Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: STMO123 on 18 January 2013, 12:50:04

Title: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: STMO123 on 18 January 2013, 12:50:04
Had a power cut this morning while I was lying in the bath. Ha ha, I thought, I'll just lie here, lovely and warm, and it will be back on within half an hour. It wasn't. It didn't take long for the house to cool down, wet hair didn't help. It was gloomy and quiet, except for the sound of alarms going off, which put the dog on edge.
I'll have a cuppa, oh.......no I can't. Mum will be ringing soon.......oh......she won't.
Oh.......no telly, no heating (unless I put the gas fire on and that will stink after the time it's been off.

Gloom.....boredom.....slightly unnerved.

Hang on! It's back on. Thank God. How long was it off, I wonder?


 :-[ :- :-[ 55 minutes.


It wouldn't take that much to shake us all from our complacency and make us realise just how ill-equipped we are for life without all of our comforts.
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: symes on 18 January 2013, 12:54:40
Last time we had that-mrs said dont worry we can watch tv in the dark :D :D :D :D :D
Glad you got it back on though mate :y
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: feeutfo on 18 January 2013, 13:09:11
Don't believe a word of it. He hasn't got any hair at all. Anywhere. He keeps sending me the bloody pictures to prove it.

( MUUUUUUM that nasty man is on again! )
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: Varche on 18 January 2013, 13:14:38
Spain has no end of power cuts. Most only for a few minutes.. A neighbour in the next village said all houses were off from 8.30pm on Wed until 2pm on Thursday. Our transformer is a rusted hulk 31 years old.

Thankfully we have gas cooking  and a log burner.

Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: feeutfo on 18 January 2013, 13:19:33
 Although, clearly, we'd all be in trouble if the country's infrastructure broke down.

Properly I mean, not just a bit if bad weather.
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: STMO123 on 18 January 2013, 13:20:46
We have gas central heating but, of course, the control circuit is electric.
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: symes on 18 January 2013, 13:21:11
Well at least the drought order has been lifted :y :y
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 18 January 2013, 13:31:16
snow or storm not that problem but when electricity is gone , within 2-3 hours you are freezing.. I lived that on a -20 winter night (years ago) and I couldnt sleep even under 3 blankets :-\
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 18 January 2013, 13:39:05
Had a power cut this morning while I was lying in the bath. Ha ha, I thought, I'll just lie here, lovely and warm, and it will be back on within half an hour. It wasn't. It didn't take long for the house to cool down, wet hair didn't help. It was gloomy and quiet, except for the sound of alarms going off, which put the dog on edge.
I'll have a cuppa, oh.......no I can't. Mum will be ringing soon.......oh......she won't.
Oh.......no telly, no heating (unless I put the gas fire on and that will stink after the time it's been off.

Gloom.....boredom.....slightly unnerved.

Hang on! It's back on. Thank God. How long was it off, I wonder?


 :-[ :- :-[ 55 minutes.


It wouldn't take that much to shake us all from our complacency and make us realise just how ill-equipped we are for life without all of our comforts.


Indeed Steve.  Back in 1973 we had the widespread power cuts on a rota due to the miners causing problems, but we coped and in fact had some fun!! :D :D :D :D :D ;)

However that was 1973, when computers hardly controlled anything, and our houses ran on coal fires, or straight forward gas heaters which did not require leccy to run. We also used  shops that did not rely on computer systems to sell goods, and we did not rely too much on the new fangled freezers. Now I dread to think of the massive breakdown of life we would suffer with any cuts of even short term length. Life would virtually stop!  It is a scary thought. :o :o :o
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: Andy B on 18 January 2013, 13:42:49
There are advantages to keeping your caravan at home, battery is always on charge, a full gas bottle or two.  :y  :y
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: YZ250 on 18 January 2013, 13:54:10
There are advantages to keeping your caravan at home, battery is always on charge, a full gas bottle or two.  :y  :y

Just about to post that myself.  ;D ;D All of those caravan haters will be peering through the window wishing they were sat there lovely and warm with hot running water.  ;D ;D Might even fire up the genny and have the TV on just to really annoy them.  ;) ;D ;D
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: Andy B on 18 January 2013, 14:01:06
There are advantages to keeping your caravan at home, battery is always on charge, a full gas bottle or two.  :y  :y

