Learn How to Reduce the Risks of Tanning Beds

By Adam C. Murray

So you want to get tan? Welcome to the world of tanning. But how will you begin your journey to that "golden" land? Developing a tan has come a long way since tanning became popular early in the 20th century, when Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel (creator of that famous line of perfumes) started a fashion trend when she accidentally got a tan, sailing from Paris to Cannes, aboard the yacht of the Duke of Westminster.

Today, almost anyone can get a tan indoors, with the rapid growth of those popular tanning salons opening in every city. Now you'll want your journey to be a safe one and with every journey there are choices to make, different roads to take and advice to get from those who have taken the journey before. Let's prepare properly for this journey by becoming aware of the "rules of the road" to tanning.

No Burning

Perhaps the most important rule of the road to a great tan is, "No burning allowed". Just as speeding on the highway is dangerous, so also is trying to "speed" your way to a tan by burning. It is dangerous and actually counterproductive to your goal. Let me tell you why. Your skin knows how to protect itself against the effects of the sun's ultraviolet rays, or in this case, the effects of tanning beds you might be laying on.

When certain UV rays hit your skin, it reacts with a complex process that ends in the production of melanin, a protein that protects your skin from UV rays. And guess what? Melanin is tan in color! But if the skin receives too much UV light in too short a period of time it will turn red, an indication that it could not produce that protein fast enough to protect itself. And, instead of a tan, you've got a burn.

What's worse is now the skin has to spend time repairing itself instead of producing melanin. So what's the rule here? You will not get to your goal of tanning any faster by trying to burn your way there. It's dangerous and actually makes the whole process longer because you've damaged your skin with a burn, instead of protecting it with a tan.

Know Your Own Body

One very important question to ask yourself is, what's your skin type? When you get into a car you need to know what that car can and cannot do. The same thing is true for your body. As you might have guessed, the lighter your natural skin, hair and eye color, the more difficult it will be to get a tan. There are variations to this rule so combine it with what you already know about your own body. And I hate to rain on your parade, but if you burn easily in the sun and have a lot of trouble tanning, you're not going to have any more success with tanning beds.

Medical Considerations

Have you ever gotten a prescription from the pharmacy that warned you about the dangers of driving while taking that medication? Believe it or not, there are quite a number of medications (both prescription and over-the-counter types) that increase the potential dangers of tanning beds, because they sharply increase your skin's sensitivity to UV rays and therefore sunburn.

Another consideration if you're a woman, is that of pregnancy. Although UV rays don't penetrate past your skin, pregnancy and tanning beds include other concerns. The bulbs that tanning beds use can produce quite a bit of heat that might be uncomfortable and possibly harmful. If you're in the later months of pregnancy, you wouldn't be comfortable climbing into a tiny sports car and a tanning bed might be a bit of a challenge for you as well.

Finally, there is the issue of tanning beds and cancer. If you have a personal history of skin cancer, are tanning beds safe? The answer is unfortunately no, they are not. If you have any doubts or questions about this section you should check with your personal physician, before embarking on this road to tanning.

Choosing The Right Facility

Last but not least on your road to a golden tan is choosing the best and safest place to get that tan. All tanning beds are not equal. So which one should you use and how long should you use it for? The person responsible for this is the Tanning Facility representative. And the professional salon with the most responsible representative is your goal to find. Here are a few items that will help you determine what salons are trustworthy:

1. Were you asked to fill out a tanning profile before you begin your actual tanning?

2. Were you given a statement about radiation that you were asked to read and sign?

3. Were you asked what medications you are currently using?

4. Were you instructed in the proper use of protective eyewear?

5. Were you cautioned not to tan outdoors within 24 hrs of using the tanning beds?

6. Were you given adequate instructions as to the operation of the equipment?

7. Is the facility clean?

8. Are the tanning beds cleaned after each client's use?

If you entered a tanning bed facility and were not met with the above questions and care, you might as well leave and keep looking. The operators are responsible to help you get to your goal of tanning as safely as possible, based on what your relationship to tanning has been in the past.

They are trained to know how long you should spend on your first visit, your second visit and on from there. They will explain the process to you so you will achieve your goal in the safest way possible. They should not allow you to put yourself in danger by taking unnecessary risks. To put yourself into their hands means just that! Be reasonably sure before you take that step.

Adam Murray is the writer and owner of Home Tanning Beds. This site contains a lot of useful articles such as the downsides of cheap tanning bed bulbs, what the big deal about wolff tanning beds is, and much more.

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Neon Signs vs EL Wire Signs

By P Laboon

Neon signs are great advertising for any business. Every neon sign made is handcrafted; despite the advancement in technology, the manufacturing of a sign just cannot be done by a machine. According to the design wanted, the artisan heats a glass tube into a pliable shape and then moulds the design and lettering as per the requirements. During this process of continuous heating and bending, air is let into the tube to maintain its hollow shape. After the designing is done, the tubes are vacuumed out using a suction pump, after which an inert gas is let into the tube—this gas determines the color of the neon sign. The gas-filled tube glows when current is passed through it ionizing the gas, thus causing it to glow. Neon gas tubes do not contain any filament like an ordinary light bulb, so their life spans are very long, ranging from ten to fifteen years.

Smaller neon tube diameters are easier to bend into written works but are not as distinguishable from a distance. Larger tube diameters are more visible from a distance, and are more effective in illuminating store front letters, but cannot be practically formed into smaller written applications. Larger diameter neon tubing is less brilliant.

Because of the work involved, neon signs are usually expensive.

What is an EL-Wire sign? EL-Wire (electroluminescent wire) is a cool running, flexible, lightweight, low power consumption light source. The wire itself has a copper core coated with phosphor and plastic. Around that plastic coated core are two ultra thin wires, and the whole assembly is encased in clear or colored plastic to give it color. EL-Wire runs on an AC current at 400-4000 hz, so you must attach it to an inverter or sequencer. Inverters and sequencers run on 1.5-12 Volts DC, so you can get one small enough to fit in your pocket or one large enough to light your entire car or business sign. There is a huge variety of options available in EL-Wire, inverters, and sequencers so that you can use EL-Wire nearly anywhere.

EL Wire Signs can be created with in fine detail that you just can't get with neon and no glass tubes to break. Signs can be powered by battery, solar, or wall plug. Any design can be used to create a rugged, bright, and long lasting sign.

El wire signs are not as expensive, can be customized, do not get hot and are much lighter than traditional neon signs, are flexible so any style of font can be used, can last for thousands of hours, and uses 1/10th of the power of a traditional neon sign.

Eyeflow Neon Signs offers cheap neon signs that not only can be custom designed as neon real estate signs but also available as neon car kits.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=P_Laboon

Simple Ways You Can Help Stop Global Warming

By Dawn Burden Bates

What Exactly Is Global Warming?

In simple terms, global warming refers to an overabundance of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. This carbon dioxide traps heat and acts like a blanket warming the earth. Humans are contributing to the excess amounts of carbon dioxide present in our atmosphere in many ways.

