https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/alternative-energy/ The New Canadian Preppers Network Discussion Board en-US Thu, 23 Apr 2026 23:26:02 +0000 wpForo 60 https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/alternative-energy/long-term-storage-of-aa-cr123-etc/ Fri, 28 Jun 2019 17:20:55 +0000
I tend to buy 10 year Duracell’s and wondering if I freeze them, I can get maybe another five or more years from them.

Also like to know about any success with long term storage of rechargeable AA’s ......

If a freezer helps, what other protective measure do you use IE; oxygen absorbers with Mylar bags etc

And last question, has anyone had good success with recharging the one use AA’s etc. I did it about ten years ago but haven’t tried with latest ones. Alkaline or lithium..

Merci]]> Alternative Energy Anonymous https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/alternative-energy/long-term-storage-of-aa-cr123-etc/ https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/alternative-energy/outdoor-fire-heating/ Tue, 04 Jun 2019 00:28:16 +0000
This has me wondering about a new fire pit I'm building, though, to replace the current open pit on the ridge. Am digging into the hillside, will set up some retaining walls, will bury a very large rock under the fire pit itself to act as a thermal mass, but I'm now thinking about a chiminea -style cover on it, maybe a large quarter-hemisphere or something. I dunno, think it's worth the extra expense, or will the semicircular retaining walls reflect enough heat that more from the fire itself won't be necessary? I suspect this would be mostly fired in winter.

.]]> Alternative Energy Danux https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/alternative-energy/outdoor-fire-heating/ https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/alternative-energy/reputable-wind-turbine-manufacturers/ Sat, 02 Mar 2019 20:46:12 +0000
.]]> Alternative Energy Danux https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/alternative-energy/reputable-wind-turbine-manufacturers/ https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/alternative-energy/keeping-hot-water/ Fri, 22 Feb 2019 21:52:30 +0000 Any thoughts on how to hold a large pail hot water for 10 or 12 hours, that would allow intermittent use of it?

.]]> Alternative Energy Danux https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/alternative-energy/keeping-hot-water/ https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/alternative-energy/insulating-with-bales/ Wed, 19 Dec 2018 12:30:22 +0000 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw-bale_construction

Fast forward a few years, and I've got a couple of seacans, back researching insulation. It is clear that, if one wants to insulate a seacan from the inside, that spray foam is the only option at the moment, if you want to create a livable space for the long term. The problem is condensation on the interior steel walls, using traditional insulating materials. Moisture is condensed out against the steel, collects inside the walls, turns mouldy, creates a "sick house".

When I researched seacan dwellings, years ago, found a guy in a warmer climate who, instead of building walls on the inside of his can, framed around the outside, insulated (against the heat) and sided the exterior walls. I recalled him the other day, that got me thinking about bale usage again. It occurred to me that wrapping a seacan in bales would insulate it very well. If you have easy access to bales, then you could wrap your seacan every few years, as the bales start to deteriorate. But if you were looking for a long-term solution, wanted to create a dwelling out of a seacan, the better choice might be to try to protect/seal the bales, once placed.

So, what I am wondering ,is, if the method(s) for sealing bales using the techniques of bale construction, could be used to wrap a seacan in bales, with the expectation of the materials holding up for a long period of time, in Canada? Is anyone here experienced with bale construction?

.]]> Alternative Energy Danux https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/alternative-energy/insulating-with-bales/ https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/alternative-energy/fire-piston-ember/ Fri, 09 Nov 2018 21:56:39 +0000
.]]> Alternative Energy Danux https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/alternative-energy/fire-piston-ember/ https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/alternative-energy/aa-and-or-cr123a/ Sat, 27 Oct 2018 17:28:22 +0000
I am looking to get some single units but can’t find any made by big boys. I hear they are fickle and not as Good quality as the AA types.

I now use AA and CR flashlights. Have some old C and D ones and rechargeables for them.

I have a few rechargeable CR batteries from thrunite and both their flashlights and rechargeables are working great( highly recommend them), but they only sell the double batt unit and I am looking for singles.

Thanks]]> Alternative Energy Anonymous https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/alternative-energy/aa-and-or-cr123a/ https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/alternative-energy/small-scale-solar/ Fri, 27 Jul 2018 11:16:40 +0000 One of them being working with my small scale solar setup.

Here I have my Goal Zero Torch250 charging up the weather alert radio. It works great as a flashlight/lantern as well as a battery pack, but the solar panel built into it takes a really long time in full sun to charge the battery back to full.
To the right of that, I have a folding 12volt 10 watt solar panel powering my Xtar VC4 battery charger. The panel does a great job in medium to full sun. I'm actually impressed with its perfomance inindirect sunlight. The panel provides either 12 volts via battery clamps (not shown) or a usb adaptor. The VC4 is drawing from the usb adaptor and will charge a really wide variety of batteries either NIMH or LiON. It charges every rechargeable battery I use with the exception of 9volt, which I am phasing out anyways. AA, AAA, or 18650 are my go to sizes now.
I also have a small 7AH 12 volt AGM, which I use this panel to charge with an inexpensive charge controler.
This was taken a few minutes ago...ignore the time stamp from the camera...I haven't set it properly.

]]> Alternative Energy denob https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/alternative-energy/small-scale-solar/ https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/alternative-energy/generator-help/ Mon, 23 Apr 2018 10:07:41 +0000 Today being a pretty warm day, I figured I would clean out the carburator and get her up and running again. To my surprise, it started without any problem, and continues to run so that the starting battery can recharge.
Obviously this winter's issue was more related to temperature, so I ask...is there any tips on starting these engines in the cold?]]> Alternative Energy denob https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/alternative-energy/generator-help/ https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/alternative-energy/trying-a-solar-panel-w-12v-battery-am-i-doing-this-right/ Wed, 07 Mar 2018 09:44:40 +0000
The controller adjacent the batter that takes the power from the panel has the following specs on it:

Load: 7 Amp max
Cut Out Voltage: 14.2V
Cut In: 13V

This is my introduction to solar...be gentle... :)

]]> Alternative Energy thecrownsown https://canadianpreppersnetwork.com/community/alternative-energy/trying-a-solar-panel-w-12v-battery-am-i-doing-this-right/