Spending your money - on what?

[LQB]

Thanks for the comments in this thread, it's interesting and thought provoking.

Hypothetically, if one doesn't 'own' their own land - would it be considered wise and a good time to take out a mortgage to get some?

That's one option, but it may be easier (and cheaper) to lease land if you have in mind animal/farm ops. If you want a place to "retreat" to, then that is another issue.

 

[meta-agnostic]

Thanks for the comments in this thread, it's interesting and thought provoking.

Hypothetically, if one doesn't 'own' their own land - would it be considered wise and a good time to take out a mortgage to get some?

That's one option, but it may be easier (and cheaper) to lease land if you have in mind animal/farm ops. If you want a place to "retreat" to, then that is another issue.

I think this is one of the crucial considerations some of us have right now. Considering no one truly 'owns' the land in a metaphysical, indigenous sense. Many default mortgages are not even being collected or foreclosed on right now thanks to the nightmare of MERS ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortgage_Electronic_Registration_Systems ). Institutional creditors will surely be among the first told to shove off when things really go south, and they'll likely still be viciously trying to collect their debts as long as the system is still available to do it. Taking out a new mortgage is a gamble like always, but if you're prepared to pack up and leave at the drop of a hat ('jingle mail' or 'bug out' either/or) then it could certainly be a gamble worth taking.

Renting or otherwise dealing with more of a mom & pop operation might be an easier undertaking, provided you take into account the ethical considerations of how you might deal with the mom & pop when SHTF. I would think in most cases if there is no obvious way to pay because money is worthless, you could offer to do some other favors/exchange with them or depending on who has the more favorable location, they don't necessarily kick you out at the barrel of a gun but you have some involuntary roommates for a while. Theoretically, whether you move into a large plot in the country or a small apartment, it's yours for as long as you and whoever you have to help you can 'defend' it.

 

[JGeropoulas]

Here's a good list of essentials to stockpile for emergencies:

_http://www.bepreparedforum.com/showthread.php?738-The-1st-100-things-to-run-out-in-an-emergency

 

[Nancy2feathers]

Today I saw a Western Electric,1940`s (in working order) Magnito hand crank generator for sale. Would anyone know if you can hook up an appliance to it, say a washer and crank away?! I`m not sure how it works,lol. That would be creating some intentional energy! or if a generator of this type would be useful in the future? Is it possible to charge say a car battery with this generator? I was thinking car battery for electric fencing for animals. I know there are solar chargers, but we might not always have sunny days. It`s on my local auction site for $50.00.

I tried to get info online, but did`t I couldn`t find anything on how it works.

 

[LQB]

Today I saw a Western Electric,1940`s (in working order) Magnito hand crank generator for sale. Would anyone know if you can hook up an appliance to it, say a washer and crank away?! I`m not sure how it works,lol. That would be creating some intentional energy! or if a generator of this type would be useful in the future? Is it possible to charge say a car battery with this generator? I was thinking car battery for electric fencing for animals. I know there are solar chargers, but we might not always have sunny days. It`s on my local auction site for $50.00.

I tried to get info online, but did`t I couldn`t find anything on how it works.

After a quick search, that sounds like part of an old crank telephone - I doubt that it would be very useful as a charger. Need to find what it's output is to be sure.

 

[meta-agnostic]

Today I saw a Western Electric,1940`s (in working order) Magnito hand crank generator for sale. Would anyone know if you can hook up an appliance to it, say a washer and crank away?! I`m not sure how it works,lol. That would be creating some intentional energy! or if a generator of this type would be useful in the future? Is it possible to charge say a car battery with this generator? I was thinking car battery for electric fencing for animals. I know there are solar chargers, but we might not always have sunny days. It`s on my local auction site for $50.00.

I tried to get info online, but did`t I couldn`t find anything on how it works.