Just about to post that myself.  ;D ;D All of those caravan haters will be peering through the window wishing they were sat there lovely and warm with hot running water.  ;D ;D Might even fire up the genny and have the TV on just to really annoy them.  ;) ;D ;D

Coincidently, the power went off for an hour the other morning just before I went to work. I only needed the caravan for a brew though.  :y
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: STMO123 on 18 January 2013, 14:16:12
Pikey.
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: Andy B on 18 January 2013, 14:21:22
Pikey.

but warm ......  ;)  ;)  ;)
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: symes on 18 January 2013, 14:33:49
Be warmer setting fire to caravan ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 18 January 2013, 14:43:05
Gas hob, gas fire....no problem.
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: Elite Pete on 18 January 2013, 14:44:11
We get loads of power and water cuts here so we are well prepared. You wouldn't think we are only a few miles outside of a city >:(
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: Varche on 18 January 2013, 14:57:52
Had a power cut this morning while I was lying in the bath. Ha ha, I thought, I'll just lie here, lovely and warm, and it will be back on within half an hour. It wasn't. It didn't take long for the house to cool down, wet hair didn't help. It was gloomy and quiet, except for the sound of alarms going off, which put the dog on edge.
I'll have a cuppa, oh.......no I can't. Mum will be ringing soon.......oh......she won't.
Oh.......no telly, no heating (unless I put the gas fire on and that will stink after the time it's been off.

Gloom.....boredom.....slightly unnerved.

Hang on! It's back on. Thank God. How long was it off, I wonder?


 :-[ :- :-[ 55 minutes.


It wouldn't take that much to shake us all from our complacency and make us realise just how ill-equipped we are for life without all of our comforts.


Indeed Steve.  Back in 1973 we had the widespread power cuts on a rota due to the miners causing problems, but we coped and in fact had some fun!! :D :D :D :D :D ;)

However that was 1973, when computers hardly controlled anything, and our houses ran on coal fires, or straight forward gas heaters which did not require leccy to run. We also used  shops that did not rely on computer systems to sell goods, and we did not rely too much on the new fangled freezers. Now I dread to think of the massive breakdown of life we would suffer with any cuts of even short term length. Life would virtually stop!  It is a scary thought. :o :o :o

Maybe so but Britain is heading for a massive gap between generation and demand due to a number of factors. Removal from service of perfectly good power stations due to EU rules, lack of timely investment in proper power stations, a fatal Don Quixotian fascination towards windmills. Power cut rotas may well be a feature of life in five years time especilly on still days, gas from Russia disruption days, cold weather.......
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 18 January 2013, 15:31:48
Had a power cut this morning while I was lying in the bath. Ha ha, I thought, I'll just lie here, lovely and warm, and it will be back on within half an hour. It wasn't. It didn't take long for the house to cool down, wet hair didn't help. It was gloomy and quiet, except for the sound of alarms going off, which put the dog on edge.
I'll have a cuppa, oh.......no I can't. Mum will be ringing soon.......oh......she won't.
Oh.......no telly, no heating (unless I put the gas fire on and that will stink after the time it's been off.

Gloom.....boredom.....slightly unnerved.

Hang on! It's back on. Thank God. How long was it off, I wonder?


 :-[ :- :-[ 55 minutes.


It wouldn't take that much to shake us all from our complacency and make us realise just how ill-equipped we are for life without all of our comforts.


Indeed Steve.  Back in 1973 we had the widespread power cuts on a rota due to the miners causing problems, but we coped and in fact had some fun!! :D :D :D :D :D ;)

However that was 1973, when computers hardly controlled anything, and our houses ran on coal fires, or straight forward gas heaters which did not require leccy to run. We also used  shops that did not rely on computer systems to sell goods, and we did not rely too much on the new fangled freezers. Now I dread to think of the massive breakdown of life we would suffer with any cuts of even short term length. Life would virtually stop!  It is a scary thought. :o :o :o

Maybe so but Britain is heading for a massive gap between generation and demand due to a number of factors. Removal from service of perfectly good power stations due to EU rules, lack of timely investment in proper power stations, a fatal Don Quixotian fascination towards windmills. Power cut rotas may well be a feature of life in five years time especilly on still days, gas from Russia disruption days, cold weather.......

