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Universal => Aussie Doomsday Preppers => Topic started by: The Gate Keeper on April 27, 2012, 12:06:51 AM

Title: Welcome to the Preppers Place!
Post by: The Gate Keeper on April 27, 2012, 12:06:51 AM
Welcome to the Preppers Place.

We are on a bit of a learning curve here so please learn with us. This place is to discuss preparations that can be made if the end of the world as we know it comes along. Whatever disaster is your personal favourite, pandemic, world depression, natural disasters etc, preps are basically the same.

So here we are disussing those preparations. Everything from stockpiling food and which ones and why, to alternate fuel sources, bug out (or safe) locations or bug out vehicles, bug out bags (what are the essentials), first aid needs, light, power, heating and self defence. Living off the land and being as sustainable as possible plus anything else that fits that we haven't thought of yet.

Whilst not paranormal as such (I am sure I can make an argument that it is, but alas...) many psychics have predicted such events and with a general interest in the topic, we thought we would introduce this board.

Enjoy your preps....maybe I will tell you about my trip down the Amazon.

TGK


Title: Re: Welcome to the Preppers Place!
Post by: Saturn on April 27, 2012, 01:21:34 AM
I am prepping for the end. I have bought solar panels, a generator, 12 volt fridge/freezer for when there is no electrickery and stockpiled milk. And medication.

I still need a boat, a tent and a campers dunny.

But the cyclone didn't come this year. One year it will come, but not this year.

Title: Re: Welcome to the Preppers Place!
Post by: GaryTheDemon on April 27, 2012, 01:22:09 AM
Clean sox are a must.  As is a good supply of chocolate...
Title: Re: Welcome to the Preppers Place!
Post by: GaryTheDemon on April 27, 2012, 01:22:41 AM
Oh, and tampons might be a good idea though I've never found a use for them myself...
Title: Re: Welcome to the Preppers Place!
Post by: Saturn on April 27, 2012, 01:28:02 AM
Nearly forgot the promite! Need lots and lots of promite.
Title: Re: Welcome to the Preppers Place!
Post by: GaryTheDemon on April 27, 2012, 01:42:30 AM
Well, actually Sustagen and plenty of bottled water.  Get the hospital variety with fibre and it's a full food replacement.  And it comes in Chocolate!!!
Title: Re: Welcome to the Preppers Place!
Post by: Saturn on April 27, 2012, 01:53:44 AM
I've got Sustagen Dutch chocolate.

Hospital formula? It's probably the same once promite is added to it. :)
Title: Re: Welcome to the Preppers Place!
Post by: Christine on April 27, 2012, 11:02:39 AM
I wonder what the shelf life of Sustagen is?
Title: Re: Welcome to the Preppers Place!
Post by: Saturn on April 27, 2012, 01:03:30 PM
I wonder what the shelf life of Sustagen is?

I don't now about the hospital grade, but the last regular one I bought is about 3 years going by the use by date (Jan 2015).
Title: Re: Welcome to the Preppers Place!
Post by: Christine on April 27, 2012, 03:26:00 PM
OK. Thanks. I think items with a long shelf life would be better because you might need to replace them regularly otherwise. That being said many products are still good after their shelf life expires.
Title: Re: Welcome to the Preppers Place!
Post by: GaryTheDemon on April 27, 2012, 08:19:10 PM
It's dry so chance are its good for way past the useby.  The hospital version contains all the nutrients required to live on.  I think there are two Hosp. ones though - with and without fibre.  If you were going to live in a bunker I'd go with mostly WITHOUT and occasionally WITH. LOL
Title: Re: Welcome to the Preppers Place!
Post by: catseyes on April 27, 2012, 11:15:01 PM
Remember water has to be replaced every couple of years if you are buying bottled water.
Title: Re: Welcome to the Preppers Place!
Post by: GaryTheDemon on April 27, 2012, 11:50:56 PM
If kept in the right conditions it will keep indefinitely.  In the dark, cool and sealed.  But if things were so screwed that you had to live for the rest of your life on bottled water, then I think it would be time to turn to the gin...
Title: Re: Welcome to the Preppers Place!
Post by: Saturn on April 28, 2012, 01:06:04 AM
Depends on the disaster, but rain water tanks or a bore could be longer term options.

