Posted: 11/13/2012 1:29:27 PM EDT
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This guy, Steven Harris, is an energy prepper. He seems to be into low-impact prepping, as in, not having hundreds of guns, or living off the grid, but I really like his approach.
Some high points: Powering Home off an Inverter and Car Storing Fuel at Home Transferring Fuel Choosing Generators Neat Little Gizmos you need. His site: www.Solar1234.com |
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Quoted:
This guy, Steven Harris, is an energy prepper. He seems to be into low-impact prepping, as in, not having hundreds of guns, or living off the grid, but I really like his approach. Some high points: Powering Home off an Inverter and Car Storing Fuel at Home Transferring Fuel Choosing Generators Neat Little Gizmos you need. His site: www.Solar1234.com Harris is an egomanical condecending blowhard [although he's toned it down a bit recently] with some right answers IMO. Powering your home with an inverter from your car???? Yeah I heard that and as far as it goes it makes sense if you realize you won't be "powering your home" unless you live in a doll house. Which might not be a bad thing. 
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@ EXPY37:
I think last time you commented on Mr. Harris you called him a "ego-manical driven pompous blowhard" 
(From your Solar Panel topic) Quoted:
Harris is an egomanical condecending blowhard [although he's toned it down a bit recently] with some right answers IMO. Powering your home with an inverter from your car???? Yeah I heard that and as far as it goes it makes sense if you realize you won't be "powering your home" unless you live in a doll house. Which might not be a bad thing.
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I know about him from his various interviews on the survival podcast. His tone and delivery remind me of a car salesman, but dang if most of his stuff isn't spot on.
I really like his concept of running a inverter for tv, lights, and freezer from your car, and two family members have purchased inverters to use as he describes during emergencies. |
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This guy, Steven Harris, is an energy prepper. He seems to be into low-impact prepping, as in, not having hundreds of guns, or living off the grid, but I really like his approach. Some high points: Powering Home off an Inverter and Car Storing Fuel at Home Transferring Fuel Choosing Generators Neat Little Gizmos you need. His site: www.Solar1234.com Considering how horribly inefficient and limited this would be, I don't think powering your home by idling your car to run an inverter should really be "Plan A." |
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Considering how horribly inefficient and limited this would be, I don't think powering your home by idling your car to run an inverter should really be "Plan A." Man, I get shivers just thinking about how hellishly inefficient that would be 
At night during a power outage I shut down the genset and rig for quiet, using a 440Ah battery bank and a Xantrex Trace inverter. |
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He got a little out there when he got into keeping a 15 gallon barrel of gas in your apartment closet and refueling by siphon while driving. I just listened to this episode recently and regarding the siphoning, I don't think he was actually doing that while driving. He implied or even stated that he would do the refuel once pulled over or stopped. I would definitely not be on board with a "hot fuel" type scenario. Then regarding his comments about storing a 15 gallon barrel of gas in your closet, I would never do that personally. However, was he that off base? The HDPE barrel he's referring to if totally sealed as he mentioned would not be a risk right? No vapors, no fumes, no risk? I've seen the arguments and other threads regarding non-DOT approved HDPE containers and their use of storing fuel and I'm not trying to start that up in here, just saying I guess I didn't think he was that off base. |
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He got a little out there when he got into keeping a 15 gallon barrel of gas in your apartment closet and refueling by siphon while driving. I just listened to this episode recently and regarding the siphoning, I don't think he was actually doing that while driving. He implied or even stated that he would do the refuel once pulled over or stopped. I would definitely not be on board with a "hot fuel" type scenario. Then regarding his comments about storing a 15 gallon barrel of gas in your closet, I would never do that personally. However, was he that off base? The HDPE barrel he's referring to if totally sealed as he mentioned would not be a risk right? No vapors, no fumes, no risk? I've seen the arguments and other threads regarding non-DOT approved HDPE containers and their use of storing fuel and I'm not trying to start that up in here, just saying I guess I didn't think he was that off base. The way I heard it was he uses a 1/4 inch fuel line hose siphon to the 15 gallon barrel while driving, he waits till he's down to 1/4 tank before starting it, 20 gallon tank etc.. The barrel is tied to the side of the truck bed next to the gas tank. Sounds safer than storing gas in an apartment scenario at least, doesn't mean I'd do either thou. My time is not that short I hope lol Blackops_1. |
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Quoted: Then regarding his comments about storing a 15 gallon barrel of gas in your closet, I would never do that personally. However, was he that off base? The HDPE barrel he's referring to if totally sealed as he mentioned would not be a risk right? No vapors, no fumes, no risk? I've seen the arguments and other threads regarding non-DOT approved HDPE containers and their use of storing fuel and I'm not trying to start that up in here, just saying I guess I didn't think he was that off base. If you're the fireman trying to search that smoldering building for kids when that barrel finally goes...? |
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Considering how horribly inefficient and limited this would be, I don't think powering your home by idling your car to run an inverter should really be "Plan A." Man, I get shivers just thinking about how hellishly inefficient that would be
At night during a power outage I shut down the genset and rig for quiet, using a 440Ah battery bank and a Xantrex Trace inverter. I think Steve's point was that anyone can cheaply get into an inverter/car setup. He's just outlining the very basic preps anyone and everyone should be doing. I forget if it was Steve or the podcast guy but they mentioned they prefer your "run silent and run deep" setup, battery at night and gen during the day actually. Thats what I'd like to get eventually but I'm still researching how much a battery bank will cost for my load(s). Considering I don't get many outages in my area (knocks on wood).