Ah, but we are buying power from France Varche ::) ::) ::) :D :D
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: Varche on 18 January 2013, 15:37:29
Sacre Bleu, tout est bien.

Wait a minute. In their own countries they have to abide by government controlled prices but in Britain they don't and so can make up the shortfall........
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: TheBoy on 18 January 2013, 15:49:15
My mum gets weekly power cuts. She manages fine. OK, she's cross when her computer isn't working....
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: Kevin Wood on 18 January 2013, 18:02:04
I've got a diesel generator in the garage. Oh, and I noticed there's a 60kVA trailer mounted one in Emma's place of work just up the road today. Ok, the neighbours wouldn't be very happy, but... ::)
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: PhilRich on 18 January 2013, 18:05:58
Don't believe a word of it. He hasn't got any hair at all. Anywhere. He keeps sending me the bloody pictures to prove it.

( MUUUUUUM that nasty man is on again! )




So that photo wasn't of his head with a nasty cut in it then Chris ???
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: tunnie on 18 January 2013, 18:23:33
Almost worth getting a generator these days for such emergencies, as you say in this weather does not take long for it to get very cold without power in a house/flat
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: scimmy_man on 18 January 2013, 19:38:28
I wired our house so the kitchen is on a seperate circuit, it powers the sockets and pump on the logburner,

if we get a long power cut I can throw the circuit breaker, and plug a genny into the outside socket, feeding power back in,
tv, lights under the units and heating,
bring it on.
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: Varche on 18 January 2013, 20:00:29
Almost worth getting a generator these days for such emergencies, as you say in this weather does not take long for it to get very cold without power in a house/flat

For the cost of the generator IF you have a long power cut, better would be to head off to a romantic hotel. :-[ :-[
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: STMO123 on 18 January 2013, 20:31:12
Don't believe a word of it. He hasn't got any hair at all. Anywhere. He keeps sending me the bloody pictures to prove it.

( MUUUUUUM that nasty man is on again! )




So that photo wasn't of his head with a nasty cut in it then Chris ???
You missed an 'n' out Phil.
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: Rods2 on 18 January 2013, 20:46:02
Where I live, the underground power cable keeps failing on a regular basis and we have several time been without power for over 24 hours. But fortunately I have always been prepared for such eventualities with a two burner and grill camping Calor gas stove, where we have an electric cooker, a wood burning stove to keep a room warm when we have no central heating and a cheap 850w generator.

Even with 99.9% reliability, this is almost 9 hours a year with no power. For the price of a little Calor gas camping ring and cartridge, is it worth going without a brew or hot soup when it is cold?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Portable-Camping-Cooker-Cartridges-Refills/dp/B000RHV3MU (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Portable-Camping-Cooker-Cartridges-Refills/dp/B000RHV3MU)
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 18 January 2013, 21:11:35
I have a gas stove for those emergency conditions but not sure how can I sleep with a noisy generator.. :-\ 
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: feeutfo on 18 January 2013, 21:22:42
Don't believe a word of it. He hasn't got any hair at all. Anywhere. He keeps sending me the bloody pictures to prove it.

( MUUUUUUM that nasty man is on again! )




So that photo wasn't of his head with a nasty cut in it then Chris ???
You missed an 'n' out Phil.
oh your not that nasty Esta. Nasty yes, but no n required. Don't be so "hard" on yourself. :)
Title: Re: We are all so vulnerable
Post by: TheBoy on 19 January 2013, 11:04:13
Where I live, the underground power cable keeps failing on a regular basis and we have several time been without power for over 24 hours. But fortunately I have always been prepared for such eventualities with a two burner and grill camping Calor gas stove, where we have an electric cooker, a wood burning stove to keep a room warm when we have no central heating and a cheap 850w generator.

Even with 99.9% reliability, this is almost 9 hours a year with no power. For the price of a little Calor gas camping ring and cartridge, is it worth going without a brew or hot soup when it is cold?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Portable-Camping-Cooker-Cartridges-Refills/dp/B000RHV3MU (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Portable-Camping-Cooker-Cartridges-Refills/dp/B000RHV3MU)
Aye, we have all the camping stuff, so we can cook - albeit it not exactly gourmet neuvelle cuisine - and stay warm in one room.

Of course, you lot would moan when the UPS goes flat, and OOF goes down...  ...though its been about 5yrs since that last happened, as power cuts around here are normally very brief.