• The emissions from the cars we drive
• The polluting factories used to make everyday items
• The power plants that produce non-renewable electricity for our every day lives

All of these things that we rely on and typically take for granted are making the earth a less friendly environment for us... for our children.

Global Warming is not a question of if, but when? Our actions today have an enormous effect on the answer to that question. Every decision, every purchase, every action you do will either help or hurt the future of life on our planet.
Do you want to HELP or HURT?

I can only assume that if you are reading this you want to HELP stop global warming. And I am going to give you some simple ways to help stop global warming. A few small changes today can be the difference between a healthy or unhealthy planet for our children and grandchildren.

If you are just starting to learn ways you can stop global warming, you can start small, and start immediately. After you have the basics down, you can take it a step further and do even more.

These simple actions are easy ways to stop global warming. You can start today with no investment of additional time or money. Just a few minor changes to make in your everyday life.

Turn off Lights, Appliances and Other Items Operated by Electricity When They Aren't in Use

It seems like common sense, but even I have caught myself leaving a room without turning off the light. Pay closer attention to your family's habits. Then become more insistent that items are OFF when not in use.

Savings: 1000 pounds of carbon dioxide and $256 per year.

Unplug Appliances and Electric Items When Not in Use

Most people are likely unaware that even when an item is switched off, some current continues to be pulled by the cords. This is especially true of items that have the large AC adapter units incorporated on their cords. This wastes electricity creating more pollution and costing you more money.

Savings: 1000 pounds of carbon dioxide and $256 per year.

Run Your Dishwasher Only When it is Full

Again, it seems like common sense, but it is also an important step to conserving both water and electricity. Not only does the dishwasher itself run on electricity, but remember that the water has to be heated and causes additional energy consumption. Always run it on the lowest setting possible. There's no need to run a cycle for pots and pans in you have a load of only dishes. And if you have time, and your dishwasher is equipped, allow the load to air dry.

Savings: 100 pounds of carbon dioxide and $40 per year.

Run Your Washer and Dryer For Full Loads of Laundry Only

Basically the same reasoning as the dishwasher. Use cold water whenever possible and consider allowing your clothes to air dry (it will keep them from shrinking too).

Savings: 700 pounds of carbon dioxide and $75 per year.

Take Shorter Showers

Showers account for 2/3 of all water heating costs. Shorten your daily shower (or even skip a day if you can).

Savings: 350 pounds of carbon dioxide and $99 per year.

Check the Thermostat on Your Water Heater

Keep it at 120° Fahrenheit or below. Not only is this a good idea for environmental reasons, it also helps protect our kids (and even some of us adults) from being scalded by water that is too hot.

Savings: 550 pounds of carbon dioxide and $30 per year.

Check Your Home Thermostat

Instead of turning up the heat in the winter, wear sweaters and heavier clothing inside so that you can turn it down 2 degrees. Do this along with turning it up 2 degrees in the summer.

Savings: 2000 pounds of carbon dioxide and $98 per year.

Keep Your Tires Inflated

Check your car tires each month to ensure they are properly inflated. Under inflated tires wastes gasoline and wears your tires out faster.

Savings: 250 pounds of carbon dioxide and $850 per year.

Buy Local Produce

Shop local farmer's markets or check your grocer's shelves for products grown in your area. This reduces transportation requirements to bring these items to your area from other areas of the country or even the world. In addition, buy only seasonal produce to reduce demand for un-seasonable fruit and veggies that are imported from other areas.

Savings: hundreds of pounds of carbon dioxide and hundreds of dollars per year.

Carpool

To work, to school to the shopping mall. Share a ride with a friend or co-worker and keep unnecessary cars off the road (maybe traffic will improve as well).

Savings: 750 pounds of carbon dioxide and hundreds of dollars per year.

Be Idle Free

Contrary to popular believe, allowing your car to idle instead of turning off the engine for short stops is NOT better for your vehicle. If your car idles for more than 10 seconds, it is equivalent to the fuel required to restart it. So if you are planning to stop longer than 10 seconds, turn off your engine. So when you are at the drive through window or picking your child up from school, turn off the engine.

Savings: hundreds of pounds of carbon dioxide and hundreds of dollars per year.

Each of these is an action item you can take TODAY! You don't have to invest a dime to make these changes to help stop global warming. And they even save you money. What's not to like about that?

Dawn Burden Bates is a wife, mother and a life-long devoted environmentalist. She has worked to promote ways to avoid additional damage to the environment since childhood. Her website, A Recycling Revolution (http://www.recycling-revolution.com), provides simple tips and information on what you can do everyday to help make the world a better place for our children and grandchildren.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dawn_Burden_Bates

Find Casio Sy 30 2.7 Portable Color LCD TV at the Lowest Price Possible!

By Allen Jesson

Well the holidays are over, but that doesn't mean the entertainment has to end along with it. You still crave the feel of getting your favorite programs, sports events, reality shows, news or weather broadcasts whenever and where ever you want them! Why should you have to leave any of that behind? Now, you don't! Take for instance the Casio SY-30 2.7-Inch Portable Color LCD TV, the tiny TV you can take anywhere! Not only is it hand held and perfectly portable, but this little guy has some awesome features!

Check them out! The Casio SY-30 2.7-Inch Portable Color LCD TV features a 2.7 inch color screen, water and shock resistant (a great feature if you have small children around), anti-glare passive matrix technology (Ti-STN) which ensures you get the best possible visibility, even in the noon sun, 118,800 pixels (that's a lot of pixels) for outstanding picture clarity, AC input, external antenna jack, A/V input jack (lets you hook up an external device such as a video-game console or a camcorder), earphone jack (great for kids or frequent flyers), rod antenna (for a little extra help in places with lower reception, and your choice of either AC or battery operation! By the way, you get approximately 4 hours battery life from 4 AA batteries (not included).

Perfect for home, office, air, train or bus travel, for your car, boat even your horse trailer. Perfect for camping, fishing or hunting trips! Excellent for those sports and reality fans! Take it with you to the pool or the beach! You can use it in your kitchen, garage, workshop, greenhouse, outhouse, on your roof, in your basement, attic or closet! Great for businessmen, truck drivers or even college students away from home! Who couldn't benefit from carrying around one of these Casio SY-30 2.7-Inch Portable Color LCD TV's? It's also a perfect addition to your emergency kit for events when you can't get to your regular television set. Great for hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, earthquakes, meteor showers or any other natural disaster where you are forced to hunker down. Feel safe when you send your kids out for a sleepover or scouting trip because they will always have access to their favorite programs and news stations!

Now you never have to miss your favorite programs while away from your home television. When you're going to be on the road or out of doors and you just have to catch the game, you'll want a TV as small as your pocket and as rugged as you. Plus, it's small enough to fit into your backpack, purse, or briefcase! Never be stuck without access to civilization again, and at a total weight of 1 pound you can carry it anywhere! On top of all of these excellent features it has a full one-year parts/labor warranty. Duh, it's a Casio SY-30 2.7-Inch Portable Color LCD TV!

