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Brent, I am going with AGM solar batteries at this time. I expect them to last 2 -3 years hoping that during that time more efficient (and affordable) batteries will be developed. Heck, during that time I may find that the whole system takes too much maintenance and drop the whole thing. But, I suspect (or hope), I will be expanding the system in the future.
 
There are a myriad of different lithium technologies now, and some of the new lithium batteries use hybrid technology to take advantage of different types.

The Lithium battery types are:

Lithium Cobalt Oxide(LiCoO2) — LCO
This is what is in your cell phone. It has the highest energy density, which makes it good for small batteries, but it has a short life span, low thermal stability and limited load capabilities (which is not a problem for cell phones but would be a huge problem for powering a high current inverter)

Lithium Manganese Oxide (LiMn2O4) — LMO
Used for power tools and some electric and hybrid cars. It has higher current capacity than LCO, but shorter life and lower energy density.

Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) — NMC
New hybrid technology used for power tools, e-bikes, and medical equipment. Excellent life (duty cycle in the 1000s), high current, and although safer than LCO, it is susceptible to thermal runaway. Not readily available for consumers yet.

Lithium Iron Phosphate(LiFePO4) — LFP
Used in some powersports and automotive batteries. It has a long life if not abused (duty cycle in the 1000s), high current, flat voltage discharge and is very safe and relatively inexpensive compared to other lithium technologies, but has low energy density and high self discharge. It is sensitive to cold temperatures.

Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide (LiNiCoAlO2) — NCA
Used by Panasonic and Tesla. Has high energy density and longer life than NCO, but the same safety issues as NCO (e.g. self destructing Teslas).

Lithium Titanate (Li2TiO3) — LTO
LTO technology has actually been around since the 1980s. Used in solar powered street lights and other applications that require long life. Has extremely long life, but extremely high price to go with it. Can charge very quickly, has high load capacity, excellent cold weather performance and is extremely safe, but has a low energy density and as mentioned above is very expensive.
 
JackDW said:
Brent, I am going with AGM solar batteries at this time. I expect them to last 2 -3 years hoping that during that time more efficient (and affordable) batteries will be developed. Heck, during that time I may find that the whole system takes too much maintenance and drop the whole thing. But, I suspect (or hope), I will be expanding the system in the future.
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I used two AGM batteries for my camper that has a solar charger too. Kind of regret not getting lithium for it due to both weight and longevity but did what I felt comfortable affording at the time. So far, a year in, I’m still pleased they are working fine.
 
I need to order some more ammo for my air rifle, I've managed to use over 1000 pellets in two weeks at the range, Currently using .22 cal JSB Hades 15.89 grain frangible pellets.

Also I'm currently totally overhauling my GHB and contents.
 
Arcticdude said:
Every day for me is spent plowing snow, shoveling snow, blowing snow and digging out the cattle. Oh, and keeping the wood stove stoked.
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I’ve got a good fire going right now. Thankfully I’m not having to shovel any snow though...
 
Doreena said:
No fire, no heat on here. Just a well insulated house I guess. Actually our HVAC unit is not functional right now as it is being replaced..


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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I used 2x6’s for the walls here and did extra insulation in the attic and crawl space too. Now I can light a good fire and it stays nice in the house all night long. I’m a southerner and like it warm!
 
Brent S said:
I used 2x6’s for the walls here and did extra insulation in the attic and crawl space too. Now I can light a good fire and it stays nice in the house all night long. I’m a southerner and like it warm!
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My house is all 2×6 construction too, with a 200 pound snow load roof. I had extra insulation blown in the attic, and extra insulation in the walls and between the floor joists. We've had the wood stove burning 24/7 since early October. It'll keep the house at 67-68 degrees, a little warmer upstairs and our bedroom stays around 58 degrees. Just right for sleeping. I keep the thermostat set at 61degrees just in case the fire burns down while we're away. The furnace has only come on twice so far.
 