Btw does anyone know any other podcast/mp3 sources that are good for power/ heat the house / cook food concerns? Blackops_1. |
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Then regarding his comments about storing a 15 gallon barrel of gas in your closet, I would never do that personally. However, was he that off base? The HDPE barrel he's referring to if totally sealed as he mentioned would not be a risk right? No vapors, no fumes, no risk? I've seen the arguments and other threads regarding non-DOT approved HDPE containers and their use of storing fuel and I'm not trying to start that up in here, just saying I guess I didn't think he was that off base. If you're the fireman trying to search that smoldering building for kids when that barrel finally goes...? that would make a bad day for us. since we dont use foam on residential structure fires, adding 15gal of petrol to a room and contents fire is going to turn it into a fully involved structure fire and is probably going to end up with a firefighter kicking your ass after all your shit has burned up. and no, that isnt a GD reply, that is a fact. you almost kill me or a fellow firefighter because you have fuel stored in a residential living area and i can promise you bad things are going to happen if one of us get hurt/killed because of it. |
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Then regarding his comments about storing a 15 gallon barrel of gas in your closet, I would never do that personally. However, was he that off base? The HDPE barrel he's referring to if totally sealed as he mentioned would not be a risk right? No vapors, no fumes, no risk? I've seen the arguments and other threads regarding non-DOT approved HDPE containers and their use of storing fuel and I'm not trying to start that up in here, just saying I guess I didn't think he was that off base. If you're the fireman trying to search that smoldering building for kids when that barrel finally goes...? that would make a bad day for us. since we dont use foam on residential structure fires, adding 15gal of petrol to a room and contents fire is going to turn it into a fully involved structure fire and is probably going to end up with a firefighter kicking your ass after all your shit has burned up. and no, that isnt a GD reply, that is a fact. you almost kill me or a fellow firefighter because you have fuel stored in a residential living area and i can promise you bad things are going to happen if one of us get hurt/killed because of it. You're exactly right guys, point taken. Had tunnel vision and was only thinking through one set of lenses. Which is why I asked the question. 
