pete C. wrote:
>>> Janet Wilder wrote:
>>>> A generator would keep the fridge and freezer cold. There ia no way we
>>>> can use it for a bi-pap machine and an oxygen concentrator. Have a
>>>> bottle of oxygen, but need power for the bi-pap machine. DH's blood
>>>> oxygen drops precariously without the bi-pap.
>> We don't have a place to put one out of the weather. We would have to
>> expose our garage to wind and rain to keep a genset there and then the
>> cord would have to be a few hundred feet long. Not viable according to
>> experts.
>
> Essentially all residential standby gensets come with their own weather
> housings and just sit on a concrete pad outside. You are thinking of
> portable contractor type generators and that is not what I am referring
> to at all.
>
>> Please don't tell me about generators. I have more hands-on experience
>> than you do.
>
> I'm sorry, but you don't. I've worked with commercial standby generators
> 100KW and up in data center environments since 1995. I have managed
> projects to install some of these generators as well.
>
>> I lived in an RV with a 3,000K propane genset and a whole
>> house 2,000W inverter on a battery bank of 4 golf cart batteries. I know
>> much more about the ventilation of these things than you appear to.
>
> RV class generators are not in the same class as commercial standby
> generators at all.
>
> The standby generators I have extensive experience are 100KW and up, in
> several sites I deal with there are multiple MW of gensets, paralleling
> switch gear and 20,000 gal+ of diesel supply.
>
>> I have consulted experts and had them in my home to look at the problem.
>> I've tried being nice, but you evidently have a need to treat me like I
>> was some kind of moron. Save your lectures for someone who needs them.
>
> There is a new class of residential standby gensets that has mostly
> appeared in the last decade that you and those experts you have
> consulted are apparently not aware of. They have the same weather housed
> mount on concrete pad outdoors design as the commercial standby units,
> but they are LP/Nat. gas i.e. gaseous fueled (most commercial are
> diesel), and available in smaller sizes and packaged with smaller
> transfer switches for residential use.
>
> In short, I am not treating you like a moron as you seem to feel, I am
> making you aware of a class of generators that you are apparently not
> aware of. They are also not from some obscure and questionable company,
> below are links to these generator lines from three major respected
> generator manufacturers.
>
> Generac Guardian series residential automatic standby generators (8KW to
> 60KW):
> http://www.generac.com/Residential/G...ardian_Series/
>
> Kohler residential automatic standby generators (8.5KW to 100KW):
> http://www.kohlerpower.com/residenti...Number=13 561
>
> Cummins Onan residential automatic standby generators (12KW to 100KW):
> http://www.cumminsonan.com/residenti...ts/homestandby

All the standby generators need gas for fuel. We have no natural gas
lines out here. The alternative would be to bury a propane tank. The
cost of the tank and the generator is just too prohibitive. Of course
if you would like to foot the bill for bringing a natural gas line to my
house from the closest point 3 miles away, I'd be delighted. Burying a
tank in an area prone to flooding is not such a good idea.

As I type I'm hoping it doesn't rain any more as our yard was flooded
fro Alex.

--
Janet Wilder
Way-the-heck-south Texas
Spelling doesn't count. Cooking does.

Omelet wrote:
> In article >,
> Janet Wilder > wrote:
>
>> The water will eventually drain off. I bought some more canned stuff
>> for the rest of hurricane season today.
>>
>> We are fine.
>
> I am glad y'all are doing ok. :-)

Thank you.

--
Janet Wilder
Way-the-heck-south Texas
Spelling doesn't count. Cooking does.