This generator you're talking about sounds great. It does make a difference if it's AC or DC and how many volts but in any case with the proper converter it should be able to charge a car battery (or deep cycle 12v lead acid battery preferred. Deep cycle batteries can be discharged 50% or more of their capacity and recharged with minimal damage whereas a typical car battery can only withstand minimal discharge or larger discharge for a very short time before it's toast)

I've been looking for something like this that's mass-marketed. You would think with all the prepper mania out there it would be easy to find but this is about all I've come up with:

_http://pedalpowergenerator.com/
Build your own bicycle powered generator, or apply those same principles to build some other type of human-powered generator. The site seems to have changed since I last looked at it to mostly include videos now. It had order links for all the component parts, you just have to have the money and the wherewithal to put it together.

_http://www.freeplayenergy.com/shop/freecharge-12v-charger
A 1 or 2 amp 12v hand crank charger. Better for small electronics, I suppose it would be possible to charge a large 12v battery with this but it's going to take a pretty long time and you'd be pretty worn out. Better to find a way to attach it to some other mechanism, i.e. windmill, water mill, bicycle, etc. It says $40 to order them from the company but they were on amazon a couple years ago for $25.

_http://www.engadget.com/2005/11/16/freeplay-freecharge-weza-pedal-powered-generator/
_http://www.modernoutpost.com/gear/details/fp_weza.php
The freeplay WEZA foot pedal generator. This seems like it, the thing we've been looking for. But it's been discontinued! All attempts I've made to actually order one have led to dead ends, and since it looks to have been a few years since it's been manufactured, any that were still around would probably need the battery replaced since dormant batteries have a shelf life.

It's not too tough to create a current by just moving a motor to charge a battery but to do it right and on a larger scale you need all the proper components i.e. blocking diode so the battery doesn't move the motor, charge controller so the battery doesn't overcharge, mounting equipment, etc. Something like the WEZA that could work like a sewing or organ pedal could sure come in handy. But although it relies on the sun, a solar panel to at least maintain a charge or trickle charge a 12v battery can be gotten for pretty cheap.

Added re: LQB's post: yes, output specs make a lot of difference for this sort of thing. Someone who knows what they're doing could modify things to fit a specific situation but you'd be better off with something that already fits the purpose you're looking for.

 

[Nancy2feathers]

I posted some pics. I know it`s hard to tell by looking at picks what this thing can do. The person that put it up for sale said it could generate 120 volts.( Not sure if they really know that to be true). At first I thought it might be something useful for future use. When I looked online all I could find was the old telephone crank, like LQB said. i think I`ll probably pass on it.

 

[meta-agnostic]

I posted some pics. I know it`s hard to tell by looking at picks what this thing can do. The person that put it up for sale said it could generate 120 volts.( Not sure if they really know that to be true). At first I thought it might be something useful for future use. When I looked online all I could find was the old telephone crank, like LQB said. i think I`ll probably pass on it.

In the right hands it definitely looks like it could be of some value, but that's $50 and also storing it; it looks like it has a rather large footprint. If the seller doesn't know much but they will let you try it out, there's always hooking up a multimeter to it and seeing what it reads for output.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multimeter

EDIT:
After doing a little more research, I think your main problem is going to be rigging this thing to generate a continuous enough current to actually charge a battery. The old telephone cranks were used mainly for short signaling and not meant to be cranked continuously for a long period of time. Trying to hand crank it long enough to charge a battery would probably wear someone out fast. Not to say it couldn't be put to use with modification, or in some other way. This website says they can be used for fishing! : _http://www.oldphoneman.com/FSMagnetos.htm

 

[LQB]

Added re: LQB's post: yes, output specs make a lot of difference for this sort of thing. Someone who knows what they're doing could modify things to fit a specific situation but you'd be better off with something that already fits the purpose you're looking for.

Yes, something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/BatteryMINDer-Solar-Charging-System-SCC-015/dp/B000JS268M/ref=sr_1_11?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1401107860&sr=1-11&keywords=battery+minder

will keep many 12V batteries charged and healthy.

