Don't forget the importance of testing your preps....I bought a brand new $20 Mag Light flashlight - AND it was defective - I tried everything to make it work - had to return it for another (next one worked fine).

After that episode,, I have been taking care to test things out before the BIG TEST comes around.....Test your propane stoves, Aladin Lamps, type of firewood, etc.....

-- mmmm (mmmm@mmmm.com), November 06, 1999

Answers

Test all your technical gizmos! 2 out of 3 battery powered halogen motion detector lights are already dead as a doornail, #3 going up. They die in rainstorms by overdischarge of gelled lead acid batteries, no recovery possible. Does your inverter really power what you think it will? For how long? TEST EVERYTHING! Warranties will be worthless! Spare parts will be unavailable.

-- wfk (yesyes@do.com), November 06, 1999.

Drill it now. Ask the vendor/serviceperson what parts break first and most often, and buy extras of those. Especially if imported.

-- in the process (allaha@earthlink.net), November 06, 1999.

My good til 2001 batteries are DEAD! Anybody have one of those solar rechargers or trickle for car batteries from REAL GOODS catalogue? I've been thinking about getting one. I know you can't use those kind of batteries with cameras, but then I won't be developing those pics if the grid is down. I heard they're good for flashlights and maybe that battery operated Omini Chord musical instrument. Quick! Break out the acco

-- Marilyn (Me@MarilynEllis.com), November 07, 1999.

...Break out the Accordian!!!!!....sorry, I keep forgetting to add some dots........otherwise the sumit page cuts my last wor.......

-- Marilyn (me@MarilynEllis.com), November 07, 1999.

....d.................

-- Marilyn (me@Marilynellis.com), November 07, 1999.

Woodstove works just fine. Had a nice warm fire the other night. Water containers don't leak and gravity water filter works fine. Propane grill cleaned and ready with two extra tanks. Pantry full. Battery powered camplight works fine. Rechargable batteries and solar recharger working fine. First aid kit ready for most emergencies and illnesses. Motorcycle (70+mpg) ready to go with 20 gal. of extra gasoline. Shotgun and AR-15 locked and loaded. Ready for a long winter.

-- Bill (y2khippo@yahoo.com), November 07, 1999.