Janet Wilder wrote:
>
> Pete C. wrote:
> > Janet Wilder wrote:
> >> Pete C. wrote:
> >>> Janet Wilder wrote:
> >>>> A generator would keep the fridge and freezer cold. There ia no way we
> >>>> can use it for a bi-pap machine and an oxygen concentrator. Have a
> >>>> bottle of oxygen, but need power for the bi-pap machine. DH's blood
> >>>> oxygen drops precariously without the bi-pap.
> >> We don't have a place to put one out of the weather. We would have to
> >> expose our garage to wind and rain to keep a genset there and then the
> >> cord would have to be a few hundred feet long. Not viable according to
> >> experts.
> >
> > Essentially all residential standby gensets come with their own weather
> > housings and just sit on a concrete pad outside. You are thinking of
> > portable contractor type generators and that is not what I am referring
> > to at all.
> >
> >> Please don't tell me about generators. I have more hands-on experience
> >> than you do.
> >
> > I'm sorry, but you don't. I've worked with commercial standby generators
> > 100KW and up in data center environments since 1995. I have managed
> > projects to install some of these generators as well.
> >
> >> I lived in an RV with a 3,000K propane genset and a whole
> >> house 2,000W inverter on a battery bank of 4 golf cart batteries. I know
> >> much more about the ventilation of these things than you appear to.
> >
> > RV class generators are not in the same class as commercial standby
> > generators at all.
> >
> > The standby generators I have extensive experience are 100KW and up, in
> > several sites I deal with there are multiple MW of gensets, paralleling
> > switch gear and 20,000 gal+ of diesel supply.
> >
> >> I have consulted experts and had them in my home to look at the problem.
> >> I've tried being nice, but you evidently have a need to treat me like I
> >> was some kind of moron. Save your lectures for someone who needs them.
> >
> > There is a new class of residential standby gensets that has mostly
> > appeared in the last decade that you and those experts you have
> > consulted are apparently not aware of. They have the same weather housed
> > mount on concrete pad outdoors design as the commercial standby units,
> > but they are LP/Nat. gas i.e. gaseous fueled (most commercial are
> > diesel), and available in smaller sizes and packaged with smaller
> > transfer switches for residential use.
> >
> > In short, I am not treating you like a moron as you seem to feel, I am
> > making you aware of a class of generators that you are apparently not
> > aware of. They are also not from some obscure and questionable company,
> > below are links to these generator lines from three major respected
> > generator manufacturers.
> >
> > Generac Guardian series residential automatic standby generators (8KW to
> > 60KW):
> > http://www.generac.com/Residential/G...ardian_Series/
> >
> > Kohler residential automatic standby generators (8.5KW to 100KW):
> > http://www.kohlerpower.com/residenti...Number=13 561
> >
> > Cummins Onan residential automatic standby generators (12KW to 100KW):
> > http://www.cumminsonan.com/residenti...ts/homestandby
>
> All the standby generators need gas for fuel. We have no natural gas
> lines out here. The alternative would be to bury a propane tank. The
> cost of the tank and the generator is just too prohibitive. Of course
> if you would like to foot the bill for bringing a natural gas line to my
> house from the closest point 3 miles away, I'd be delighted. Burying a
> tank in an area prone to flooding is not such a good idea.

Yep, it may not be cost effective, though the cost should be weighed
against the criticality of the medical equipment, the frequency of
outage threats and the cost of evacuating for those threats.

"Too expensive" is still quite different from "A generator would keep
the fridge and freezer cold. There ia no way we can use it for a bi-pap
machine and an oxygen concentrator". Which is why I pointed out the
residential standby generator packages that are available.

>
> As I type I'm hoping it doesn't rain any more as our yard was flooded
> fro Alex.

Good luck with that. Send a bit of rain up north of Dallas so I don't
have to keep watering my lawn. We keep getting threats of rain, but when
that rain materializes it's about 15 drops and it's done.

On 7/2/2010 12:07 AM, Janet Wilder wrote:
> Pete C. wrote:
>> Janet Wilder wrote:
>>> Pete C. wrote:
>>>> Janet Wilder wrote:
>>>>> A generator would keep the fridge and freezer cold. There ia no way we
>>>>> can use it for a bi-pap machine and an oxygen concentrator. Have a
>>>>> bottle of oxygen, but need power for the bi-pap machine. DH's blood
>>>>> oxygen drops precariously without the bi-pap.
>>> We don't have a place to put one out of the weather. We would have to
>>> expose our garage to wind and rain to keep a genset there and then the
>>> cord would have to be a few hundred feet long. Not viable according to
>>> experts.
>>
>> Essentially all residential standby gensets come with their own weather
>> housings and just sit on a concrete pad outside. You are thinking of
>> portable contractor type generators and that is not what I am referring
>> to at all.
>>
>>> Please don't tell me about generators. I have more hands-on experience
>>> than you do.
>>
>> I'm sorry, but you don't. I've worked with commercial standby generators
>> 100KW and up in data center environments since 1995. I have managed
>> projects to install some of these generators as well.
>>
>>> I lived in an RV with a 3,000K propane genset and a whole
>>> house 2,000W inverter on a battery bank of 4 golf cart batteries. I know
>>> much more about the ventilation of these things than you appear to.
>>
>> RV class generators are not in the same class as commercial standby
>> generators at all.
>> The standby generators I have extensive experience are 100KW and up, in
>> several sites I deal with there are multiple MW of gensets, paralleling
>> switch gear and 20,000 gal+ of diesel supply.
>>> I have consulted experts and had them in my home to look at the problem.
>>> I've tried being nice, but you evidently have a need to treat me like I
>>> was some kind of moron. Save your lectures for someone who needs them.
>>
>> There is a new class of residential standby gensets that has mostly
>> appeared in the last decade that you and those experts you have
>> consulted are apparently not aware of. They have the same weather housed
>> mount on concrete pad outdoors design as the commercial standby units,
>> but they are LP/Nat. gas i.e. gaseous fueled (most commercial are
>> diesel), and available in smaller sizes and packaged with smaller
>> transfer switches for residential use.
>>
>> In short, I am not treating you like a moron as you seem to feel, I am
>> making you aware of a class of generators that you are apparently not
>> aware of. They are also not from some obscure and questionable company,
>> below are links to these generator lines from three major respected
>> generator manufacturers.
>>
>> Generac Guardian series residential automatic standby generators (8KW to
>> 60KW):
>> http://www.generac.com/Residential/G...ardian_Series/
>>
>> Kohler residential automatic standby generators (8.5KW to 100KW):
>> http://www.kohlerpower.com/residenti...Number=13 561
>>
>>
>> Cummins Onan residential automatic standby generators (12KW to 100KW):
>> http://www.cumminsonan.com/residenti...ts/homestandby
>
> All the standby generators need gas for fuel. We have no natural gas
> lines out here. The alternative would be to bury a propane tank. The
> cost of the tank and the generator is just too prohibitive. Of course if
> you would like to foot the bill for bringing a natural gas line to my
> house from the closest point 3 miles away, I'd be delighted. Burying a
> tank in an area prone to flooding is not such a good idea.