We got a new promaster work van so I had to clear my shop table and made a shelf system for both sides of the van. I’m making these modular so I can remove them down the road for reuse. I built a raised floor for conduit and pipe to be stored underneath and have the shelf units in the van now but still need to trim it (just for looks) and fasten it securely. I was tempted to just buy the metal shelving systems but at 4500. I was good with taking a couple days to build my own. So, the prepping part of this is my shop was a disaster. The table saw and work table had piles of stuff all over it. Now it’s cleared I can go back to building some things for the house again. I’m motivated!
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The loadout of my GHB for spring 2020 FOR NOW :)
upload_2020-1-19_21-23-1.png
 
I put together 2 metal shelving units for the my climate controlled storage building. I will put sealed storage bins on them filled with long term foods, gas masks and chemical suits and some extra bathroom and personal hygiene supplies.

I also made some RG-8X cables of various lengths for my 2 Ham radios.
 
Rellgar said:
I have 8 people living in my house. My doctor has a brain and writes scripts for my entire household when I ask. I always keep enough meds for each person in case of emergencies. Z-packs cover all kinds of infections. They dont cost me that much.
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I tried to get our family physician to write a script for a good general antiobitic just for prepping. He said he would think about it and never did. I’m sure he was thinking another crazy prepper....
 
I also started to get to the doc and ask for some more Iboflam or Iboprufen 600 mg for the home pharmacy and cellar. Test run the little generator, put the spare 12V battery in my sons car and will buy another to replace it in the cellar. Made some cough syrup from moonshine, mixed in some hazelnut pollen and herbs, let it stand in the east window for a month and added some honey to taste...the wife swears she has a cold now. 3 dozen more batteries in AA and AAA for the 7 flashlights in the house and car. Re-charged the lithium-ion batteries in the EDC and GHB. Sharpened 6 kitchen knives for an old friend in the next town. Called my mom in Austin to see if she finally got the pics of my grandkids/ her Great-grandkids. (totally proud now). Live free, GP
 
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I've been a bit of a slacker at my prepping this month. My manager has been out of the office several days a week to help run a satellite office so I've been picking up her workload as well, and then I've been training new employees or working in the field on the weekends. I'm an introvert so dealing with people all day wears me out.
 
My family and prepper group are meeting every Saturday untill the Presidential election and perhaps after. We are working on everyone having all the supplies they need and training with our weapons and equipment. We are acquiring materials to store on the property, so we can quickly set up defences and start our tasks for post SHTF event. The plan is for everyone to come here in there vehicles. Everyone has bicycles and other alternative EMP proof transportation.

We are updating our operations plan tomorrow.
 
I got all the fruit trees pruned and the debris piled up to burn over the weekend. This was a major pruning and needed a chainsaw not just pruning shears. I still have the grape vines to prune and that will be another full day too. Then the blueberries after that. I have more respect for farmers than I ever did.
 
My son picked me up a Coleman Big Hat lantern with the same date (58) as my original, the new one also has the original glass. He picked it up from a moving sell on the way here, paid $5.00, I put it on the bench and everything including regulator in excellent condition.

IMG_4204A.jpg

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Arcticdude said:
I bought a new side by side (UTV) yesterday. Ordered a set of tracks for it and looking for a snow blower to mount on the front. It'll be a big help around here, and with the tracks it will allow to get out in case of an emergency when we're snowed in.
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I realize you are dealing with snow in your neck of the woods, but we deal with mud around here. . . tracks are a BIG benefit to get you to were you need to go. We have to transfer hay from the tractor with spear to skid skeer that has tracks to take out to pastures.
 
Danil54grl said:
I realize you are dealing with snow in your neck of the woods, but we deal with mud around here. . . tracks are a BIG benefit to get you to were you need to go. We have to transfer hay from the tractor with spear to skid skeer that has tracks to take out to pastures.
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Our mud season here only lasts for about 3 weeks during spring break up. The rest of the year is either dry or covered in snow. The tracks will be a big benefit for feeding too. I'll buy or build a sled to haul hay out to the cattle. Having a heated cab will be nice too. This winter I've been having a hard time staying warm.
 
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