Prepared for winter?

Post by **adam2** » 23 Nov 2013, 16:07

I have stopped buying candles, I consider present stocks to be ample and would only buy more if they were remarkably cheap or if significant numbers had been used.

If reliant on candles long term after some disaster, then one might reasonably use an average of 4 a day, that is nearly 1,500 a year.
15,000 candles would be gone in 10 years.

Wool blankets last from perhaps 10 years in daily use, up to a lifetime for those that see only limited use in midwinter.
One replacement every 4 or 5 years, for each bed seems a reasonable guidline. So a dozen is reasonable if planning long term.

The lifetime of shirts and underwear is rather indeterminate, but a very rough guide is that each garment should be good for about 100 wash and wear cycles. 100 spares would probably be used up in roughly 25 years.

ujoni08 · Post by **ujoni08** » 23 Nov 2013, 16:30

Can't fault you, Adam2. Seems very sensible, if you have the space to store it all. I have two small boxes of candles, a tonne of firewood, 300Kg of smokeless coal, 20 litres of paraffin, a paraffin lamp, several torches, small-ish stocks of batteries, water purification tablets, reasonable stocks of non-perishable food, a 12V off-grid solar PV system with deep-cycle batteries, etc.

Where can I get bulk candles and bulk batteries from at a reasonable price?

ujoni08

Post by **adam2** » 24 Nov 2013, 09:46

ujoni08 wrote:Can't fault you, Adam2. Seems very sensible, if you have the space to store it all. I have two small boxes of candles, a tonne of firewood, 300Kg of smokeless coal, 20 litres of paraffin, a paraffin lamp, several torches, small-ish stocks of batteries, water purification tablets, reasonable stocks of non-perishable food, a 12V off-grid solar PV system with deep-cycle batteries, etc.

Where can I get bulk candles and bulk batteries from at a reasonable price?

ujoni08

For bulk batteries I use fleabay. One must be very selective as many sellers have fakes, inferior brands or short dated batteries for sale.
I would suggest only buying "PROCELL" batteries.
These are made by Duracell, and are said to be exactly the same specification as the well known Duracell branded product.
Unfortunatly Duracell are so well known, and so widely sold at relatively high prices, that there is a huge business in making and selling fakes.

The procell ones are never advertised, nor meant to be sold retail, and are sold at lower prices. They are intended for trade or industrial use.
Being less well known and mainly bought in bulk by large organisations they are hopefully not worth faking.
I would buy only from large sellers who have sold thousands, and have thousands for sale. I would avoid the small private seller who has but a few boxes for sale, they might well be used ones !
A good listing should give the expiry date, this should be at least 6 years in the future. No date often means short dated.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50-X-D-SIZE-D ... 2301f065a1

Is a supplier that I have used, note the numbers sold, and still for sale.

woodburner · Post by **woodburner** » 24 Nov 2013, 10:39

From supplier above on page 4 of the comments in negative feedback.

None of the batteries work. Buyer: i***9 ( 23) 21-Nov-13 13:53
20 DURACELL PROCELL AA PROFESIONAL BATTERIES *BB: 2016* (#170596037174) £4.79 View Item

Post by **adam2** » 24 Nov 2013, 10:46

woodburner wrote:From supplier above on page 4 of the comments in negative feedback.
None of the batteries work. Buyer: i***9 ( 23) 21-Nov-13 13:53
20 DURACELL PROCELL AA PROFESIONAL BATTERIES *BB: 2016* (#170596037174) £4.79 View Item

A bit worrying, though I have had no problems.
Even if the batteries WERE fake or part used, I would expect them to work to an extent. A claim that none worked does make me wonder if the buyer was either trying it on, or tried all the batteries in the same defective or unsuitable appliance.

Tarrel · Post by **Tarrel** » 24 Nov 2013, 12:21

ujoni08 wrote:I always think I'm well prepared and stocked, until Adam2 lists his stocks

+1. I am in awe of the wood store!

ujoni08 · Post by **ujoni08** » 24 Nov 2013, 12:53

Thanks, Adam2. Have ordered loads of batteries.

Any links to bulk candles?

Post by **adam2** » 24 Nov 2013, 13:59

ujoni08 wrote:Thanks, Adam2. Have ordered loads of batteries.

Any links to bulk candles?

I have used Manchester candles with satisfaction

http://www.manchestercandle.com/

They are primarily trade suppliers but will supply the public given a large enough order. I would favour the relatively tall and narrow candles often called "dinner candles" or "household candles" if the main aim is lighting.

In the short and fat candles, the flame is apt to become recessed into the body of the candle, and most of the light thereby wasted. OK for decorative use, but not ideal for lighting.

ujoni08 · Post by **ujoni08** » 24 Nov 2013, 14:43

Agreed. Dinner candles are the best. I'm going to get a few candle holders too.
Thanks.

RenewableCandy · Post by **RenewableCandy** » 24 Nov 2013, 14:50

RenewableGrandmaman bequeathed me a mirror with 2 candlesticks built-in. It is a lovely object, and part of my doomer supplies

boisdevie · Post by **boisdevie** » 24 Nov 2013, 14:54

Candles are all well and good but if the loony yank preppers are anything to do by then you need at least a dozen AK47s, a gazillion rounds of ammunition and camouflage pyjamas to stand a change or survival when those zombies (or librals or aliens) come to get you.

woodburner · Post by **woodburner** » 24 Nov 2013, 14:55

ujoni08 wrote:Agreed. Dinner candles are the best. I'm going to get a few candle holders too.
Thanks.

Don't forget to remove some draught proofing so you have enough ventilation when running candles.The fumes are not good for you. It's another case of no free lunches.

RenewableCandy · Post by **RenewableCandy** » 24 Nov 2013, 15:08

boisdevie wrote: camouflage pyjamas

incredibly, Fils had a couple of pairs (arctic cammo for winter, natch) 'til he outgrew them

Erm guess who bought them for him...

Post by **adam2** » 24 Nov 2013, 15:45

woodburner wrote:
ujoni08 wrote:Agreed. Dinner candles are the best. I'm going to get a few candle holders too.
Thanks.
Don't forget to remove some draught proofing so you have enough ventilation when running candles.The fumes are not good for you. It's another case of no free lunches.

Unless the premises are extremely well draftproofed I would not worry.
A clean burning candle that is not smoking produces very little fumes.
The consumption of oxygen and the production of carbon dioxide is unavoidable, but very small compared to the effects of humans and animals.

vtsnowedin · Post by **vtsnowedin** » 24 Nov 2013, 19:26

boisdevie wrote:Candles are all well and good but if the loony yank preppers are anything to do by then you need at least a dozen AK47s, a gazillion rounds of ammunition and camouflage pyjamas to stand a change or survival when those zombies (or librals or aliens) come to get you.

Well having extra won't hurt. There are a lot of Liberals and if they take away their EBT cards they will become quite nasty, Zombie like even and they may get to your Doom stead at night when you're in your PJs. But the effective nighttime camo is black just like the Vietcong used to wear.
Having seen what happened to France when it was over run by the Nazis in WW2 can you blame us Yanks for being over prepared to resist.
Edit to add: 10 Degrees F here today with 5 inches of new snow. I had to mont the plow on the tractor and plow the drives. ready or not winter is here.