The Casio SY-30 2.7-Inch Portable Color LCD TV make a great Christmas, Birthday, Graduation or Anniversary gift! However, please note that after February 17th, 2009 you will need a converter box to receive broadcasts.

Digitally Does It has a large selection of digital cameras, including more information on Casio sy 30 2.7 Portable Color LCD TV and a wide range of other top notch digital products! New coupon codes and special offers are presented daily. Visit us at http://www.digitallydoesit.com/ for some very exciting and exclusive offers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Allen_Jesson

Cute Soccer Chick

By Joshua White

One of my favorite shoot-downs came during the summer I signed up to play in a city adult recreation soccer league. I had heard the soccer league was a lot of fun, but it had been many years since I've ever played soccer back in school, so I also signed up to take the 3 hour refresher course they offered right before the season started. Right after I arrived, a girl parked next to me. She was obviously there for soccer, the cleats and shin guards gave it away, so I started talking to her.

Her name was Katie, she seemed friendly and was very pretty. She had amazing legs. I took every attempt to talk to her over the next few hours. When the clinic finished, I walked with her to her car. Then, my friend Andy walked over and joined the conversation. This was completely unacceptable. How could Andy just walk over and interrupt when I was clearly making my big move? After a few glares he finally wandered off and I was able to ask her if she wanted to get together some time. She said sure, so I asked for her phone number and she tore a corner of paper from a bill she had in her car and gave it to me.

That was definitely a number I didn't want to lose. Two days later I gave her a call. A very nice older lady answered when I called, but she had never heard of Katie. The phone number turned out to just like Pamela Anderson's breasts. That's right, completely fake. The really odd thing was that the girl and I were playing in the same soccer league, how do you give a fake number to someone you are going to bump into almost every week? Since we were at the same soccer fields and I recognized her car, I returned her fake number to her. After one of my games, I took the scrap of paper she gave me and I slipped it inside her car window.

Contrary to what my friends say, I don't think that makes me a stalker. I just figured that since the number was defective, perhaps I could return it for a refund. I still have a copy of the original 'return ticket.' Anyway, I thought the return slip was pretty darn funny, not sure what she thought about it.

Chill Factor = 4 out of 5 ice cubes

A fake phone number, especially to someone you're going to see almost every week, is pretty harsh.

To read more of Joshua's humorous tales of dating misadventures, they're updated frequently on the Funny Stories Blog

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Achieving The Best Fuel Economy Is Finally Cheap, Easiest And Accurately Than Ever

By Elena Maria Db Orsos

In engineers' terms, fuel efficiency means the thermal capacity of converting the energy contained in the fuel to kinetic energy, or work, needed to move your car. For a vehicle, fuel efficiency means the output one gets for a unit amount of fuel input, such as "miles per gallon" or "litters per 100 kilometers". For you, fuel efficiency simply means less fuel wasted and more money in your pocket.
The automotive industry believed that by maintaining the air/fuel ratio of 14.7:1 by electronic means, like electronic fuel injection and electronic ignition systems, they had already achieved the best combustion process that assures the best fuel economy.

Unfortunately this is not always true because is not sufficiently known, but there are a lot of very ordinary daily driving situations that makes than the engine operate steady at low speeds, creating less temperature in the combustion chamber. It makes that the stock spark plugs results operating too cold, which affects the combustion process, because the low temperature do not allows burning completely the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber.

Unburned fuel is wasted fuel and you paid for it. Wasted fuel is wasted money.

These very common driving or traffic conditions are:

• Steady city driving, where prolonged idling or short distances and stop-and-go driving prevails.

• Extended low speed driving, or short distance driving or even in the freeway driving where the automatic transmission maintains the engine under 3000 RPM.

• Low speed cruising.

• At high elevations, above 3000 ft.

• Weather conditions, where the humidity rises.

• Moreover, these conditions may combine in endless ways.

And believe it or not, this situation is not the exception, in fact is almost the rule for more than the 75% of the cars worldwide. You can confirm it simply by seen the exits of the exhaust tips in any parking zone and in anywhere around you. Most of them are covered with dry black soot produced by the unburned fuel. And this is not due to an incorrect air/fuel mixture adjustment in the carburetor or the fuel injection system; even this occurs in a well maintained vehicle which just passed the smog test satisfactorily.

This is because the stock spark plugs are being too cold for those operating conditions, consequently are no longer adequate and must be substituted by spark plugs with a different and hotter heat range.

Why it occurs? Because the heat range of the original stock spark plug was defined by the manufacturers at their laboratories, based on different and theoretical speeds, and trips, that supposedly should be done by the potential target market who conceptually will buy an specific model and type of vehicle. But in the real life, not all the people have the same driving habits nor lives in the same geographical and under the same weather conditions, or drives in the same traffic conditions neither gives the same maintenance to their vehicles.

Do you still have doubts? Think just a minute that the traffic between big cities like LA is very different from a smaller city and from a town. A teenager drives different from his mother and she drives different to her husband, whom drives different to his neighbors, whom tows a trailer. Additionally from Alaska to Dubai, there are hundreds of different weathers, altitudes, and humidity's; and there are many different fuel brands and qualities, among other different conditions.

So it is absolutely necessary to refining and tailoring the selection of the spark plugs for matching the real operating conditions of the engine to each individual driving habit and or each particular operating condition.

As you can see, it is more likely that you are having Heat Range problems that are affecting your mileage, even if you didn't know they existed, and you are wasting more in fuel than necessary.

To achieve the best fuel economy in these extremely frequent but seldom considered driving conditions, you must install different and hotter spark plugs than the original stock, suggested by the manufacturers in their application catalogs in order to achieve the right combustion chamber temperature that ensures the perfect combustion process.

But to define which exactly is the sparkplug, whose heat range results being the best adequate for your engine, is a risky puzzle and not an easy task.

Nevertheless, only by tailoring the selection of the park plug's heat range, customizing it to your particular conditions, you will achieve your engine's top efficiency, thus guaranteeing the best fuel economy, whit the best performance, power, reliability and low emissions.

Is it hard to believe?

You don't have to take my words. Spark plug manufacturers have never failed to explicitly acknowledge that:

"A hotter spark plug may be better for prolonged idling or city type stop and go traffic".

AC DELCO Spark Plugs

"A hotter plug is better for prolonged idling and city travel".

BOSCH Spark Plugs

"Use spark plugs with a hotter heat range for steady city driving".

SPLITFIRE Spark Plugs

"For short distances and stop-and-go driving a hotter plug is better".

DENSO Spark Plugs

"The spark plug heat range should remain the same unless also at high elevations, (above 3000 ft), in which changing to a hotter plug may be necessary".

CHAMPION Spark Plugs.

"This is reflected in the increased importance assigned to precisely adapting the spark plug to engine. Customized solutions are the order of the day".

