Load Shedding - the all in one thread

Load shedding survival guide

My area here in Centurion has been without power for more than five hours now probably due to load shedding or cable theft. Its now a reality of life in SA that we have to live with.

Let's hear a few tips and tricks on how to survive extended power failures. What can and should we do, and what not?

I heard a talk on radio the other day about dry ice and how one can use that to keep stuff frozen for many days without power.
 
Have a mental picture of what is in your fridge and where.

Buy a gas stove or hotplate.
 
Get a battery powered lamp or something.

Get a generator.

Get some matches and candles.

Get a PSP to pass the time while you're waiting for power.
 
thedoc! said:
Are your gates / security systems not at risk with the outages?
Click to expand...

Yes for sure. Electric gate stands open. Electric fence is down.

Tip: Charge cellphone and laptop at work before going home and at home before going to work. Grab the power when you can still get it.
 
Not sure how affordable solar is these days but economy of scale may make it more affordable.
 
Trafeye said:
My area here in Centurion has been without power for more than five hours now probably due to load shedding or cable theft. Its now a reality of life in SA that we have to live with.

Let's hear a few tips and tricks on how to survive extended power failures. What can and should we do, and what not?

I heard a talk on radio the other day about dry ice and how one can use that to keep stuff frozen for many days without power.
Click to expand...

Reality is you need a certain number of Kilowatts to run some essential stuff at home (lights, fridges, security systems, gates, doors, internet connection!) and the guys selling the generators / UPS's are making a killing. Often the quality of the kit being offered implies the buyer should be doing the killing.....

Some of the cheapie petrol systems you can buy at retail stores create so many harmonics and are not close to 50Hz that they do more damage than good. As always, caveat emptor.

Currently a decent 30KW+ diesel genset will set you back anything between R40K and R80K.....:(

A very good business to get into over the next few years....;)

Maybe we can invoice the utility provider?
 
Cycling is good for load shedding ... especially if the bike is stationary and connected to a dynamo :D
 
vodacom3g said:
Reality is you need a certain number of Kilowatts to run some essential stuff at home (lights, fridges, security systems, gates, doors, internet connection!) and the guys selling the generators / UPS's are making a killing. Often the quality of the kit being offered implies the buyer should be doing the killing.....

Some of the cheapie petrol systems you can buy at retail stores create so many harmonics and are not close to 50Hz that they do more damage than good. As always, caveat emptor.

Currently a decent 30KW+ diesel genset will set you back anything between R40K and R80K.....:(

A very good business to get into over the next few years....;)

Maybe we can invoice the utility provider?
Click to expand...

I wanted to ask this exact question now ... can those with the knowledge please advise us dummies on what generators to buy. What should we look at? Which brands are good, and which are bad?
 
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