We all know how annoying those blackouts can be. Unless you have a UPS system or a backup power source (like a small generator) for the important
electronics that keep most households running smoothly, all that can come to a grinding halt when the power goes out. Although most old-fashioned telephones will still work, those glitzy cordless units will probably be out of service once the power fails.
Not to mention computers, broadband modems, refrigerators, air conditioning systems, and more will all be on the blink if power goes out. What to do? Well, if you're into powering some small but important things that can help guide you through an outage -- like lighting and maybe that cordless phone (after all) -- how about tapping into the voltage coming in through your home phone line? Yes, many of us still have home phones these days, contrary to the cellphone industry's claim that landline phones are on their way out.
Watch the video below to see just how easy this hack is. The parts may set you back about $10 or so (if that), and some electronics knowledge may come in handy. But if you want a
free ride on someone else's electricity bill, or just like stickin' it to AT&T or Verizon, this may be right up your alley. It won't power much, but it could get you through a dark time in the future, as well as provide some neat conversation for house guests.
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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)
That is sure interesting. I never knew that there was still power running through those phone lines.
ReplyThere is another way to get free electricity during an outage and it's a lot simpler than yours. Have you ever heard of a power inverter? It's a small machine that converts the DC current of a battery into AC current, which is the type found in your house.
We have many power outages in California and when they occur, we just hook up our inverter to a spare car battery we keep in the house and start plugging in what we need. You can plug in your cell phone charger and keep your cell phone working through the whole outage. Our inverter has 3 outlets, so we can also plug in a lamp and a small TV or a radio.
It's just another way to survive a power outage and you can get more information at http://www.energyigloo.com.