The Perfect Storm

[lonewolf]

Originally Posted by daepp

Webb - please don't PARF this up.

+1

Not the time to discuss that.

This is time to help.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Buckterrier

Read below please.

Mark - Thanks for the update on Vinny. I can only imagine the stories he will have when things settle back down a bit....

Best wishes to all Pelicans and their associates who are dealing with this mess...

[NeedSpace]

I have seen quite a number of down trees and powerlines. If I get a chance, I'll take some pics of all the cars with trees on them, I have seen at least 1/2 dozen of them around my block.

[NeedSpace]

At least the power companies are making progress, there are half as many triangles here than there were a day or so ago. Each triangle represents the number of outages, each outage represents many homes, each home has several people. My triangle now says "13", with only 2500 homes out of service. Should we take wagers on how long it'll be?

[GothingNC]

My family on Long Island is still without power

640,000 still in the dark

What a mess.

After watching CNN, it looks like it will take months to reopen the subway stations that were flooded.

[widebody911]

Is that a black Audi wagon?

Originally Posted by NeedSpace

I have seen quite a number of down trees and powerlines. If I get a chance, I'll take some pics of all the cars with trees on them, I have seen at least 1/2 dozen of them around my block.

[NeedSpace]

Originally Posted by widebody911

Is that a black Audi wagon?

Yes, funny, this isn't mine but I also own a black audi wagon. Love that car, 150,000 miles on it...oh, and it is also powering my house now. I have used 1/2 tank of gas since monday running it. Not bad.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/714464-running-your-boiler-you-car.html

[WIL84911]

Thank you. Just saw this. I will try it tonight.

[NeedSpace]

BTW, for all you left coasters, here something interesting. I have only seen 1 gas station open in the last 3 days (after passing about 30 or so). The only 1 that is open has a line reminescent of the oil embargo of 1974. The lines go further than I can see. Also, there was cop in riot gear. Lot's of fun.

[matthew-s]

Originally Posted by NeedSpace

Yes, funny, this isn't mine but I also own a black audi wagon. Love that car, 150,000 miles on it...oh, and it is also powering my house now. I have used 1/2 tank of gas since monday running it. Not bad.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/714464-running-your-boiler-you-car.html

I did the same thing (starting w/ last year's storm) except I'm running my boiler off of a small generator. I suspected a 12v inverter could do it too - good to know it works.

I'm glad I have steam heat, that 12v inverter solution would be a non-starter for forced hot air or hot water.

For those contemplating getting a generator, I recommend you get the SMALLEST, most fuel efficient generator you can that will still run what you minimally need (fridge and heat). I know folks blowing through 4+ gallons a day, and it's almost a full time job for them to source fuel.

Honda has this eye-opening page on their website: Honda Generators - Power Management

[pwd72s]

We've survived quite well here with no generator, no power for over a week.

My two favorite items: A wood stove...no power needed like pellet stove.

An old fashioned hand pump atop our well head...no problem getting water.

Of course, neither very helpful if you get flooded...

[jyl]

A Prius makes a good emergency generator for small loads. No kidding. Unlike a standard generator which runs constantly, the Prius gas engine will switch on, charge the battery, and switch off. I've used the car this way when car-camping for 5 days with an electric cooler. The engine would turn on every few hours.

To run just a household refrigerator and a few light bulbs, I think the car would work similarly. The battery on my gen 2, non-plug-in Prius has an effective capacity of 2 AH (actual is 4AH but the car will not allow the battery to be charged or discharged to that extreme). So for a refrigerator pulling 2 amps, the engine might have to switch on every hour.

I think I should add the inverter connection necessary to do this.

[GH85Carrera]

Here is a link to a web site with several photos of the damage.

Hurricane Sandy: The Aftermath - In Focus - The Atlantic

Tragic destruction.

[GH85Carrera]

Here is another link.

Superstorm Sandy: before and after - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

This shows before and after views from Google Earth. Just move the mouse left or ring the switch back and forth.

[RWebb]

re: electricity - power co.s from all over the US are headed for you guys (incl. a projected month long stay for a group from my small town) so you can expect the rate of power restoration to increase

[cairns]

re: electricity - power co.s from all over the US are headed for you guys (incl. a projected month long stay for a group from my small town) so you can expect the rate of power restoration to increase

But if they're non union New Jersey utilities are telling them to go to New York or go home.

[NeedSpace]

And on the 4th day God said, "let there be light" and so it was! Power we've got POWER!

Oh, here are a couple of cars on my block for your viewing pleasure.

Honda Element - not so boxy anymore


Ford Flex - not meant for hauling

[NeedSpace]

It is like the trees always aim for those rear windows...


This last one took down a number of powerlines as well

[lonewolf]

NJ Governor has put a limit now on how much gas you can buy. 40$max. goes on your car license number . even number plates on even days and odd number on odd days of the week.so every second day you can go.No restrictions on gas cans.

They have elect crews from everywhere .Canada has sent a bunch too but it is going to take some time . Some areas they have to start from scratch.

The effected subways .
Don't plan on using them for 6months or longer. Once they get them drained Everything has to be taken out except for the track.. Everything from the stairs to the escalators to the tickets booths are done .

Everyone who is heavily effected needs to register with FEMA asap.
1-800- 621 fema
There is a long line but the sooner you are in it the sooner you get help.

[VINMAN]

Well, finally home. Very rough week. Deployed Sunday afternoon and we finished up tonight

Fist of all, I just really want to thank those that were concerned. Thanks for the Pms nd a huge thanks to Mark for the phone call. That was pretty uplifting. I needed that.
I'm pretty wiped out , ready to crash so really cant get into everything right now. I'll catch up with you guys tomorrow.