It's Day 6 of the blackout and the word is it might be another week. Since my son is sick and there's nothing else to do I’ve been thinking. Actually, I’ve been doing nothing but thinking and I’ve been getting lots of ideas. It all started from a comment Bou posted: “…but when its below freezing and people don't have power... that is even scarier in my mind.” Holy Crap! I thought to myself (yes Bou, I say Holy Crap too, and it got me in trouble with my son’s teacher, but that’s a story for another day). I hate being cold as much as Bou and never in a million years would I, miss prepared for every disaster, ever have thought or even considered it a possibility. Don't know why I didn't think of it, especially since the very first citywide blackout in NYC occurred on a cold chilly day in November of 1963.

To quote Bones (BouÂ’s youngest): I would just die from the cold! Especially without the right gear. I hate even cold air conditioning in the summer. But all I need to make sure I donÂ’t freeze to death is 2 sub-zero sleeping bags (one for me and another for my son) and a solar panel pack with multiple connectors and capable of storing/converting enough solar power to run a heater in one room for a few hours, a laptop and a cell phone (the last 2 are essential to my mental stability and well being as a Gemini). Yesterday I briefly tested out a solar powered laptop backpack and a solar power charger (loaners from a colleague at work) . With it I was able to come home and set up my broadband and briefly get online (the pack needed to be charged before using it extensively). ItÂ’s now charging, while IÂ’m using my laptopÂ’s own battery to tap this out. If you see this post it means that I successfully charged the solar panel and was able to set up the wifi to get online and post.

The first time I used solar panel chargers was in 2000. I was living in the Philippines, and working as part of the advance team for setting up wi-fiÂ’s in remote areas, with little or no electricity, With the solar panels charging I would also use/charge my satellite phone and laptop.

Spurred on by the fear of dying a cruel frozen death, I did some research and discovered yesterday that with the right solar panel kit I would be able to run a heater for a few hours in the dead of winter. I also came across a solar panel charger for my Treo and found a Hurricane Solar Survival System, for both Bou and VW. If I discover any other interesting solar products, like a solar powered air conditioner (admit it, it makes perfect sense, especially in the South), IÂ’ll share it with you.

Posted by: Michele at 05:52 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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