My disaster prepping is for cyclones. We got side swiped by Cat 3 Ului which knocked the power out for nearly a week in places. Couldn't find a generator anywhere for sale in the entire city. Many were used up powering traffic lights. I've read of other areas in FNQ that were without power for over 6 months.

I presently have about 700 watts of solar panels and several battery banks, even though I'm still connected to the grid. I can power the house to get by with this, but going to get more shortly. The goal will be 1.5 KW.

Cat 5 cyclones are city killers should they make a direct hit. My solar panels will be blown away, as will the house, so I'm only counting on something weaker.

I'm not waiting for disaster to use them though. They are in use now and are effectively reducing the electricity bill as more appliances are taken off the power grid.

Some fool here is holding one of the 120 watt solar panels.
Title: Re: Welcome to the Preppers Place!
Post by: GaryTheDemon on April 28, 2012, 01:18:36 AM
Looks less like a fool and more like someone with a bit of sense.  But then, can you trust the wisdom of the demon?
Title: Re: Welcome to the Preppers Place!
Post by: catseyes on April 28, 2012, 11:29:05 AM
We intend putting on solar panels here once we sell the Melbourne place.

Gary, I saw a program on survival that said water cannot be kept indefinitely in plastic bottles.  They recommended using them and rotating the stock.
Title: Re: Welcome to the Preppers Place!
Post by: catseyes on April 28, 2012, 01:07:22 PM
Just remember too, if there is a major disaster,  if you are in the city you will be trapped there.   The Civil defence guys, once they get into action will not let people wander in and out as they like.   Get out early.  There will be NO water.  There will be NO septic system.  Toilets will back up.  There will be DEAD people so disease will spread.

Also small towns will have enough to support only so many people, you will find after a day or two it will be unlikely that they will let you into some towns.   I think you will find that they will close their 'borders' to outsiders.   
Title: Re: Welcome to the Preppers Place!
Post by: Christine on April 29, 2012, 06:04:50 PM
Did you work out how many you needed and instal them yourself or did you get a company to do it?
Title: Re: Welcome to the Preppers Place!
Post by: Saturn on April 29, 2012, 10:08:16 PM
Did you work out how many you needed and instal them yourself or did you get a company to do it?

The solar panels? It's all DIY 12 volt parallel array. I keep adding to it as funds become available. The system is expandable. The only limit is $ and enthusiasm.
Title: Re: Welcome to the Preppers Place!
Post by: Christine on April 30, 2012, 12:34:40 AM
We are thinking of adding solar too
Title: Re: Welcome to the Preppers Place!
Post by: Saturn on April 30, 2012, 01:46:57 AM
Keep in mind that 12 volt solar has one major weakness - the battery. Like food they have a limited life whether you use them or not. They need to be topped up on a regular basis or they self discharge and die. When in use they have a limited number of recharge cycles, like all rechargeable batteries. Depth of discharge determines the number of recharge cycles.

The longest lasting batteries are those specifically designed for stand alone solar. These are expensive but can last for 20 years. Next are camping, caravan or UPS type AGM deep cycle batteries. These are cheaper but only last 4 to 6 years of constant use.

Businesses and schools that use UPS batteries often replace them before they are exhausted. If you have contacts that work in that industry you may be able to score some batteries cheap or even for free and still get a year or two out of them. But remember they will eventually fail whether you use them or not.

If it comes to the crunch, wet cell car batteries can be used as a last resort. They don't like to be deeply discharged or tilted, they discharge corrosive flammable gases and corrode wire and terminals, but in a pinch they will work and are readily available. 
Title: Re: Welcome to the Preppers Place!
Post by: Christine on April 30, 2012, 08:16:45 PM
Ah ok. I hate the whole battery management routine. I find it difficult and tedious.
Title: Re: Welcome to the Preppers Place!
Post by: Saturn on April 30, 2012, 11:06:26 PM
I may have made it sound more complicated than it actually is. Once in operation the charge controller does everything, but you need to know a few parameters to set it up in the first place.

I'm a radio/electronics technician but still found there was a learning curve to setting them up. Then again campers, caravaners and 4WD enthusiasts do it all the time to have power in the bush. 
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