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22 Comments

  1. re:
    ‘watt’ vs Watt

    Scotland produces some fine additions to Western Knowledge. Among them is inventor James Watt.

    I’m a Perfessional Edtior (you that read right), so I tend to be fussy about traditional use of capitalization of the names of people… and the units of measure derived from those names.

    I realize the degradation of language does not, necessarily, preceed the collapse of a civilization. However, I feel a duty to stand in support of our Western Values and our Western Heritage.

    Others may snicker at my, admittedly, futile attempts. I can assure you, few earthly possessions are as important to me. As long as I have breath, our Western Traditions will not be discarded!

    Watt might agree.

  2. I believe that it is necessary to have at least 4-5 methods of producing fire at minimum. My favorite method is using a Tonteldoos. Bic lighters should be your primary method if you are cold and wet as they are faster. Learn and master several methods and build yourself a good fire kit that’ll stay on your belt.

    1. Add this to the ways to build a fire when you are with/near your vehicle.

      Since vehicles come without cigarette lighters today, drop by an automotive supply store/dealership, buy one for a few bucks, and place it in the (now) 12v outlet.

      1. DO.NOT.DO.THAT! The “cigarette lighter” outlet in late model cars CANNOT take the heat of an old-school lighter being plugged into them! They are 12VDC outlets; that is it!

        1. Sorry about that, but I didn’t make it up. I was told that very thing in a class earlier this month that was taught by a nationally known survival personality who was emphasizing the need for having as many ways possible to start a fire.

          Given your comment, I suggest that anyone interested in the idea should check with their auto mechanic before trying the idea.

          1. That is why they are called “12-volt power ports”. My 1995 Chevy pickup has several “power ports” but only one “cigarette lighter”. The manual warns not to plug the lighter into the wrong socket. The “Expert” is correct, you will start a fire. Just not the kind of fire you want.

  3. It always amazes me how much value we place on air conditioning. How did our ancestors ever get by without it? A hundred years ago AC was all but unheard of in homes or vehicles, yet people lived and thrived in the south for a long time without it, despite the need for manual labor being higher and the clothing options excluded breathable synthetics back then.

    It would seem prudent that, along with a robust exercise routine, people should condition themselves for life without luxuries such as AC. The way we build houses nowadays makes them sweatboxes in the summer when the power goes out. We used to camp in a travel trailer that didn’t have AC when it was 90+ degrees outside. Even with all the windows open, if you aren’t well adapted to it, you are going to be miserable, and that was with minimal physical exertion. We spent a lot of time in the water back then. Getting a sunburn and trying to sleep in a 80+ degree trailer is not possible without being significantly medicated.

    1. Why?! This is 2019 not 1919. I like and enjoy ac. When I bought my generator, I factored in the ability to run one. My mentality is to thrive not just survive. I happen to enjoy modern conveniences. If it’s 90*+ outside, it’s usually going to be hotter inside a structure. How effective will you be in doing anything outside when you can get no relief. I just don’t buy the outdated minimalist thinking. If you’re gonna do something, do it right.

    2. Another option is to choose where you live. There are many options to live where you do not need air conditioning. Our new house does not have air conditioning and even though last summer there was record heat, our house was still quite comfortable inside.
      Many people can decide to live anywhere. They have jobs where they work from home or they are retired. We chose to have our survival in mind when we moved last time.

    3. My uncle Ishmael lived in Alabama all his life, out in the “sticks” w/o AC. He wore long sleeve shirts and overalls day in and day out, no matter the season.

      He could do it because he had lived that way all his life.

      For those of us that have been spoiled, living w/o AC will be tough. And the only way to “condition” ourselves now is to give it up now, for the rest of our lives.

      I wonder how many can live that way or would be willing to live that way.

      1. I live without AC…in the winter.

        Seriously, adaptation can be hastened with physical exercise and upping water intake. Be careful to also add electrolytes, esp. NaCl.

        Carry on

    4. Grandee,
      We opened a window. And it wasn’t a 100 years ago, it was less than 50. In 65 only NASA or Ratheon could afford air conditioning, but hardly anyone else could.

      With flow through ventilation we also didn’t have black mold, that is a byproduct of condensation caused from continuously shutting our houses up.

    5. A better solution: do not just buy the 12-volt replacement cigarette lighter. Buy the complete package: cigarette lighter and the socket that goes with it. Note that the socket is all metal, with an insulating disc at far end with the positive contact. This allows the socket to withstand the intense heat of the cigarette lighter element when it is pushed in to heat up.

      Confirm how much amperage the heating element will draw. A wild guess would be around 15 amps. Always connect to a source of 12 volts that can provide that amount of amperage and use an in-line fuse! Modern 12-volt “Power Ports” have thin metal housings surrounded by plastic. A traditional automotive cigarette lighter will probably draw more current than the power port can provide, causing the wiring in the dash to overheat. The intense heat from the lighter element will also melt the surrounding plastic.

      I purchased a 12-volt outlet box at a truck stop recently. It has four sockets for plugging in 12-volt accessories. ONE socket is designed for use with a cigarette lighter and has an illuminated ring around it, making it more visible at night. It is fused at 15 amps. This would be the safer way to go.

  4. Are you saying “watt” should be capitalized? I tend to agree with you, but I have seen watt as a unit of measure not capitalized. I do not know all the rules of grammar, so I am asking, not being snide.

  5. I guess I didn’t make it clear but an electrical transfer switch is a legal requirement when hooking up a generator (I believe all across the USA). Also if you have no transfer switch and do not shut off your main breaker you Will be back-feeding the whole electric line. Your generator will Not have enough power to do that and you will likely think your new generator is broken.

  6. With regard to hot weather and modern houses; they were designed with the idea that air conditioning would be available. The old buildings, prior to AC, had high ceilings with high, double hung windows that could be opened at the top to aid air circulation. (since hot air rises.)
    Cross ventilation and ventilation shafts were also used extensively to encourage air movement through the living spaces.
    They were much more comfortable in hot weather than the current hot boxes are.

    1. As an architectural designer, I agree. I primarily design homes for people and one of the first questions I ask is ‘do you like to open your windows’? Amazing how high the percentage is of people that say they never open their windows. It’s either heating season or cooling season. My family lives in a 135 year old farm house. We have 31 windows in our house and it has to be 95+ for several days before we turn on the ac. The breeze is always blowing through here.

  7. I am looking at the UP of Michigan. It is my understanding that they do not need AC or need it very rarely. When it is needed window units are enough. Size your generator properly.

  8. Folks, I don’t mean to demean anyone, but AC is not a survival issue except for for really old folks in hot climates during heat waves.

    I don’t want to come across as a tough guy, because I love my comforts and snivel gear as much as anyone, but if we’re serious about survival, we’re going to need to accept a lot of discomfort.

    1. Well said, brother. Comfort or survival. Many situations will offer a stark choice.

      Enjoy modern conveniences while you can. And, be careful of developing a dependency on them. Subjecting one’s self to intentional discomfort as a habit will prepare you for many eventualities short of complete SHTF.

      Carry on

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