Why would you have to bury a propane tank? Are you subject to HOA
restrictions?

Not sure why flooding is an issue either, propane tanks are sealed and
completely waterproof (if they keep propane _in_ then they'll keep water
_out_).

> As I type I'm hoping it doesn't rain any more as our yard was flooded
> fro Alex.
>

On Sun, 04 Jul 2010 16:28:38 -0400, "J. Clarke"
> wrote:

>On 7/2/2010 12:07 AM, Janet Wilder wrote:
>> Pete C. wrote:
>>> Janet Wilder wrote:
>>>> Pete C. wrote:
>>>>> Janet Wilder wrote:
>>>>>> A generator would keep the fridge and freezer cold. There ia no way we
>>>>>> can use it for a bi-pap machine and an oxygen concentrator. Have a
>>>>>> bottle of oxygen, but need power for the bi-pap machine. DH's blood
>>>>>> oxygen drops precariously without the bi-pap.
>>>> We don't have a place to put one out of the weather. We would have to
>>>> expose our garage to wind and rain to keep a genset there and then the
>>>> cord would have to be a few hundred feet long. Not viable according to
>>>> experts.
>>>
>>> Essentially all residential standby gensets come with their own weather
>>> housings and just sit on a concrete pad outside. You are thinking of
>>> portable contractor type generators and that is not what I am referring
>>> to at all.
>>>
>>>> Please don't tell me about generators. I have more hands-on experience
>>>> than you do.
>>>
>>> I'm sorry, but you don't. I've worked with commercial standby generators
>>> 100KW and up in data center environments since 1995. I have managed
>>> projects to install some of these generators as well.
>>>
>>>> I lived in an RV with a 3,000K propane genset and a whole
>>>> house 2,000W inverter on a battery bank of 4 golf cart batteries. I know
>>>> much more about the ventilation of these things than you appear to.
>>>
>>> RV class generators are not in the same class as commercial standby
>>> generators at all.
>>> The standby generators I have extensive experience are 100KW and up, in
>>> several sites I deal with there are multiple MW of gensets, paralleling
>>> switch gear and 20,000 gal+ of diesel supply.
>>>> I have consulted experts and had them in my home to look at the problem.
>>>> I've tried being nice, but you evidently have a need to treat me like I
>>>> was some kind of moron. Save your lectures for someone who needs them.
>>>
>>> There is a new class of residential standby gensets that has mostly
>>> appeared in the last decade that you and those experts you have
>>> consulted are apparently not aware of. They have the same weather housed
>>> mount on concrete pad outdoors design as the commercial standby units,
>>> but they are LP/Nat. gas i.e. gaseous fueled (most commercial are
>>> diesel), and available in smaller sizes and packaged with smaller
>>> transfer switches for residential use.
>>>
>>> In short, I am not treating you like a moron as you seem to feel, I am
>>> making you aware of a class of generators that you are apparently not
>>> aware of. They are also not from some obscure and questionable company,
>>> below are links to these generator lines from three major respected
>>> generator manufacturers.
>>>
>>> Generac Guardian series residential automatic standby generators (8KW to
>>> 60KW):
>>> http://www.generac.com/Residential/G...ardian_Series/
>>>
>>> Kohler residential automatic standby generators (8.5KW to 100KW):
>>> http://www.kohlerpower.com/residenti...Number=13 561
>>>
>>>
>>> Cummins Onan residential automatic standby generators (12KW to 100KW):
>>> http://www.cumminsonan.com/residenti...ts/homestandby
>>
>> All the standby generators need gas for fuel. We have no natural gas
>> lines out here. The alternative would be to bury a propane tank. The
>> cost of the tank and the generator is just too prohibitive. Of course if
>> you would like to foot the bill for bringing a natural gas line to my
>> house from the closest point 3 miles away, I'd be delighted. Burying a
>> tank in an area prone to flooding is not such a good idea.
>
>Why would you have to bury a propane tank? Are you subject to HOA
>restrictions?
>
>Not sure why flooding is an issue either, propane tanks are sealed and
>completely waterproof (if they keep propane _in_ then they'll keep water
>_out_).

