Cold coming, will the lights stay on?

[oldag]

Currently predicted low temperatures across West Texas and the panhandle will be almost at the lower operating temperature limits for wind turbines. Perhaps below the operating limit for some turbine models. So far, not seeing any precip in the forecast which is good. If the ambient temps go below the min. operating temp, wind generation will take a significant hit.

Guess we are going to find out how successful ERCOT's push for winter weatherization preparation is going to be.

Might want to be prepared for losing power.

 

[skfullgun]

I have already pulled the propane heaters out of storage and prepped the generator.

I’m hoping NOT to lose power, but still prepared.

 

[no2gates]

The February outage is what pushed me to get a solar system with battery backup.
I don't want to go through that again.
All I had was a 4kw gas generator and the roads were icy and was hard to get gas to keep it running.
Plus 4kw doesn't get you very much as far as heating devices go.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

The February outage is what pushed me to get a solar system with battery backup.
I don't want to go through that again.
All I had was a 4kw gas generator and the roads were icy and was hard to get gas to keep it running.
Plus 4kw doesn't get you very much as far as heating devices go.

How well does your solar system charge at this point in time.

I have a solar panel on one of my cameras, and I need to charge it myself every winter.

 

[skfullgun]

I have two generators for a combined 6k capacity. I keep an ample supply of gas to keep running for at least 5 days.

I am set up to heat with propane.

I hope we sail through this without any interruption of power.

 

[1911'S 4 Me]

These colder winters we are having is because of global WARMING??
Nature does what it wants, has for billions of years.

 

[Texasjack]

Hurricanes and Northers are good opportunities to figure out how well you can survive without public service systems. You never know what might happen that would knock out systems for very long periods - years, maybe. If you can't handle a day or two, you need to do some soul searching about where you invest your money.

 

[BBL]

That reminds me, I need to go get fuel for the small backup generator. It won't run the whole house but at least the fridge (I know, ironic) and small appliances.
The fireplace is ready and so is far-wud.
I expect the cold front to generate enough electricity with its fierce winds and lack of precipitation. As long as people put some sweatpants on and don't turn up their electric furnaces to 75F.

 

[gll]

How well does your solar system charge at this point in time.

I have a solar panel on one of my cameras, and I need to charge it myself every winter.

You need more solar panel or more battery, maybe both, to get through low solar periods...

Low stock and urgency finally got me out cutting wood. I'm good for at least a month of the worst weather can throw at me.

 

[Bozz10mm]

I'm not anticipating a black out or brown out this time around. It's only predicted to get down to 13° F here Friday morning with a high of 27°. Unfortunately we have a Dr. appointment Friday morning. 13° and 15 mph wind. Brrr, hot dang.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

You need more solar panel or more battery, maybe both, to get through low solar periods...

Low stock and urgency finally got me out cutting wood. I'm good for at least a month of the worst weather can throw at me.

My point was, once his battery wall powers his house for 24 hours, will it be recharged to provide power for the next 24 hours, if power is out for 48?

I don't know how long it can power the whole house.

 

[wakosama]

good for two days maybe 3, not much else I can do except bundle up or go stay with friends.

 

[Byrd666]

It's going to be an interesting weekend. A few things have happened that impeded my Winter preparations this year. It won't be a fun time if ERCOT once again screwed the pooch.

I guess I'll see here shortly.

 

[no2gates]

How well does your solar system charge at this point in time.

I have a solar panel on one of my cameras, and I need to charge it myself every winter.

It's a Tesla Powerwall 2, still charges to 100% and it's less than a year old so it works fine so far.

 

[no2gates]

My point was, once his battery wall powers his house for 24 hours, will it be recharged to provide power for the next 24 hours, if power is out for 48?

I don't know how long it can power the whole house.

Assuming it's not super cloudy, it will charge back up when the sun comes out.
There's 44 panels so it will produce up to 13.5kw per hour.

 

[Hoji]

They should stay on at Casa de Hoji

 

[thescoutranch]

After the 2021 outage, I adapted our motor home generator to back feed the house if needed. (After disconnecting the main breaker, of course). The Motorhome has 100 gallons of diesel on board with 75 gallons available for the generator.

 

[Kar98]

We did OK during the February '21 outage, but I've added some convenience items like rechargeable lanterns instead of just handheld flashlights, more firewood, more water storage (already filled up), zero degree windshield washer fluid (screw standing out there in cold scraping at windshields), portable gas oven (in addition to the grill)

If that's not enough, we're having a problem of another magnitude and no amount of prepping short of going missile silo bunker with generators would help.

 

[S13]

I hope ERCOT made some improvements.

 

[Vaquero]

I hope ERCOT made some improvements.

They improved the identity of "critical load" customers data.
Now that natural gas facilities have registered as such, the gas should keep pressure and the gas fired generation should stay on line.

2021 was a hard lesson on "oversight".
2022 was proof that things are right.

I still have generators and fuel.
Lines fall and transformers fail.