So taking that further if I may continue the hijack, if I store fuel in (3) 5 gallon tanks in an external storage shed is that considered as dangerous or inappropriate to firefighters and/or other scenarios? |
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He got a little out there when he got into keeping a 15 gallon barrel of gas in your apartment closet and refueling by siphon while driving. I just listened to this episode recently and regarding the siphoning, I don't think he was actually doing that while driving. He implied or even stated that he would do the refuel once pulled over or stopped. I would definitely not be on board with a "hot fuel" type scenario. Then regarding his comments about storing a 15 gallon barrel of gas in your closet, I would never do that personally. However, was he that off base? The HDPE barrel he's referring to if totally sealed as he mentioned would not be a risk right? No vapors, no fumes, no risk? I've seen the arguments and other threads regarding non-DOT approved HDPE containers and their use of storing fuel and I'm not trying to start that up in here, just saying I guess I didn't think he was that off base. The non-DOT container isn't really the issue, nor is the type of container at all. That's just a container that's not approve for use in transportation. I'm betting there are fire code provisions on how much fuel you can store in various types of places, though my vague recollection is that the limits are generally higher than 15 gallons even in residential structures. |
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So taking that further if I may continue the hijack, if I store fuel in (3) 5 gallon tanks in an external storage shed is that considered as dangerous or inappropriate to firefighters and/or other scenarios? The fire code applicable to your location should answer that for you. If it's stored in an unattached, separate shed, the amount you can store probably goes up considerably. I think the IFC allows (2) 5 gallon containers inside an attached garage/basement/etc. |
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that would make a bad day for us. since we dont use foam on residential structure fires, adding 15gal of petrol to a room and contents fire is going to turn it into a fully involved structure fire and is probably going to end up with a firefighter kicking your ass after all your shit has burned up. and no, that isnt a GD reply, that is a fact. you almost kill me or a fellow firefighter because you have fuel stored in a residential living area and i can promise you bad things are going to happen if one of us get hurt/killed because of it. Would you kick their ass if they only had 10 gallons, in approved containers? Because that's allowed under the Virginia Statewide Fire Code. |
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I use an inverter to power my furnace. That way I do not have to use my larger 8500w genny. The inverter sips gas and is just enough to power the furnace which will only be run periodically to warm the house up to 78. At 78 it gets shut off, and when the temp is 64, I fire it back up. I only have to run the inverter for 30-45 min. every 6-7 hours this way. Run time for a gallon of gas at load is about 7 hours, so a 5 gallon can of gas enough for me to keep the blower running for heat for about one week. I use the larger generator to provide temporary electric power to keep the refrigerators and freezers at temperature, and while they are on I let the kids watch TV, we charge batteries, and use small kitchen appliances. By keeping the two separate, I conserve more fuel. Energy management is key during long power outages. That said, I only have enough fuel for about 3 weeks. The longest I have had to go is 5 days. If you haven't sat down and figured out what items will use power, and how long your fuel will last, it would be a good idea to do so, then write it down.
A good friend of mine in NJ thought he was set with 10 gallons of gas and a 4500w generator. He fired up his genny after the storm to get heat and some light and then just let it run. He burned through the gas in less than a day, and when he went to find more, there was none to be found. He ended up draining some fuel from their second car to power the generator which he then conserved after that. Again, it is good to have a rationing plan. |
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that would make a bad day for us. since we dont use foam on residential structure fires, adding 15gal of petrol to a room and contents fire is going to turn it into a fully involved structure fire and is probably going to end up with a firefighter kicking your ass after all your shit has burned up. and no, that isnt a GD reply, that is a fact. you almost kill me or a fellow firefighter because you have fuel stored in a residential living area and i can promise you bad things are going to happen if one of us get hurt/killed because of it. Would you kick their ass if they only had 10 gallons, in approved containers? Because that's allowed under the Virginia Statewide Fire Code. i know you are a lawyer but you may want to recheck your source on that. anything more than 10Gals has to be stored in an approved flammable liquid cabinet, less than 10 gals can only be stored in approved containers that are stored in a private garage OR approve location. in a closet is NOT an approved location. so as the person i quoted, there example was over the legal limit as well as stored in a non approved container in a non approved location. if you would like to check yourself its chapter 34 flammable and combustible liquids 3404.3.4.4 |
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I use an inverter to power my furnace. That way I do not have to use my larger 8500w genny. The inverter sips gas and is just enough to power the furnace which will only be run periodically to warm the house up to 78. At 78 it gets shut off, and when the temp is 64, I fire it back up. I only have to run the inverter for 30-45 min. every 6-7 hours this way. Run time for a gallon of gas at load is about 7 hours, so a 5 gallon can of gas enough for me to keep the blower running for heat for about one week. I use the larger generator to provide temporary electric power to keep the refrigerators and freezers at temperature, and while they are on I let the kids watch TV, we charge batteries, and use small kitchen appliances. By keeping the two separate, I conserve more fuel. Energy management is key during long power outages. That said, I only have enough fuel for about 3 weeks. The longest I have had to go is 5 days. If you haven't sat down and figured out what items will use power, and how long your fuel will last, it would be a good idea to do so, then write it down. A good friend of mine in NJ thought he was set with 10 gallons of gas and a 4500w generator. He fired up his genny after the storm to get heat and some light and then just let it run. He burned through the gas in less than a day, and when he went to find more, there was none to be found. He ended up draining some fuel from their second car to power the generator which he then conserved after that. Again, it is good to have a rationing plan. you are talking about an inverter genny, we are talking about an inverter that takes 12vDC(or higher DC source) to 120vAC. totally different creature. |
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i know you are a lawyer but you may want to recheck your source on that. anything more than 10Gals has to be stored in an approved flammable liquid cabinet, less than 10 gals can only be stored in approved containers that are stored in a private garage OR approve location. in a closet is NOT an approved location. so as the person i quoted, there example was over the legal limit as well as stored in a non approved container in a non approved location. if you would like to check yourself its chapter 34 flammable and combustible liquids 3404.3.4.4 What's an "approved location?" And I already looked at Chapter 34.
