Power Outage

A thunderstorm popped up last night causing a power outage at my home. I waited a few hours to see if power was going to be restored quickly. After seeing that only 10 homes were affected I determined that power was going to be off for a while so I got out my emergency generator.

I do not have my electrical distribution panel wired to accept a feed from my emergency generator so I utilize 10ga extension cords to distribute generator power to items I want to power in my home. I ran power to my freezer, refrigerator, sump pump and a light. I left my generator running overnight in case my sump pump was needed. Power was restored the next morning. I came away with the following concerns following my short power outage:

Positive
1) I had plenty of 10ga cords, of sufficient length, to distribute power. I have a 10ga 3 outlet cord end to run multiple small items like a fan and light in the same area.
2) I have a cable lock for my generator. I placed my generator outside my garage and backed my truck up to the garage. I locked my generator to the class III hitch on my truck. This set up worked well.
3) My generator started on the first pull. I test it every fall and use Sea Foam additive in the gas.
4) I have a large zero turn lawn mover so I keep multiple 5 gallon gas cans which also provide fuel for my generator.

Negative
1) While my generator is set up to power my gas fired furnace during cold weather it is not big enough to power my heat pump during the summer. It is less common to have power outages due to summer storms but I will have to consider upgrading to a large generator that will power my heat pump.
2) I do not have battery back up on my basement sump pump. It has been on my to do list but I have delayed purchase. I did replace my sump pump this winter under preventive maintenance. I had to run my generator continuously to power my sump pump. If I had battery back up, I would only have to run my generator every few hours to keep my freezer and refrigator cold and potentionally charge a sump pump battery. I am shopping for battery back up to add to my sump pump.

Nothing like a minor emergency to let you test your gear in a real life situation.

M1 Garand Part 1 & 2

Blake did these videos with a friend and his M1 Garand.  As always you can get your ammo at Sunflowerammo.com. Enjoy.

Snugpak Sleeper Lite Video

You can purchase this sleeping bag at Sunflowerammo.com .
I use this bag myself and it is hard to beat at this price.
  

After action gear report

Homemade alcohol stove

It took about 10 minutes to boil 1.5 quarts of water.

Fire starter field tests

Camp set up - Simple Shelter

2 Day Pack Camping Trip Gear Load Out

A lot of this gear is available at SunflowerAmmo.com.

We finally got a little 380ACP in stock!

Sunflowerammo.com now has 380ACP in Stock!  We don't have much so get it while it lasts.
  
Remington 380 ACP 102 gr Ultimate Home Defense 25/box

New items this week at Sunflowerammo.com

New 4Sevens Quark 123 Tactical in at SunflowerAmmo.com

I have a hard time keeping an EDC flashlight in my pocket because I end up showing it to someone and they buy the flashlight.  My newest EDC flashlight is the Quark 123 Tactical.  This one is staying in my pocket but you can order yours at SunflowerAmmo.com. 4Sevens Quark MiNi 123 Tactical - No clip

New TRAUMA PACK from Adventure Medical in at SunflowerAmmo.com

Adventure Medical hit this one out of the ballpark.  This kit is the perfect addition to your existing first aid kits or stand alone in your range bag or with your outdoor gear. Adventure Medical Trauma Pak with Quickclot

Other new gear in at SunflowerAmmo.com

Zippo Emergency Fire Starter Kit Remington® Rem™ Oil Wipes Esbit Large Fuel Tabs

New media sucks time

I have been busy lately and neglecting my blog updates. Between YouTube, the blog, twitter and Facebook there are not enough hours in the day. We continue to add to our inventory every week.

I had a camping trip planned for this weekend to test a bunch of new gear but the weather forecast has delayed it a couple of weeks. I will do a blog entry with the results as I will have too much feedback for the YouTube videos.

Before and after Mini-14 Accu-Strut installation

You can get your Accu-Strut LT at SunflowerAmmo.com These are before and after videos of the Accu-Strut installation on my personal Ruger Mini-14.  I saw a 50% improvement in group size.  I need to get it on a rifle rest to see how small I can get my groups with iron sights. 

April Free Drawing

The March FREE drawing winner is Justin Pavao.

The April FREE drawing will be for a Spyderco Byrd Meadowlark Rescue Knife.  

You must be signed up to our newsletter to be eligible for the monthly FREE drawings! 


Subscribe to the Sunflower Outdoor Sports newsletter

ACCU-Strut LT for Ruger Mini-14/30s

I went shooting this weekend.  My primary purpose, not that I need one to go shooting, was to get some groups out of my mini-14.  We (Sunflowerommo.com) just started stocking the ACCU-Strut LT for Ruger Mini-14/30s.  I will be fitting one to my personal Ruger Mini-14 and posting the results.  The manufacturer claims a 50% to 75% reduction in group sizes on straight barrel Ruger mini-14/30s.  I will be shooting my "after" groups this weekend and will post my results.

 

Condor Urban GO BAG

Condor Urban GO BAG at SunflowerAmmo.com

USK I - Urban Survival Kit I now available at SunflowerAmmo.com

USK I - Urban Survival Kit


The USK I - Urban Survival Kit is a SunflowerAmmo.com exclusive. If Nieman Marcuis were to sell a survial kit this would be it. Every item in this kit is of the highest quality. The USK I was developed for the individual that lives and/or works in an Urban/Suburban area. This bag is ready to deal with any situation you may encounter in an Urban environment. If there is a crisis in your workplace how will you get home? There are thousands of different possible scenarios.

Standard laptop bags do have room for your other essential gear. Standard tactical bags are not configured to carry a laptop. The Condor Urban GO BAG is a spacious tactical backpack with a intergrated padded laptop carrying area. Your laptop is stored away from your other gear. You can always have your Urban Survival gear on your person.

USK I content:
Condor Urban GO Bag - OD green

Condor EMT pouch - OD Green (Can hold the included med kit)
Paracord Zipper Pulls - OD Green
Adventure Medical Field Trauma kit with QuickClot
Snugpack Poncho w compression sack - Blk - fits over coat and pack.
Fenix TK-40 LED flashlight - 630 Lumens on AAs
4Sevens Quark AA Turbo - 206 Lumens on AAs
Brunton GLORB AA Lantern
TOPS pry knife combo - The combo comes with the pry bar knife, the Pry, Probe and Punch bar and the TOPS survival saw.
Leatherman Surge - Multitool with locking blades
Al Mar Eagle Ultralight - Lightweight offensive/defensive knife
CRKT Extrik-8-R seat belt cutter - Blk
MSI Bear Pepper Mace with holster - 260 gram - 30 ft range
Fisher Bullet Space Pen - Matte Blk
Katadyn Exstream water bottle w/ filter
Brunton Titanium Spork
550 Para Cord - 25' Blk
550 Para Cord - 25' Orange
Wet Fire Tender - 6 pack
Water purification tablets (2)

Springfield Armory M1A Scout Squad

Get your 7.62x51mm ammo for your M1A at SunflowerAmmo.com

Part 1




Part 2

Great deal on 16oz Desiccant bags

SunflowerAmmo.com secured a batch of 16oz Desiccant bags.  Get them here. They are cheap enough to put in your gun safe and every ammo can.

Why does our Government not secure our Southern Border?

US Consulate personnel murdered in border town.  Link to article here.

M1A SOCOM II range - shoot

Get your 7.62x51mm at sunflowerammo.com.  Blake is doing a fantastic job on our videos.  There is a link to our YouTube Channels at the right.