Power cuts, powerbanks, Priority Services Register, fuse boards

Cantilip
Cantilip Community Member Posts: 615 Empowering
in Coffee lounge

Re the banner, do register, it's really easy. Did it a couple of weeks ago after a disaster which was really nothing much with hindsight but had me in a flat spin. On a fine sunny Friday morning the power suddenly went. No-o, you don't expect power cuts in August. I stuck my nose outside the front door of my flat and there was smoke and a smell of burning. Waaa! Also a very startled electrician on the phone to his boss! He'd been working on the electricity on what I suppose since I don't anything about this stuff is the main connection for the whole building. UK Power Networks were contacted and they are fabulous, here within an hour and texts to say what was happening - which among other things was that 50 properties in the neighbourhood had to be cut off. It was actually all sorted within four hours, but I was freaking a) because I don't have a landline and neither PC nor phone had much charge left, b) I thought I had a powerbank and it was useless - it's a dual camping light and the light is great but a non-starter for charging my PC - c) at the thought of losing everything in my freezer and d) because I was scared the fuses had been tripped and my fuse box is about 8 feet up so I can't possibly reach it to flip them back. In fact the power came on without the need for that. So right now I'm on the hunt for a proper powerbank. Can anyone recommend one? But if you have mobility problems worth checking if you can reach your fuses.

Comments

  • egister
    egister Posts: 1,102 Pioneering

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engine-generator

  • Champamoni
    Champamoni Community Member Posts: 1 Listener

    I've had good luck with powerbanks that support USB-C Power Delivery for laptops. Look for one with at least 20,000mAh and a high wattage output.

  • JW77
    JW77 Community Member Posts: 266 Empowering

    Based on the Governments own guidance.

    https://prepare.campaign.gov.uk/get-prepared-for-emergencies/

    I'm planning on the following.
    Torches, batteries (candles can be risky)
    Powerbank. Basically look at real reviews (most search is just AI sales) sometimes youtube reviews are better. I've been watching a lotta youtube reviews, sometimes from somewhat 'extreme preppers' but there's a good few with sound advice and UK based

    Wind Up Radio with torch (and one that can give you at least a decent percentage to change a phone.

    Look for one with batteries you can replace (some have built in +AA) length of time before you need to charge.

    I have a dynamo torch,
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/DIGIFLEX-Battery-Flashlight-Survival-Camping/dp/B004I5EBFS/ref=sr_1_6?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3FLmfFYFpy15Opv7XFdEPDJnZ22wTtJDGgojMVTGYfiGWuOf1LaQE00NFSqdZ3maflxvy2XKZFhI6KLwD4yhmxVYd5jzmIJn49FXwSc0ntGWL62GhYduezY15RswcNmF3LwowB7w1mrjOtDiXn7aNSO9ohT3U-LMx-L4c3aqriuOvVcubnqFaUytvHgJTGNKRXv3yomz6qG1AAVXJlVEsSDPVyfBFIY1y17uT5kpNE8Qedo6kuoG3GK908MFXjzmUGIzvoZb7DtUHNrpPL1Ds36V2Y-JNQGqKtSKG-_vLZw.OAfak787LJa5wFUejRCGfjLWsUBZujbORxmP9mViLak&dib_tag=se&keywords=dynamo+torches&qid=1790269490&sr=8-6


    as well as couple of LED/hook torches.

    Anker are one of the best known and reliable power bank brands.

    And if you have a EV with setup for V2H, or V2L your pretty much sorted in a power cut if setup properly.
    If you've got space & cash you could get a camping sized portable power station but you're talking about @£1000 for those.

    I'm also going to purchase a fire bag/box to keep documents, such as bank registration/passport etc in.
    Keeping batteries stored properly as well, which is another think I need to work on.

  • Rag_793
    Rag_793 Community Member Posts: 824 Empowering

    Since I moved into my flat in 2024, I have had to get used to being a Service User. Which has taken a fare while to get used to, alongside learning how to love and adapt to a new environment and way of life. Alongside this learning to use the adaptations and also have to ask for other adaptations to be placed in the flat to make living independently as comfortable and as safe as possible. I am on both the National Grid and Severn Trent emergency register for if anything goes wrong and I am left with no leccy and water.

    Up to six years ago I was a Support Worker, taking care of people with Mental and Physical Disabilities. Now I am on the other side of the coin, I now in a way treat the way I live as if I was my own Support Worker taking care of my mental and physical health conditions.

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