A Power Backup System Will Help Get Through a Prolonged Power Outage

Solar power is nice if the sun is out.  This might solve your power supply in the daylight hours, provided there is no cloud cover, and if there is no snow on the roof.  Remember, solar panels work only if the sunlight can reach them.

Home use windmills are another option, although these smaller versions of large windmills are not seen very often.  If the power outage was caused by an ice storm, after the front moves past it is likely the weather will be clear in a high pressure system.  And, in the center of a high pressure system the winds drop and calm conditions occur.  This is not suitable for operating a windmill.

Gasoline Generators are another option, provided there is no widespread power outage.  In a widespread power outage you might have difficulty pumping gasoline to power your generator.

Gas generators are good as long as there is a gas supply.  If you are not served by natural gas, relying on purchased gas in tanks, or a large tank you have filled, might be a problem, especially if travel is not possible.

A good backup battery capable of alternating current output can get you through a power outage, provided you have a way to recharge the battery.  Yes, you can charge it prior to the emergency, but that will get you only so far.  If you have solar panels you might be able to use them to recharge the battery.  But, that takes planning ahead.  I have a special outlet connected to my solar panels that allows me to use them to recharge my backup battery. 

Solar panels on the roof work, but they are expensive.  Fortunately, there are portable solar panels available, which serve in an emergency and also work on camping trips.  A solar panel collects electrons that the sunlight dislodges.  The problem is the appliances in a home use alternating current, and need to be run at night. 

The refrigerator and the freezer protect your food supply, and must be kept cold.  The way around both the need for alternating current, and the need for current at night is met with a battery.  The battery is charged during the day, and can operate some appliances after the sun goes down.  But, not any battery will do.  You need a battery that has a converter from direct current to alternating current.  In fact, you would run your appliances through the battery in the day as well, even while the solar panel charges the battery.

Why would you use the battery in the day?  A solar panel operates while the sun is out, but one cloud temporarily cuts it off.  You do not need appliances turning on and off in short time spans.  The battery keeps the power on while the solar panel is not converting sunlight into electricity.  The appliances operate smoothly because of the battery.  And, the power can be converted to alternating current if the battery is properly chosen.

This will not run your entire house, but will keep the critical appliances operating.  In fact, my backup battery has a problem with operating anything with a battery, so your computer might not be a good thing to connect to your backup battery.  Check your particular system limitations.  Buy a kit and know you have all the needed parts.

Windmills are now available for home use.  They can generate power if there is wind.  But, just as with solar panels, there is a need for a backup battery for periods when the wind drops too low.  Some of tese are light weight, and can be easily handled.  And, many are rated for very low wind speeds.

Both solar power and wind turbines, if mounted for full time use, need to be phase matched with commercial power, and operate in a manner that commercial power automatically augments their output when they are not producing adequate power.  In a power failure, there is no commercial power.  The alternate system utilizes a battery to keep the power supplied at a normal level. 

In both solar power and wind power there is a need to disconnect from the commercial power during an outage.  This requires professional installation initially.  Back charging the power grid is hazardous to those who come in contact with the wires, including repair personnel

A portable generator is an excellent source of alternate power.  But, the generator often requires gasoline and motor oil.  As long as gasoline is available a portable generator that burns gasoline is an excellent choice.  However, keep it outdoors due to toxic gas emissons.  On the positive side this is a cheap alternate power source.

If you have gas service, and it is not subject to failure during a power outage a gas operated generator is ideal.  These are expensive, but are a good reliable option for an emergency source of power.  And, one of these can be inexpensive.

Even if you have no gas service, gas can be purchased.  Propane is readily available.  Just have enough to make it through the emergency.

Alternate power often comes in limited supply, unless you buy numerous batteries.  So, conserve usage of electrical power as much as possible, and divert as much from the battery as is possible, if one is used.

Supplement with LED lighting that uses small batteries, not your main power supply battery.  Find a hand can opener and buy it.  And use a battery operated radio or television for information.  Make your backup battery last and get through several days of power outage if necessary.

Also remember, solar and wind power is green power.  Do not neglect the environment just because there is an emergency.

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