How to survive in South Africa!!!!!

[mac_mac74]

Stock up on:
1. Generator
2. A portable ****house (with electricity probs , sewerage system is next to go).
3. Petrol / diesel - due to unexpected reliance on generators.
4. Food (due to shortage of the above)


feel welcome to add, as im sure im missing out here.

[Moederloos]

Stock up on:
1. Generator
2. A portable ****house (with electricity probs , sewerage system is next to go).
3. Petrol / diesel - due to unexpected reliance on generators.
4. Food (due to shortage of the above)


feel welcome to add, as im sure im missing out here.

5. Rainwater drum
6. MOST IMPORTANT: weaponry to protect 1-6(inclusive)

[1nsane!]

How to survive in South Africa: Be employed in the government . . .

or

Buy ticket to Germany and go stay there.

[Sebs]

Like many of us, I live in a townhouse complex. Generators and the storage of flammable liquids are not viable options. Two alternatives I am looking at are A). A large UPS for domestic use. This could drive the fridge and TV and some lighting for up to 40 hours. B). A small gas braai on my patio for some basic cooking in an emergency.

Don't forget to stock up on lots of non-perishable foodstuffs like tinned and dried. Don't rely on the contents of your freezer to see you through your "seige" period. Start filling old plastic bottles with tap water, just in case. Build up a stockpile of any chronic medication in case there's looting at your local pharmacy. Replenish your first-aid kit: there's going to be lots of accidents in the dark. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher at the ready and your family have been shown how to use it. Boil some water before you go to bed at night and keep it in a thermos flask so you can at least have a cuppa in the morning if there's no electricty. Keep a big supply of candles and matches. Invest in a small primus stove and a few litres of paraffin. Buy a torch with a recharge capability. Buy a small battery-run radio so you can listen to the public service announcements. Figure out how to open and close that automatic gate and garage door of yours when there's a power failure. Buy cold meats that don't require cooking rather than frozen chickens and raw beef.
Enjoy!

[Moederloos]

Like many of us, I live in a townhouse complex. Generators and the storage of flammable liquids are not viable options. Two alternatives I am looking at are A). A large UPS for domestic use. This could drive the fridge and TV and some lighting for up to 40 hours. B). A small gas braai on my patio for some basic cooking in an emergency.

Don't forget to stock up on lots of non-perishable foodstuffs like tinned and dried. Don't rely on the contents of your freezer to see you through your "seige" period. Start filling old plastic bottles with tap water, just in case. Build up a stockpile of any chronic medication in case there's looting at your local pharmacy. Replenish your first-aid kit: there's going to be lots of accidents in the dark. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher at the ready and your family have been shown how to use it. Boil some water before you go to bed at night and keep it in a thermos flask so you can at least have a cuppa in the morning if there's no electricty. Keep a big supply of candles and matches. Invest in a small primus stove and a few litres of paraffin. Buy a torch with a recharge capability. Figure out how to open and close that automatic gate and garage door of yours when there's a power failure. Buy cold meats that don't require cooking rather than frozen chickens and raw beef.
Enjoy!

40 hours on a UPS? Rather get 3-4 UPS at 8-10 hours each - or have you priced these?
I am getting an old UPS converted on Thursday - claims of 4-6 hours - will post when I get results :D

Rather buy bottled water at Woolies or something - I would hate to see what breeds in tap water after a week in a bottle. :sick:

I like the other ideas - had not even considered the meds etc.
Need to go shopping tomorrow. :(

[theratman]

40 hours on a UPS? Rather get 3-4 UPS at 8-10 hours each - or have you priced these?
I am getting an old UPS converted on Thursday - claims of 4-6 hours - will post when I get results :D

Rather buy bottled water at Woolies or something - I would hate to see what breeds in tap water after a week in a bottle. :sick:

I like the other ideas - had not even considered the meds etc.
Need to go shopping tomorrow. :(


yip them ups's that last ten hours are around 20K buy a small diesel generator instead

[Sebs]

40 hours on a UPS? Rather get 3-4 UPS at 8-10 hours each - or have you priced these?
I am getting an old UPS converted on Thursday - claims of 4-6 hours - will post when I get results :D

Rather buy bottled water at Woolies or something - I would hate to see what breeds in tap water after a week in a bottle. :sick:

I like the other ideas - had not even considered the meds etc.
Need to go shopping tomorrow. :(

Thanks. Yes, there are some domestic UPS options on the market although they are expensive (R7000 to R12000). They require installation by an electrician to your distribution board. Also note, I have edited my post and added the need to buy a small radio.

[theratman]

Thanks. Yes, there are some domestic UPS options on the market although they are expensive (R7000 to R12000). They require installation by an electrician to your distribution board. Also note, I have edited my post and added the need to buy a small radio.

if something does happen then i hope 5fm are the first radio station to get owned..i hate 5fm..i have my small radio and if 5fm were the last radio station on the planet i would have to break my small radio =)

[Sebs]

40 hours on a UPS? Rather get 3-4 UPS at 8-10 hours each - or have you priced these?
I am getting an old UPS converted on Thursday - claims of 4-6 hours - will post when I get results :D

Rather buy bottled water at Woolies or something - I would hate to see what breeds in tap water after a week in a bottle. :sick:

I like the other ideas - had not even considered the meds etc.
Need to go shopping tomorrow. :(

Thanks. Yes, there are some domestic UPS options on the market although they are expensive (R7000 to R12000). They require installation by an electrician to your distribution board. Also note, I have edited my post and added the need to buy a small radio.

[sox63]

Wow, you guys must have it bad!:eek:

Our power cuts happen for about an hour max (The one we know of). And are pretty constant, always just before 8pm, which suits me fine, I don't have to sit through another episode of Generations. We just have to have dinner a bit earlier than we used to. Otherwise not much disruption.

Just lucky I guess.:o

[Moederloos]

Wow, you guys must have it bad!:eek:

Our power cuts happen for about an hour max (The one we know of). And are pretty constant, always just before 8pm, which suits me fine, I don't have to sit through another episode of Generations. We just have to have dinner a bit earlier than we used to. Otherwise not much disruption.

Just lucky I guess.:o

sox63 - surely you have heard of Sandton's 6 hours+ "load sheds"?

[sox63]

sox63 - surely you have heard of Sandton's 6 hours+ "load sheds"?

Yeah I heard of them, I was just giving a picture of my situation. But then again, in my neck of the woods we don't use as much electricity as Sandton though.

[Sebs]

sox63: I tell you, man, go get that primus stove now!

[sox63]

sox63: I tell you, man, go get that primus stove now!

I have Cadac outdoor braai thingy. Just have to buy a different attachment.

Also gonna get a genny, nothing too big, just so I don't miss my fav shows.

[Robin Hood]

Stock up on:
2. A portable sh^thouse (with electricity probs , sewerage system is next to go)..

:D:D

[Robin Hood]

yip them ups's that last ten hours are around 20K buy a small diesel generator instead

http://www.powerboxes.co.za/pricelist.asp

[Sebs]

:D:D

A truck-load of toilet paper, as well - for those special occasions.:D

[Moederloos]

I got quoted R600 or so to convert my old UPS into one that will run 4 hours.
I have my doubts - but since I have an old UPS, I am gonna ask them to make me one and let me test it.

Stay tuned - be about a week before I can try it.

[Robin Hood]

http://www.powerboxes.co.za/pricelist.asp

Ill be selling the same units somewhere between mid to end February at nearly HALF those prices :D

[Moederloos]

What do you call a wooden outhouse constructed for use when the power is off?

A load shedding shed!

*groan*