Most propane companies will supply and install the tank for free.
People typically choose a buried tank for esthetic reasons but those
fiberglass tanks cost no more than the steel above ground tanks. I
have already checked, if ever I decide that I want a whole house
generator my propane dealer will do the installation for free, I only
need to pay for the generator and materials.

On 6/29/2010 1:28 PM, Janet Wilder wrote:
> Sitting here waiting for updates on tropical storm Alex. He may or may
> not become a hurricane. He may or may not hit us directly. The patterns
> and the forecasts keep changing. House is ready and car is packed. We
> stay or go depending upon power situation.
>
> I have canned tuna, a manual can opener, canned soup, hard boiled eggs
> and drinking water. We'll have to use the gas grill to cook as the house
> is all electric.
>
> I have bags of ice in the freezer chest and the side-by-side and some
> frozen chiller thingies in the fridge. Will be able to get to some
> steaks in a jiffy without letting too much cold out of the freezer.
>
> Any thoughts on what other food is good for hurricanes?

I have tried a product called "HeaterMeals" which provides a hot meal in
about 10 minutes. The food is heated by adding about 2 oz of salt water
(included in the box) into a bag of what is probably iron filings with
an oxidizing agent. This produces heat. The food tray is placed on top
of the heater pad and in a short time you have a hot meal. I had the
pepper steak with rice and I thought it was pretty good. A guy in the
wake of a hurricane would find it to be a great meal. I thought of
giving away some HeaterMeals as promotional items, however, the price of
shipping a case to Hawaii put a dampener on that idea.

On 7/4/2010 10:52 PM, dsi1 wrote:
> On 6/29/2010 1:28 PM, Janet Wilder wrote:
>> Sitting here waiting for updates on tropical storm Alex. He may or may
>> not become a hurricane. He may or may not hit us directly. The patterns
>> and the forecasts keep changing. House is ready and car is packed. We
>> stay or go depending upon power situation.
>>
>> I have canned tuna, a manual can opener, canned soup, hard boiled eggs
>> and drinking water. We'll have to use the gas grill to cook as the house
>> is all electric.
>>
>> I have bags of ice in the freezer chest and the side-by-side and some
>> frozen chiller thingies in the fridge. Will be able to get to some
>> steaks in a jiffy without letting too much cold out of the freezer.
>>
>> Any thoughts on what other food is good for hurricanes?
>
> I have tried a product called "HeaterMeals" which provides a hot meal in
> about 10 minutes. The food is heated by adding about 2 oz of salt water
> (included in the box) into a bag of what is probably iron filings with
> an oxidizing agent. This produces heat. The food tray is placed on top
> of the heater pad and in a short time you have a hot meal. I had the
> pepper steak with rice and I thought it was pretty good. A guy in the
> wake of a hurricane would find it to be a great meal. I thought of
> giving away some HeaterMeals as promotional items, however, the price of
> shipping a case to Hawaii put a dampener on that idea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RxwioSrcIQ&NR=1

In article >, dsi1 >
wrote:

> > I have tried a product called "HeaterMeals" which provides a hot meal in
> > about 10 minutes. The food is heated by adding about 2 oz of salt water
> > (included in the box) into a bag of what is probably iron filings with
> > an oxidizing agent. This produces heat. The food tray is placed on top
> > of the heater pad and in a short time you have a hot meal. I had the
> > pepper steak with rice and I thought it was pretty good. A guy in the
> > wake of a hurricane would find it to be a great meal. I thought of
> > giving away some HeaterMeals as promotional items, however, the price of
> > shipping a case to Hawaii put a dampener on that idea.
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RxwioSrcIQ&NR=1

Pricey, but competitive compared to similar products, and you don't need
a sterno stove.

Pretty much outside the affordability range tho' if you have a family to
feed.

I'd personally stick with mostly canned and dried goods but that's just
me.
--
Peace! Om

Web Albums: <http://picasaweb.google.com/OMPOmelet>
*Only Irish *coffee provides in a single glass all four *essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar *and fat. --Alex Levine