Also, the more generally applicable part of Chapter 34 states that for Group R occupancies, flammable liquids may be kept up to the limits set forth in Table 2703.1.1(1) in Chapter 27. That table allows for storage of up to 30 gallons. So the code isn't quite as clear as you seem to think. Certainly not to the point that you should be so sure that you'd beat someone up over it. |
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i know you are a lawyer but you may want to recheck your source on that. anything more than 10Gals has to be stored in an approved flammable liquid cabinet, less than 10 gals can only be stored in approved containers that are stored in a private garage OR approve location. in a closet is NOT an approved location. so as the person i quoted, there example was over the legal limit as well as stored in a non approved container in a non approved location. if you would like to check yourself its chapter 34 flammable and combustible liquids 3404.3.4.4 What's an "approved location?" And I already looked at Chapter 34.
Also, the more generally applicable part of Chapter 34 states that for Group R occupancies, flammable liquids may be kept up to the limits set forth in Table 2703.1.1(1) in Chapter 27. That table allows for storage of up to 30 gallons. So the code isn't quite as clear as you seem to think. Certainly not to the point that you should be so sure that you'd beat someone up over it. an "approved location" is NOT in the living area. |
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i know you are a lawyer but you may want to recheck your source on that. anything more than 10Gals has to be stored in an approved flammable liquid cabinet, less than 10 gals can only be stored in approved containers that are stored in a private garage OR approve location. in a closet is NOT an approved location. so as the person i quoted, there example was over the legal limit as well as stored in a non approved container in a non approved location. if you would like to check yourself its chapter 34 flammable and combustible liquids 3404.3.4.4 What's an "approved location?" And I already looked at Chapter 34.
Also, the more generally applicable part of Chapter 34 states that for Group R occupancies, flammable liquids may be kept up to the limits set forth in Table 2703.1.1(1) in Chapter 27. That table allows for storage of up to 30 gallons. So the code isn't quite as clear as you seem to think. Certainly not to the point that you should be so sure that you'd beat someone up over it. an "approved location" is NOT in the living area. Where is that defined in the Code? Just kidding. I don't want to sidetrack this thread any further. Suffice it to say that the fire code is a contradictory and unwieldly beast. It's not always obvious. |
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Emphasis on "APARTMENT" and "CLOSET".
Just bothered me that the suggestion might put 15 gallons of gas on the other side of a wall where someone might be sleeping. Go home and pour a gallon of water on your kitchen floor and see how far just one gallon spreads. That said, I've always had between 2 and 7 gallons in my attached garage. But I'm getting nervous about it now that I'm trying to keep more on hand. I'm slowly buying up cinder blocks and bags of quick-crete to build a small secure "fuel dump" out away from the house, since I don't currently have a storage shed. |
| The nice thing about an inverter vs a generator is there is nothing to maintain, not start because it's cold out, easy to move, cheep and can run off of any vehicle with an alternator. It is not an efficient way to make power but if you have a 3000 watt inverter bolted to your garage wall any car/truck you can get in range of your alligator clips can power you up. Long term use would be a logistic issue but to run your freezer compressor for an hour a day, run your furnace or air for a while to take the edge off and charge up electronics it works good. I've personally used one to run pumps during a flood when the power went out and it saved my bacon while everyone else watched their basements fill up. |
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In True Arfcom Wisdom
Get Both! 
I have a bank of 6 deep cycle batteries, a Xantrex 2Kw inverter, and small generator. At night, run deep freeze, computer & furnace in stealth mode. My house with all the usual stuff, lights, computer, freezer, refrigerator ( minus central AC or the 220V clothes dryer) uses about 500 watts an hour. Turn off all the luxuries, and I need only maybe 100 watts an hour overnight. Done that a couple times in the last 6 years. Big wind storm with 100mph winds that shut down the city metro area for a week, and a couple years later Big ice storm that shattered trees and powerlines for another week. All i had was a tiny 700watt generator and two deep cycle batteries and an inverter. I had cold beer, TV, window fan, (or furnace, depending on the season ) computer and music. Generator by day, deep cycle by night. Using a car to power an inverter isn't as efficient, but it's a good secondary. |