 

[Dirgni]

I am purchasing Lauras books and others in the recommended books list in the book version.

For example the latest one: Earth Changes and the Human-Cosmic Connection

 

[fabric]

I posted some pics. I know it`s hard to tell by looking at picks what this thing can do. The person that put it up for sale said it could generate 120 volts.( Not sure if they really know that to be true). At first I thought it might be something useful for future use. When I looked online all I could find was the old telephone crank, like LQB said. i think I`ll probably pass on it.

I wouldn't totally discount it.... you could take something like that and hook it up to a stationary bike. It would be a little easier than cranking and you can charge your phones or even watch TV :P

_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0x5j8_PKZw

 

[edgitarra]

I was talking with my parents today about a possible major event that could put their lives in danger, and as we discussed we reached to an interesting idea on how to keep safe some resources away from thieves and any other people that could cause harm in order to take what you have. Mainly, the idea was to gather all kinds of canned foods, that can stay edible for long periods of time, store them in a wooden box, or metal boxes etc. and then digging them in the ground in some specific locations known to the owner. In this way you can protect yourself from thieves and you also have more space for other things in the house. But this depends on each person, and where they live, if they are allowed to dig holes:).

 

[Altair]

I guess, much more important is to practice external considering: just not to talk to others (except your relatives and near friends) about you preparations.

 

[edgitarra]

I guess, much more important is to practice external considering: just not to talk to others (except your relatives and near friends) about you preparations.

Yes, the information can spread easily just because of the other's sarcasm - "this guy...he is so paranoid. And it can affect relationships really bad. But when the "fan will be hit" they will become possible enemies. For example, I've been discussing this with my parents because they feel something bad is on the way(this is based on their view about the weather). And since they slowly started to buy a few things and can some stuff we had a discussion about it.

 

[HowToBe]

Today I saw a Western Electric,1940`s (in working order) Magnito hand crank generator for sale. Would anyone know if you can hook up an appliance to it, say a washer and crank away?! I`m not sure how it works,lol. That would be creating some intentional energy! or if a generator of this type would be useful in the future? Is it possible to charge say a car battery with this generator? I was thinking car battery for electric fencing for animals. I know there are solar chargers, but we might not always have sunny days. It`s on my local auction site for $50.00.

I tried to get info online, but did`t I couldn`t find anything on how it works.

This generator you're talking about sounds great. It does make a difference if it's AC or DC and how many volts but in any case with the proper converter it should be able to charge a car battery (or deep cycle 12v lead acid battery preferred. Deep cycle batteries can be discharged 50% or more of their capacity and recharged with minimal damage whereas a typical car battery can only withstand minimal discharge or larger discharge for a very short time before it's toast)

I've been looking for something like this that's mass-marketed. You would think with all the prepper mania out there it would be easy to find but this is about all I've come up with:

Here's a website to check out:
_http://www.prestowind.com/
They create a series of hand cranked and solar powered portable generators they call "Crank-a-Watt(TM)". They use deep-cycle batteries, and have a built in alternator, (which is EM shielded), inverter, and power plug. They are made in the U.S. and therefore are designed for U.S. appliances.

I first heard about them on Suspicious0bserver's youtube channel a year or two ago. Here's the website's opening sales pitch:

"In the aftermath of a disaster, there are two types of survivors - the have watts, and the have not's"(TM) - Tim Moeller, MSME 1989

Welcome to Moeller Engineering, Cincinnati. Established in 1959, we manufacture a complete line of EMP Proof Hand Crank, Bike Pedal, and Solar Generators. Used Worldwide for camping, recreation, off grid living, emergency and survival. Proudly Made In The USA.

There will always be Hurricanes - Floods - Tornado's - Earthquakes - Fires - Grid Failures and unforeseen Calamity. Crank-a-Watt(TM) products are about self reliance, plain and simple. Taking responsibility for yourself and your family. Crank-a-Watt(TM) products deliver Peace of Mind, in Troubled Times.