BOSCH Sparkplugs

Elena Maria DB Orsos http://www.determinator.net Master of the Power, the Mileage and the Emissions Would you like to learn more? visit my web site at the above link. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elena_Maria_Db_Orsos

What You Should Know about SMAW

By Thomas Yoon

In shielded metal-arc welding, the intense heat from an electric
arc is used to melt and fuse metals to form a weld. It is one of
the oldest and most widely used welding processes. Although used
chiefly for joining iron and mild steels, shielded metal-arc
welding is well suited to maintenance tasks because the
equipment is relatively inexpensive, simple to operate, and can
be used for welding many different kinds of metals.

Below, you will find explanations describing the shielded
metal-arc welding process and how the welding machines and
accessories are set up and used. You will also find information
on selecting an electrode. The personal safety equipment and
precautions are also described.

How the Process Works

A typical SMAW outfit consists of an electric welding machine,
two welding cables, a ground clamp, an electrode holder, and a
covered metal electrode. Electric current from the welding
machine is used to form an electric arc between the tip of the
electrode and the work.

Welding is started by touching the end of the electrode to the
base metal, then lifting the electrode about ¼ inch. This forms
the arc, which produces temperatures up to 5550°C. The intense
heat at the arc area instantly melts the base metal and begins to
burn the covering off the electrode and melt the core.

The melted core becomes filler metal for the weld and the
decomposition of the flux forms a protective gaseous atmosphere
around the arc area. The gas forms a shield against contamination
from oxygen and nitrogen in the surrounding air. Additional
shielding is provided by the electrode flux, which forms a
deposit called slag.

The shielding gas is ionized, and conducts electricity and
maintains the stability of the arc.

Welding Voltage and Current

Either direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) is used.
The arc voltage or working voltage is the voltage present in the
welding circuit while an arc is struck and welding is being done.
The arc voltage ranges from 15V to 40V depending on the arc
length.

The open circuit voltage is the voltage generated by the welding
machine when no welding is being done. Open-circuit voltages are
normally set between 50V and 100V, but drops to the arc voltage
level when an arc is struck and welding begin.

Arc Length

In any electrical circuit, there is a correlation between the
voltage, current and the resistance. The best results are
normally obtained with an arc length about the diameter of the
electrode.

When the arc length is increased, less current flow occurs
because of the increased resistance. The result is a cooler arc
and a greater tendency to spatter. There will be less
penetration of the weld, increased exposure to oxidation and
contamination, and an erratic, unstable arc.

When the arc length is reduced, less resistance more current
flows with less voltage and the arc becomes hotter. With thin
material, the heat can melt a hole in the welding, porosity, and
undercutting of the adjacent base metal.

Polarity

For DC machines, this is important. When the electrode is
negative and the work piece is positive, this is called Straight
Polarity. The opposite of this is Reverse Polarity.

DCSP or direct current straight polarity is characterized by
faster melting of the electrode, the weld puddle being broad and
penetration into the base metal is relatively shallow. This is
used when fast welding speeds and high deposition rates are
required.

DCRP or direct current reversed polarity results in a hotter arc,
making deeper, narrower weld puddle. This is used for structural
welding, multi pass welds, and applications requiring deep
penetrations.

Most electrodes are designed to be used with only one polarity.

Power Sources

Most AC power sources contain a transformer that steps down line
voltage to the level required for welding (normally less than
100V)

Welding Machines

Many types and sizes of welding machines are used for shielded
metal-arc welding. The current of a Constant-Current type does
not change significantly in variations in arc length. This is
preferred for manual welding operations.

The Constant-Potential type of welding machine adjusts the
current according to the arc length. If used in a manual
operation, the unavoidable variations in arc length will produce
large fluctuations in the current, resulting in an unstable,
non-uniform arc. For automatic operations, the constant electrode
feed rate establishes a stable arc and uniform arc length.

The current rating of the machine is its maximum current output.
A current rating of 400 amp means the machine can deliver up to
400 amps of welding current.

The duty cycle rating of the machine is the safe operating
capacity for non-stop welding. This is expressed as a
percentage over a 10-minute period over which a machine can
deliver its rated maximum welding current output without damage
or overheating. An 80 percent 400-amp machine is one, which can
deliver 400 amps of welding current for a total of 8 minutes out
of every 10, and must idle at least, 2 minutes out of every 10
for cooling.

Tools and Accessories

The tools for SMAW are: cables, holders, clamps, chipping hammer,
wire brush. The protective equipment are face shield, goggles,
apron, gloves, shoes, long sleeved shirt. The protective
equipment is to avoid eye injuries, and burns. Also there is a
need to prevent electric shocks, especially in wet areas.

Selecting an Electrode

Electrodes are classified by their core material: mild steel,
high-carbon steel, special alloy steel, cast iron, and
non-ferrous. Mild steel electrodes are the most commonly used.
In general, the electrode core material is matched as closely
as possible with the composition of the base metal. Electrode
size varies with the thickness of the base metal.

The size and characteristics of the selected electrode
determine the arc current settings on the welding machine.
Normally, the range of recommended amperage for the electrode
is given by the manufacturer.

Set up and Operation

Observe fire precautions before starting to weld. No
combustible should be near the work area.

With the electrical power still off; clamp the earth wire to
the work piece and the electrode on the holder. Turn on the
power. To strike an arc, position the end of the electrode
about 1 inch above the weld start point. Lower your face
shield and with a rapid tapping of scratching motion, touch the
electrode to the base of the metal. Immediately after the
contact, raise the end of the electrode slightly to establish
an arc whose length is approximately equal to the electrode
diameter.

If you do not raise the electrode fast enough, it will stick
to the work. Twist or bend the electrode to break it free. If
the electrode does not break free, quickly release it from the
holder. With a little practice, you can learn to strike an arc
without the electrode sticking.

When the current settings and a proper arc length is
maintained, a continuous cracking sound is heard while welding.
A humming sound indicates that the arc length is too long or
the current is too high. Arcs too short make a popping sound
and may flash on and off, indicating the electrode is sticking
and short circuiting to the base metal.

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Thomas Yoon's skill in illustration/writing has enabled him to produce numerous ebooks on engineering subjects that can be downloaded at Engineering E-books. He has also produced an ebook on "50 Secrets of Truth and Life" that is fully illustrated with cartoons in a humorous way. Subscribe to facworld ezine More information at Marine Engineer and M & E Engineer

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Heated Dog Beds Keep Your Dog Warm and Toasty on Those Cold Winter Months

By Caroline Miller

Usually dogs were kept in yards to protect the area or in garages to keep the house clean. However as times change, most of us consider our pets to be family and have even large dogs sleep inside especially if the temperatures get a bit nippy outside. If you keep your pet outside or in this is how heated dog beds can make a great difference for your dog year round. So you might be wondering what the purpose of a heated dog bed is.

If you keep your dog outdoors, it is easy to see the requirement of a heated dog bed. Sometimes even indoors it becomes a requirement in the cold winter months. A puppy who has just been separated from his family will find a great deal of comfort in a heated dog bed. Older dogs will love them especially if they suffer from chronic joint pain or any other condition. There are many choices but making the right one depends solely on its user.

