Batteries. I knew you’d get a charge out of that!
I was reading an on-going BLOG of a gentleman in post-hyper-inflationary Argentina. The middle class had been decimated, poverty and corruption was everywhere and crime was one of those things that happened to *YOU* – unless you were very, very careful.
Batteries can make daily life with unstable electrical infrastructures easier – and safer. For example, they can power a infrared, portable water purifier, a small personal fan, night-vision optics, LED flashlights, radios and even small LED reading lamps. By being pro-active now you can minimize the impact failures in the electrical infrastructure will have on you.
Here are some general guidelines, recommendations and tips:
General Guidelines:
a. First of all, it’s best to focus on the most common standards. They are in order of smallest to largest (storage capacity): AAA, AA, C, D, 9Volt, 6-Volt. From those, the AAA and AA are by far the most common while the others are slowly phasing out. Thus, it is prudent to standardize your purchases on AAA and AA batteries as they will be the easiest and most inexpensive to obtain before an emergency. There are many other types available, avoid these, as they will be hard to source in difficult times (many are manufactured overseas).
* You can purchase inexpensive – under $2.00 (Canadian) adapters which allow you to use AA batteries in devices requiring C or D batteries. You’re run time will be significantly less, however, you won’t have to stock as many sizes of batteries and chargers. Remember, Keep-It-Simple-Stupid, or KISS is a good rule to follow.
b. Keep in mind, during an emergency situation, they (AAA, AA batteries) will also be the first stocks to deplete. For those in a hurricane (typhoon, cyclone) , earthquake or other disaster zone, you probably noticed a mad panic of people prior to any warnings and the same old essentials being grabbed first. Thus, *YOU* want to prepare well ahead of any emergency events as stores and the entire infrastructure of westernized nations work in an Just In Time (JIT) environment. In other words, there is no inventory and any surges above normal purchasing habits or any disruptions to lengthy supply chains will result in empty shelves.
c. Remember, electrical power in westernized nations will likely be increasingly intermittent in the near future. Not only is the electrical grid obsolete and in desperate need of infrastructure improvements, BUT, electrical generation will soon be in question due to economic issues (possible collapse of the US dollar, credit crises..) and supply limitations (think: peak oil). Study modern day South Africa and it’s decent from a first work nation into a Zimbabwe-like 3rd world nation. The electrical infrastructure is already intermittent, load shedding (rotating blackouts) common, power theft (Illegals hookups) are widespread and for all this, rates to paying customers are being as*-raped!
In other words, purchase recharger’s and batteries which charge quickly. Many rechargeable battery systems require at least 8 hours to recharge. Some require 24 hours. Thats way too long. Purchase 15-minute rechargeable metal hydride battery systems. Introduced a few years ago, they are, being phased out so act quickly. You can still find stock at bargain liquidation prices on the internet. For example, I recently purchased several 15-minute NOMA 120 V recharger complete with 6 -AA 15 minute batteries and 4-AA batteries for $20.00 (Canadian). The same unit sans additional batteries sold at Canadian Tire for around $70 not too long ago. These items were new and not refurbished.
As a complimenting strategy, also purchase additional rechargeable batteries which have a very long shelf life. Some batteries discharge on the shelf in a matter of weeks, others, last up to 7 years. Thus, use the 15-minute batteries which discharge without use as your primary batteries and use the long-shelf life batteries as required during longer blackout or brownout periods.
aMGHOW (V1.0)
Disclaimer: I’m just an “average Joe”, what do I know? Do take what I write for entertainment purposes ONLY, consider my posts to be written by a imbecile, or even as the mummers of a mad-man! In other words, in no shape or form do I accept any liability for what I: have written, will write, or am writing! Likewise for what I have copied, will copy or am copying! Hey got to cover my past, present and future! Likewise, no full posts or excerpts shall be copied off this site or sued without asking for my permission first. Hey, it’s cool if some men use it but sorry, this stuff isn’t for feminists.
