How to survive off the Eskom grid

Bradley Prior

Bradley Prior

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How to survive off the Eskom grid

The grim reality of load-shedding has returned to South Africa, with citizens once again being subjected to rolling blackouts on a regular basis.

These scheduled outages not only damage the economy and affect the productivity of businesses, but are also painfully frustrating to individuals.
 
Laptop and already owned led's do the trick. Money is going out of country, these bastards aren't getting it
 
Cheap and easy?

Bought some of these at PnP Hyper a few weeks back for R149 each:
MAGNETO Rechargeable Led Lantern Black
https://www.makro.co.za/sports-and-...Fjlsftad1sJVYPIdnA9MQ6xw7dMNjlsIaAm0iEALw_wcB

Have 2 of these, one for boiling the camping whistle kettle, the other for heating food or using both for food stuff (Bushbaby is the Checkers brand name). The little gas cannisters are R25 each at Checkers:
ALVA/Bushbaby Single Burner Canister Stove
https://www.makro.co.za/sports-and-...LNj33LC6t4C6dtOZiIR2jQ6Rwnag6KO4aAjnIEALw_wcB
 
supersunbird said:
Cheap and easy?

Bought some of these at PnP Hyper a few weeks back for R149 each:
MAGNETO Rechargeable Led Lantern Black
https://www.makro.co.za/sports-and-...Fjlsftad1sJVYPIdnA9MQ6xw7dMNjlsIaAm0iEALw_wcB

Have 2 of these, one for boiling the camping whistle kettle, the other for heating food or using both for food stuff (Bushbaby is the Checkers brand name). The little gas cannisters are R25 each at Checkers:
ALVA/Bushbaby Single Burner Canister Stove
https://www.makro.co.za/sports-and-...LNj33LC6t4C6dtOZiIR2jQ6Rwnag6KO4aAjnIEALw_wcB
Click to expand...
The solar powered lights work better.
It's a schlep to keep recharging.
 
There are so many solutions and alternatives to this load shedding that our late forefather Jacob Zuma invented (google it, was never there b4, Gupta etc bla bla bla)

I must say I kinda enjoy the whole load shedding, especially after works hours. I am at home and get a chance to just switch off from all our 'noise'. I have seen families brought closer playing Monoplay games and card games :)
 
supersunbird said:
Cheap and easy?

Bought some of these at PnP Hyper a few weeks back for R149 each:
MAGNETO Rechargeable Led Lantern Black
https://www.makro.co.za/sports-and-...Fjlsftad1sJVYPIdnA9MQ6xw7dMNjlsIaAm0iEALw_wcB

Have 2 of these, one for boiling the camping whistle kettle, the other for heating food or using both for food stuff (Bushbaby is the Checkers brand name). The little gas cannisters are R25 each at Checkers:
ALVA/Bushbaby Single Burner Canister Stove
https://www.makro.co.za/sports-and-outdoor/alva-/br-220g-single-burner-canister-stove-290500EA?gclid=Cj0KCQiArqPgBRCRARIsAPwlHoUljNRUUluCnObOx_KFeEFLNj33LC6t4C6dtOZiIR2jQ6Rwnag
Click to expand...

I have 2x Magnetos; Makro was selling them for 149 a pop when I was there this week. They are awesome for in between lamps.

Ahaha after camp equestrian for 8 days without power my camping gear has increased. However we now have decent gas stove / hob which is great.

WaxLyrical said:
The solar powered lights work better.
It's a schlep to keep recharging.
Click to expand...
Once a month is a schlep? :unsure:
Or running them directly from the socket? :unsure: :unsure:
 
ekske1 said:
Once a month is a schlep? :unsure:
Or running them directly from the socket?:unsure::unsure:
Click to expand...

That one especially. Keeping it plugged in is a greater schlep than making sure the solar panel gets sun and the things are charged? BTW, the Magnetos can take 9v solar for charging.

I have 6 of the white ultratecs that are a bit old and thus have dead batteries, need to go to Communica this weekend and buy some. Those batteries are much more of a schlep to replace than the Magneto ones.
 
ekske1 said:
I have 2x Magnetos; Makro was selling them for 149 a pop when I was there this week. They are awesome for in between lamps.

Ahaha after camp equestrian for 8 days without power my camping gear has increased. However we now have decent gas stove / hob which is great.

Once a month is a schlep? :unsure:
Or running them directly from the socket? :unsure: :unsure:
Click to expand...
I feel that moving forward solar is the way to go where possible.
Never know how bad it can get.
 
supersunbird said:
That one especially. Keeping it plugged in is a greater schlep that making sure the solar panel gets sun? BTW, the Magnetos can take 9v solar for charging.

I have 6 of the white ultratecs that have dead batteries, need to go to Communica this weekend and buy some.
Click to expand...

Other fun thing about them, you can easily turn them into solar kits.
 
WaxLyrical said:
I feel that moving forward solar is the way to go where possible.
Never know how bad it can get.
Click to expand...

How is solar going to help you when the grid collapse?

Who is going to keep your food cold before you buy them, who is going to < insert >. So unless you are fully living of the grid and already providing for yourself from your own land, having solar isn't going to solve everything. Espcially if DDay arrives.

I am not even talking about "the walking dead" scavengers running about for food and drink... Better get those solar turrets and defenses going.
 
ekske1 said:
How is solar going to help you when the grid collapse?

Who is going to keep your food cold before you buy them, who is going to < insert >. So unless you are fully living of the grid and already providing for yourself from your own land, having solar isn't going to solve everything. Espcially if DDay arrives.

I am not even talking about "the walking dead" scavengers running about for food and drink... Better get those solar turrets and defenses going.
Click to expand...
We're discussing lights at night.
 
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supersunbird said:
That one especially. Keeping it plugged in is a greater schlep than making sure the solar panel gets sun and the things are charged? BTW, the Magnetos can take 9v solar for charging.

I have 6 of the white ultratecs that are a bit old and thus have dead batteries, need to go to Communica this weekend and buy some. Those batteries are much more of a schlep to replace than the Magneto ones.
Click to expand...

My batteries is still working. I think because of my OCD, I follow the instructions and charge them every 3 months, even when they weren't used. To prevent the battery from draining to a point of no return.
 
beans100 said:
My batteries is still working. I think because of my OCD, I follow the instructions and charge them every 3 months, even when they weren't used. To prevent the battery from draining to a point of no return.
Click to expand...

Who knows how old they were when I bought them on 50% off sale? They were always plugged in after buying. After a year or 2 they held no charge.
 
Will probably go the inverter route again. Did it at the previous house - cost a bloody fortune but super handy.
 
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