There are a large variety of heated dog beds to choose from. When buying a bed the first thing you need to keep in mind is the size. Removable heaters are good because that means you can use it all year round. If you get a bed with a reflective surface it will use less power and use the dogs own heat to warm him. Self adjustable heating keeps a certain temperature consistently in order not to overheat your dog.

Other features you could look for are an ac adapter to enable the use of the bed in a car or other mode of transportation. Removable covers are also a very popular feature as it allows you to wash the bed and dry it very easily. When buying a power adapter make sure the power cords are steel wrapped just in case your dog gets hungry and goes for them!

Your pet's sleep is as important as yours and it will contribute to his mood, health and overall performance especially if he is old and is suffering from different types of diseases that occur with age. A heated bed will provide warmth and comfort because in the winter time it is only natural to look for a warm place to sleep.

Your pet is always deserving of being treated well and pampered because he is always there to welcome you with a wagging tale and a smiling face. So, whether you keep your dog outdoors or in, whether he is young or old, treat your best friend to a little piece of heaven when he or she needs it most and get a heated dog bed. He will love you more for it!

This author lives in Flemington, NJ with her husband and 5 month old daughter and is an expert contributing author for a luxury elevated dog feeders boutique offering variety of dog beds and orthopedic dog beds. This author and DogBedSupplies are also dedicated to providing valuable and informative articles on pet health, dog training, crate training, puppy breeds and more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Caroline_Miller

Energy Related Terms Explained

By Karen Duke

Below are some terms you may encounter while researching energy related products, heating and efficiency:

AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency): an efficiency rating that measures the efficiency with which gas and other fossil-fuel-burning appliance use their primary fuel source over an entire heating season. It does not take into account the efficiency with which any component of the system, such as a furnace fan motor, uses electricity. AFUE is expressed as a percentage that indicates the average number of Btu worth of heating comfort provided by each Btu worth of fuel consumed by the system. For instance, a gas furnace with an AFUE of 80% would provide 0.8 Btu of heat for every Btu of natural gas it burned.

Air infiltration: the introduction, usually unintentional, of unconditioned outdoor air into a mechanically heated and/or cooled building. Air infiltration can occur through any opening in the home's structure, including seams where walls meet other walls, window or door frames, or chimneys; holes where wires or pipes penetrate walls, floors or ceilings/roofs; and between the loose-fitting meeting rails of double-hung windows or a door bottom and door threshold. It is one of the major causes of unwanted heat gain and loss, and personal discomfort in buildings.

Alternating Current (AC) - An electric current that reverses its direction at regular intervals or cycles; In the U.S. the standard is 120 reversals or 60 cycles per second; typically abbreviated as AC

Amp - short for "ampere" - this measures the amount of electricity moving through a wire. Most household appliances use 15 or 20 amps of power. Amps are what give electricity its "shock."

Biomass Fuel: Any organic (plant or animal) material which is available on a renewable basis, including agricultural crops and agricultural wastes and residues, wood and wood wastes and residues, animal wastes, municipal wastes, and aquatic plants

BTU (British thermal unit): a measurement of the energy in heat. It takes one Btu of heat to warm one pound of water by 1° Fahrenheit. Btu can be used either to define an air conditioner's cooling capacity (i.e., the number of Btu of heat that can be removed by the system) or a furnace's heating capacity (i.e., the number of Btu of heat that can be supplied by the system).

Chemical Energy - Energy stored in a substance and released during a chemical reaction such as burning wood, coal, or oil.

Combustion - Chemical oxidation accompanied by the generation of light and heat.

Conduction is the transfer of heat through solid objects such as glass, dry wall, brick and other building materials. The greater the difference between the outdoor and indoor temperatures, the faster conduction can occur, increasing a building's energy gain or loss.

Convection is the transfer of heat to or from a solid surface via a gas or liquid current. Where home heat loss and gain are concerned, heat convection is caused by air (gas) currents that carry heat from your body, furniture, interior walls and other warm objects to windows, floors, ceilings, exterior walls and other cool surfaces.

Conversion- A number that translates units of one measurement system into corresponding values of another measurement system.

Cord of Firewood: a tightly stacked pile of wood logs measuring 4' x 4' x 8' (128 cubic feet).

Daylighting is the technique of using natural light from windows, skylights and other openings to supplement or replace a building's artificial lighting system. When applied properly, daylighting can reduce lighting costs. When applied improperly, however, it can not only lead to inappropriate light levels but can also raise the building's cooling costs by introducing high levels of solar heat into the interior of the building. Also see SOLAR GAIN to see how sunlight can affect heating costs.

Direct Current - An electric current that flows in only one direction through a circuit, as from a battery.
Efficiency is the degree to which a certain action or level of work can be effectively produced for the least expenditure of effort or fuel. BTU of energy consumed (input) x efficiency = BTU output.

Energy: The ability to do work or the ability to move an object. Electrical energy is usually measured in
kilowatthours (kWh), while heat energy is usually measured in British thermal units (Btu).

Energy Efficiency - Refers to activities that are aimed at reducing the energy used by substituting technically more advanced equipment, typically without affecting the services provided. Examples include high-efficiency appliances, efficient lighting programs, high-efficiency heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems or control modifications, efficient building design, advanced electric motor drives, and heat recovery systems.

Emission- A discharge or something that is given off; generally used in regard to discharges into the air. Or, releases of gases to the atmosphere from some type of human activity (cooking, driving a car, etc). In the context of global climate change, they consist of greenhouse gases (e.g., the release of carbon dioxide during fuel combustion).

Heat Content - The gross heat content is the number of British thermal units (Btu) produced by the combustion, of a volume of gas under certain with air of the same temperature and pressure as the gas, when the products of combustion are cooled to the initial temperature of gas and air and when the water formed by combustion is condensed to the liquid state.

Kilowatt-hour (kWh): 1000 watts used for one hour - or any combination of energy multiplied by time that is equivalent to that rate of electrical consumption, such as one watt used for 1000 hours, 10 watts used for 100 hours, or 50 watts used for 20 hours. For example, a 100-watt light bulb left on for five hours each day would consume one kWh every two days. Kilowatt-hour is the primary measure on which U.S. electric companies base most customer billing.

Load Estimate is series of studies performed to determine the heating or cooling requirements of your home. An energy load analysis uses information such as the square footage of your home, window and door areas, insulation quality and local climate to determine the heating and cooling capacity needed by your furnace, heat pump or air conditioner.

Mercaptan - An organic chemical compound that has a sulfur like odor that is added to natural gas before distribution to the consumer, to give it a distinct, unpleasant odor (smells like rotten eggs). This serves as a safety device by allowing it to be detected in the atmosphere, in cases where leaks occur.

Methane -A colorless, flammable, odorless hydrocarbon gas (CH4) which is the major component of natural gas. It is also an important source of hydrogen in various industrial processes. Methane is a greenhouse gas.

Operating Cost is the day-to-day cost of operating an appliance, based on energy use.

Payback period is the amount of time it takes to achieve a full return on an investment. For instance, if a high-efficiency direct vent gas fireplace costs $1000 more than a purely decorative fireplace but would save $500 a year in gas usage, the payback period is 2 years.

