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In the middle of nowhere west of Shallowater, TX (NW of Lubbock). Lamb County Electric Coop.

We stayed on the whole time, conserved energy, and no busted water lines. We were prepared if we did lose power and could have held out for a week or more. May not have been the most comfortable but we would have been OK.

Several of the communities around us lost power at times. I figure there are only 5 of us on a leg so sending a truck out to pull a fuse was more trouble than it was worth for no more electricity we were using.

While we were fairly well prepared there were a couple of holes that need to be patched up a little.

In Temple, was without power for 58 hours straight

We live in the unincorporated area of Richmond next to Sugarland which is southwest of Houston. There are 1029 homes in our community. About 60pct lost power. We did not but we live about a quarter of a mile from a major hospital so I figure we are on the same grid.

I live in Friendswood and never lost power or water. We were very lucky.

Chas.

I didn't loose power or water, conserved power. I attempted to run my amateur radio gear off my primary battery system which failed miserably. It seems that the 100AH AGM battery doesn't like temperatures below freezing (It is stored outside). Oh well, I had additional LiFePo4 batteries with smaller capacities. I simply rotated them through the shack and had them on the solar panel charging when discharged and not in use. The AGM battery is happy now that outside temperatures are a little warmer, but it's days are numbered as I have a 54AH LiFePo4 on the way. I have plans for another 54AH battery, and additional redundancy in the future.

G.A. Heath wrote: Sat Feb 20, 2021 11:19 pm I didn't loose power or water, conserved power. I attempted to run my amateur radio gear off my primary battery system which failed miserably. It seems that the 100AH AGM battery doesn't like temperatures below freezing (It is stored outside). Oh well, I had additional LiFePo4 batteries with smaller capacities. I simply rotated them through the shack and had them on the solar panel charging when discharged and not in use. The AGM battery is happy now that outside temperatures are a little warmer, but it's days are numbered as I have a 54AH LiFePo4 on the way. I have plans for another 54AH battery, and additional redundancy in the future.

What is the resting voltage of those LiFePo4 batteries? My AGMs didn't seem to hold up either and am thinking of upgrading.

Liberty wrote: Sun Feb 21, 2021 8:18 am

G.A. Heath wrote: Sat Feb 20, 2021 11:19 pm I didn't loose power or water, conserved power. I attempted to run my amateur radio gear off my primary battery system which failed miserably. It seems that the 100AH AGM battery doesn't like temperatures below freezing (It is stored outside). Oh well, I had additional LiFePo4 batteries with smaller capacities. I simply rotated them through the shack and had them on the solar panel charging when discharged and not in use. The AGM battery is happy now that outside temperatures are a little warmer, but it's days are numbered as I have a 54AH LiFePo4 on the way. I have plans for another 54AH battery, and additional redundancy in the future.

What is the resting voltage of those LiFePo4 batteries? My AGMs didn't seem to hold up either and am thinking of upgrading.

Specs say 12.8V, my AGM seems to have returned to normal but I don't think I will trust it. My current LiFEPo4 batteries are Bioenno units and I usually see around 12.7V, but they tend to be charged off a solar panel and a solar charge controller that seems to be a bit conservative with the amperage. The LiFePo4 battery I chose to replace the AGM does not have cold charging protection, however it will be maintained indoors so that is not a concern.

I may eventually breakdown and build my own AGM batteries using quality cells and charge controllers, however I feel that my best option at this time is to use name brand batteries.

I forgot to mention in my previous post I am in Seminole Tx, and my house is a about 5 blocks from the hospital so that may have played a factor in me not losing power.

My daughter lives in Little Elm and never lost power. She’s on Coserv.

We are on CoServ in our part of Flower Mound. Power was off more than on, but at least on for long enough at times for gas furnace to take chill off - and for us to cook a few quick meals. Had brought Mr. Heater Buddy home from hunting lease and went thru 2 little propane bottles for it. Fireplace, candles and running faucets got us through it all in much better shape than many others. Rather lucky, very thankful. Not looking forward to the upcoming utility bills.

We were truly blessed. We never lost power or water. A few years ago we more than doubled the amount of insulation in our attic and put in a radiant barrier. I don't think the radiant barrier did anything but the increased insulation sure didn't hurt.

We may be on the same grid as a level 1 trauma center.

I live in Friendswood. I never lost power or natural gas. Water pressure dropped and I am under a boil water notice, but that is the worst that happened to me.

We just went to a customers home in an unincorporated part of Lucas Texas. He never lost power. We have a few others on the outskirts of Mckinney who also never lost power.

Never lost power, but, we have a Fire Station and some natural gas infrastructure close by.
Lost water for a half day on an hours notice, and had to boil for a few days.
Given what others had to deal with, wife and I are very grateful.

Toughest part was reaching out to friends who were out of power and not knowing if they declined our invitations to take a spare bedroom with us due to COVID, fear of leaving their house to monitor for water damage, or, maybe we just smell bad with no water for showering (conserving) for a few days.

We had power every 6 to 8 hours for 30 minutes at a time. The only thing that kept us alive was my stack of firewood. It was brutally cold (-5 Tuesday morning) and I never let the fire go out.

In Flower Mound, did not lose power, but did have very intermittent internet until Thursday morning.

Jeff B.