Propane (C3H8) - A normally gaseous straight-chain hydrocarbon. It is a colorless paraffinic gas that boils at a temperature of -43.67 degrees Fahrenheit. It is extracted from natural gas or refinery gas streams.

Radiation is a method of heat transfer in which heat is transmitted from surface to surface via infrared waves. Radiant heat warms the surfaces it touches without increasing the temperature of the air through which it travels. All warm bodies radiate infrared energy.

R-value is a measurement of a material's ability to resist heat transfer. Insulation products are rated according to the R-value. The higher its R-value, the greater the product's ability to resist heat flow will be.

Solar Gain is the heat that builds up inside a structure as a result of sunlight that enters through transparent or translucent surfaces, such as windows, and is converted to heat after striking other surfaces inside the building.

Space Heating - The use of energy to generate heat for warmth in housing units using space-heating equipment. The equipment could be either the primary or secondary source of heating.

Thermal Energy - The total potential and kinetic energy associated with the random motions of the molecules of a material.

Thermostat - A device that adjusts the amount of heating and cooling produced and/or distributed by automatically responding to the temperature in the environment.
Watt: a unit of electric power. The amount of power required by electric appliances is expressed in watts. Watt-hour is a unit of electric energy, equal to one watt used over a period of one hour.

Volt (V) - The volt is the International System of Units (SI) measure of electric potential or electromotive force. A potential of one volt appears across a resistance of one ohm when a current of one ampere flows through that resistance. Reduced to SI base units, 1 V = 1 kg times m2 times s-3 times A-1 (kilogram meter squared per second cubed per ampere).

Voltage - The difference in electrical potential between any two conductors or between a conductor and ground. It is a measure of the electric energy per electron that electrons can acquire and/or give up as they move between the two conductors. This is how electricity gets from the power plant to your house: high-voltage transmission lines carry the electricity under greater pressure to carry it long distances, while lower-voltage power lines serve individual homes and businesses.

*Article contributed by Karen Duke, Victorian Fireplace Shop

Karen Duke is a fireplace, chimney and hearth industry expert of over 25 years in both the retail and service sectors. She is a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep and has numerous hearth industry certifications. She is the founder and webmaster of http://www.TheFireplaceChannel.com and she is the co-founder and webmaster of http://www.TheVictorianFireplace.com , which is one of the largest online fireplace retailers in the world. She makes her home in Mechanicsville, Virginia. Karen's contact information can be found on either of the above sites.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Duke

Arc Welding Basics

By Jason Miller

One of the most popular and common types of welding in use today is arc welding. Yet the average layman walking the street has little understanding of this welding process other seeing the blinding light flashing from a construction job site they may walking past at rush hour. Welding is basically just a fusion process for joining metals. The metals are simply melted together by intense heat and fuse as one piece. If done correctly, welding makes the joining of two pieces of metal with the same strength as single solid piece. A welding joint is superior to gluing because through the welding process, the metals are actually melted together instead using the bonding properties of glue to hold them together.

The key concept in welding is a heat source is needed in order to fuse the metal together. There are several methods of welding and arc welding is one of the most popular. The term arc welding comes from the fact that an electrical arc is created to produce intense heat. This arc is formed between the metal being worked on and an electrode connected to the arc welder. The electrode rod is moved along the joint and is melted by the electrical arc. The rod has two purposes. One is to help produce the arc and the other is it makes a filler material as it is melted.

At its heart, arc welding is about creating an electrical circuit. An arc welder needs an electrical power source that produces either AC or DC current. The metal piece you are attempting to weld becomes part of the electrical circuit by attaching a cable from the arc welder to metal. The other hot cable is attached to electrode that the welder is holding. An electrical arc is created between the metal work piece and the electrode when the electrode is held close to the metal. Now there is a complete electrical circuit between the arc welder and the metal. This process creates some pretty amazing temperatures. The tip of the arc can reach temperatures in excess of 6500º F. Now there is enough heat to fuse the metal pieces together and create a strong bond. To ignite the arc, the electrode must be pressed against the metal and then pulled away.

Besides creating heat, the arc produces a very bright light. This light is hazardous to the welder and those around the welding job site. You should not look directly into the arc without proper eye protection. However, the visible light is not the only danger. The arc gives of infrared and ultraviolet light that is invisible to the naked eye. This is why welders wear auto darkening welding helmets. These helmets will automatically darken when the arc is struck to shield the welders eyes from the bright visible and the lens filter is designed to keep out infrared and ultraviolet at all times whether the lens is darkened or not. Welders also put up welding blankets or shields to protect other people in the work area that may not have proper eye protection.

Despite these hazards arc welding is a safe and reliable method for fusing metal together and with some practice anyone can become competent enough for basic welding.

Jason is the webmaster for Red Hill Supply - auto darkening welding helmets

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Miller

Coming Soon - Electric Cars For Sale

By Robert Barr

The question is, will it last? Have we finally reached a crisis point in a time when the world's automobile manufacturers realize we need an alternative to gas powered vehicles? That the only way to avoid the fate of the dinosaur is to drive better gas mileage into their cars and trucks while continuing research on other alternatives? Consumers are buying electric car kits, spending money on electric car conversions, and trying to find out exactly what electric cars are and how they work. But if gas sees sub two dollars a gallon, will we forget about the pain of $5 a gallon gas?

Most people say no. Most people realize we have gone down this road before and they are not willing to get caught behind the eight ball again. Problem is, no one tells the car makers. All of the majors are working on alternative fuel sources for the next few model years banking on the fact that the world's drivers have had enough. Problem is if gas is cheap again, consumers will pick up right where they left off and drive up demand for SUV's and other gas guzzlers which will force automobile manufactures to retool to release pent up demand and sideline their "green" programs yet again.

Going Green Does Have Problems

There is a huge outcry against the E85 or Ethanol based fuel program. For one the energy savings created by using ethanol is negated by the fact that it burns less efficiently than gas. Also, with the price of food skyrocketing, people have a problem with turning that food into fuel. Not to mention logistics, there are only 1500 service stations out of a total of 176,000 that offer E85 ethanol, and the vehicle in question has to be converted to take the 85/15 ethanol gas blend. In other words, this will be another boondoggle that gets us no where fast.

There Are Other Solutions

The electric car is seen as the next best technology and will hit the market in full force over the next few model years. Toyota is considering a Prius with solar panels to power the air conditioning unit. General Motors is planning on launching the sleek and sexy Volt in 2010, and BMW is working on a hydrogen powered engine they say will be ready in less than ten years. There are rumors that Mercedes-Benz plans on eliminating gas powered engines from it's entire fleet by 2015. That is a pretty bold effort, but one that is surely needed.

But if any of these fantastic technological breakthroughs are going to be successful people are going to have to buy them. No one is going to confuse you for a secret agent while tooling around town in your Prius, and you are certainly going to get stares in your SMART car from Mercedes, but for all the wrong reasons. But not to worry all of you fashonistas out there waiting for the right car to accessorize your dog-wallet-purse-girlfriend-job with, the Volt is a nice looking vehicle and if you happen to have a hundred grand laying around, you could always pony up for a Tesla and be green and sexy all at the same time!

Robert Barr is the founder of blabrmouth.com, a political commentary weblog that cuts through the media hype of today's top political news!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Barr

The Same Golf But Different Cars

By Benjamin Hudson

Volkswagen—Europe’s largest automaker and producer of the popular VW CV joint--- has offered in Canada its new subcompact entry, the 2007 Rabbit 2.5 which has grown and matured from its Golf predecessor. VW is marketing its Rabbit 2.5 hatchback as a full-featured compact loaded with standard six air bags, traction control, air conditioning, cruise control, ABS and a 10 speaker stereo with MP3-compatible CD player.

The Rabbit 2.5 is also equipped with a five-cylinder engine and VW’s four-year/80,000 kilometer warranty that covers four years of roadside assistance which is one year more than those offered by Civic or Corolla-- primary competitors of Rabbit 2.5 in Canada. And compared to its other compact competition, the $20,990 five-door Rabbit is no doubt a good buy. But compared to the other VW’s compact how does the “new” 2007 City Golf rate?

The word new in the 2007 Golf are warranted in the sense that the City Golf is supposedly the last generation of Golf five-door hatchback that will be sold in Canada. It should be noted that the Volkswagen has started offering its Golf in Canada way back in the year 1999 and the new City Golf is the latest addition. The new City Golf has a starting price of $14,900 and comes equipped with 15-inch rubber, four wheel disc brakes with ABS, power steering, AM/FM/CD with eight speakers, two-tone cloth seats, 60/40 folding rear seats, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, tachometer, rear wiper/washer and Volkswagen’s four-year warranty.

Compared to the previous City Golf, the new Rabbit 2.5 is more spacious on the inside. And just like Dodge’s Caliber, the new rabbit 2.5 is big for a compact, especially the back. However unlike the Dodge, the Rabbit 2.5’s interior has a more luxurious feel to it attributed to the fact that it has shared many parts with the Audi A3. But despite this fact it simply cannot be denied that Volkswagen has cut cost in the production of the Rabbit 2.5. There are obvious features found on the Rabbit 2.5 that indicates the cost-cutting that VW has employed for this Golf such as the center console and doors are made of harder plastic while the audio and HVAC controls just didn’t have that solid feel of Teutonic that pervades the City Golf.

And once on the road the difference between the new and the old City Golf became even more pronounce. The new Rabbit 2.5 is powered by a new 150 horsepower, 170 pound feet of torque, 2.5 liter inline five cylinder engine which is larger by almost half-liter and more powerful by 35 horsepower and 48 pound feet of torque than the City Golf’s four.

Another distinction is in terms of the weight since the rabbit 2.5 weighs 100 kilograms more than the City Golf. The most obvious difference is the 2.5’s more immediate torque which results to unplanned mid-range passing maneuvers. The rabbit 2.5 produces about 1000 rpm less than the previous City Golf when driving on the highway.

The City Golf is equipped with an independent torsion beam axle rear suspension while the 2.5 receives a new fully independent rear that makes use of a multi-link rear suspension. And if the City Golf’s is the bouncy type and revs up immediately, the 2.5 on the other hand is more of the subtle type. The Rabbit 2.5 is also more in control and more stable at high speeds as compared to the City Golf.

In terms of steering wheel, the City’s Golf conventional mechanical steering setup and lighter weight is much better. Unfortunately the Rabbit 2.5’s electro-mechanical steering suffers from on-centre numbness. And although it may be less direct but it sure is effective in providing the Rabbit 2.5’s luxury compact mission statement.

For more about your VW parts needs like VW CV joint, visit your trusted online source.

Benjamin Hudson works as a supervisor at one of the top engineering firms in the business district of Louisiana. He is also a freelance journalist and has passion for anything automotive.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Benjamin_Hudson

How To Get More Miles Per Gallon Of Gas

By Carl Formby

Many people think that the only way to get better gas mileage is to buy a car that uses less fuel. While it is true that a new car fitted with the latest technologies will perform better in terms of increased gas mileage, there is a lot that can be done with older models of car by changing driver behavior. The main ways that this can be done is to keep a check on the speed, use cruise control and gears properly, be careful with the use of air conditioning, and maintain the car regularly to keep it working in top condition. This article will look at these points in turn and give some advice on how to get better gas mileage from your car.

First, keeping a good speed is a definite way to improve gas mileage. Keeping a good speed means keeping a constant speed in all driving situations. The general rule is don't go faster than you need to, especially in urban areas, since this usually mean the need to accelerate over short distances and then use the brake to slow down at an intersection. Then the whole process repeats itself, using up fuel unnecessarily. When on the highway a similar thing can be done. By keeping a constant speed the engine will use fuel much more efficiently.

In order to keep a constant speed, especially when driving on the highway, the proper use of cruise control can be a great way to cut down on fuel use and get better gas mileage. The cruise control technology ensures that the engine is working optimally, and so cutting out the need for the driver to think how to make the car run in the best way. Cruise control will alter the way the car runs to make sure that the best gas mileage is achieved.

One of the things that can really increase the use of gas is the overuse of the automobiles air conditioning unit. In summer there is always a tendency to have the air conditioning on full blast to keep the heat at bay. While this might make you feel more comfortable, it really cuts down on gas mileage efficiency. If you can turn the air conditioning down just a couple of degrees it can make a big difference to gas mileage, especially over a long-distance trip. Many other gas mileage tips can be found on the website http://www.gasmileageshack.com

Keeping the car in the best condition possible will greatly increase the chances of getting more gas mileage. A car which hasn't been properly serviced in a while will put more strain on the engine, leading to the need for the greater use of gas. By ensuring the engine is working in top condition, keeping filters clean, and even ensuring tires are kept at the correct pressure, the gas mileage of the car can be improved enormously.

As you can see, there are many ways to get better gas mileage from your car. If you use just one or two methods you could well see significant improvements in the amount of gas you use. By watching your speed, cutting down on the air conditioning, and making sure you have the car serviced regularly, the improvements in gas mileage may well save you enough money to think about buying that more fuel-efficient car.

Carl Formby owns and operates http://www.gasmileageshack.com, an online resource to help you get better Gas Mileage

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carl_Formby

Air Conditioners - Creating Our Comfort Zone

By Kathleen Whitlow

Summer is rapidly approaching which means many warm days. To cool you off after a hot afternoon in the sun most people rely on their delightfully cool home AC. Air conditioning is able to cool and dehumidify the atmosphere in the home so that you are comfortable and have an enhanced breathing environment. We use these cooling systems religiously in the warmer months of the year, but do we really know much about them?

For your indoor environment to remain comfortable and to prevent the air from becoming stale you must run an air conditioning system. The job of your cooling system is to remove heat from indoor environment using something called a refrigeration cycle. It also has two chief functions, process and comfort.

Usually part of an HVAC (heating, ventilating, & air conditioning) system, this device can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Air conditioners can either be room cooling devices or central cooling devices and come in several variations within each type. Free-standing portable units are useful if you want to be able to easily pick up your appliance and move it from room to room, depending on where you need the most cooling. Window mounted units are able to be professionally installed in a variety of different windows. Wall mounted units are mounted through the wall, which can give a more polished look. Central air conditioning units use ducts to distribute cool and dehumidified air throughout the home or space that is to be cooled. The central AC unit is usually the best way to go because the actual entity is located outside the house so it does not take up space within the home and it cuts down on the noise level that you may experience with an indoor unit.

As well as providing a pleasant atmosphere for homes, AC appliances are also used in buildings, cars, trains, plans, and all sorts of other vehicles or spaces that may need to showcase a comfortable, temperate environment.

All cooling systems should be installed by someone who has had the proper training and has a vast knowledge of the inner workings of the unit. Whether the unit is being installed in a home, office, or car, it is best to leave the installation and/or mounting process up to a professional HVAC company. It is also pertinent to have these systems inspected, on a consistent basis, by a qualified expert. HVAC contractors that possess the expertise can make sure that your system stays working at its peak level of performance and can also make sure that your indoor environment is as safe as possible.

Regardless of where an air conditioning is being used it is still there for the same purpose: to provide a comfortable indoor temperature, to keep the air fresh and better for breathing, and to control humidity.

Kathleen Whitlow is a copywriter & marketing agent of Arundel Cooling & Heating. The heating and cooling contractor provides HVAC installation and servicing throughout Maryland. For more information on their Heating & Cooling Services please visit their website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathleen_Whitlow

Servicing Hybrid Cars

By Emma Gold

In an effort to help protect Mother Nature, and to offset rising fuel cost, hybrid cars are becoming more and more popular. With so many drivers switching over to these environmentally friendly vehicles issues are beginning to arise not only with owners, but with mechanics and garages as well. These issues center on the servicing of the cars which can be so different yet similar to the more traditional fuel based vehicles.

Many garages are training their mechanics to deal with hybrids and how to properly service them. However, many owners may still be unsure how to handle the hybrid's unique needs when it comes to maintenance. This is why owners and potential owners of hybrid cars should look into the servicing needs of their new cars.

Before, with the traditional vehicles, owners were able to do many of the more routine maintenance in their own home garage. Changing the oil, checking the break pads and replacing the battery were common enough occurrences and posed little risk. Hybrid cars on the other hand are a whole different story and many do it yourselfers are better to let experienced and trained professionals take a look at their vehicles. Often mishandling of the Hybrid car's engine components can lead to serious if not fatal accidents.

Now the reason for this is that the Hybrid is more than an internal combustion engine, it is houses a complex electrical system that many, including seasoned mechanics, are just not aware of. It is this high voltage and power system that many are finding problematic when service on the car is required.

While it is unwise to perform even the most rudimentary service on your Hybrid, you may find out that the local garages are either unwilling on unable to deal with it as well. More and more garages are training their staff to perform the required Hybrid car repair as this car is no longer thought as a passing novelty but the problem still exists.

Since the Hybrid is the Chimera of the automobile industry, many aspects of the vehicle will remain the same. The differences, however, can be costly and the price owners must pay for proper auto service may be high. The benefits of owning a hybrid will probably be worth it to the owner in the long run and with the knowledge that they are doing their part to help the environment.

Some of the most drastic of differences will include common items like brake pads, fluids, and batteries.

Since the Hybrid car works differently from traditional vehicles it will require different fluids to keep it in tip top shape. These fluids will probably be new to the owners and even to the professionals commissioned with servicing the car. Whenever dealing with Hybrid cars it is important to consult the manual and follow the manufacturer's guidelines to the letter.

Traditional oil changes differ when dealing with hybrid cars as well. While there is no fear of an engine starting during an oil change on an internal combustion engine (as long as the car is turned off), a hybrid is a different story. The engine of a hybrid will start whenever the keys are in the ignition and when the car is in ready mode. The engine will also start when the battery needs charging and is in ready mode. So it is important to take the keys with you when changing the oil of a hybrid and not leave them in the ignition.

Brake system acts as generator when not in use. Break pads will not have to be replaced nearly as often as they would on traditional vehicles. Although, when the pads do require replacement, it will need some high priced equipment that can only be found at garages. The problem is that many smaller garages might not see buying the hydraulic system required for this job as economically viable. Changing the break pads is definitely not something that can be done one Saturday morning whenever the mood strikes you.

One of the key differences encountered while servicing hybrids are the battery packs. These battery packs house chemicals and will often retain current so carelessness while handling these devices can result in a serious chemical burn or electrocution. Following the manufacturers guidelines and safety concerns are essential.

Many of the new Hybrid car owners are unaware of the exact servicing and maintenance need for the vehicle. While some car dealers may not be forthcoming with this information, it is available online. Make sure that there is a garage nearby that can work on Hybrid cars and familiarize yourself with the car servicing needs as to avoid scams and ill managed garages.

Find a car service and auto repair service centre near you with our easy to use research tool. Most car makes and models supported. Includes vehicle reports, price guide, service guide and more. To make a booking, visit Mazda Service.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Emma_Gold

Cooling Fan Problems

By Jerry Lemke

Cooling fans are easy to troubleshoot. Some automobiles use two smaller fans or one larger fan. The twin electric fan set up will use one fan for cooling the engine. The other fan will be used for cooling the air conditioning and radiator but only works with the ac on. Never continue to run the vehicle up in the red temp zone or you can cause severe damage to the engine. First do you have a temperature gauge in the dash? Is it working correctly?

Lift the hood and verify visually that the fan is not working. Does the car cool down once you drive up the highway at 40+ mph? If not, you may have a thermostat sticking or low coolant. The thermostat can cause the engine to stay hot. This can also be the problem if the gauge stays low and the car never heats up. If the temp gauge is reading low yet the two radiator hoses are warm, the temp sensor may not be working. There may also be two temp sensors or senders, one that controls the gauge and one to switch the fan on. If the temperature is getting high and the fan still won't come on you may have a fan problem.

First check the fuse to the cooling fan, if bad, replace it. When the car is getting hotter than normal and the fan should be on, unplug the fan wire. The cooling fan wire will have two wires positive and negative, and should be putting out 12 volts dc. If there is no voltage check the wires and the fan relay. The cooling fan relay is usually under the hood. If there is voltage running to the cooling fan, you probably have a bad fan. You could try jumping wires to the fan directly from the battery, but there is no need if there was voltage there.

Cooling fans can be purchased from places like autozone for aftermarket or factory replacements from a dealership. If you decide to use aftermarket measure the dimensions first. Then check the fan to verify that the cfm rating is high enough for your type of engine. Also make sure the wires for the electric fan are to the correct polarity. If not it wont damage the fan but will spin backward. The fan should pull air from the front of the vehicle and push it out through the radiator.

Jerry Lemke is the author of http://www.freeengineinfo.com A site dedicated to repair and information on all types of vehicles.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jerry_Lemke

100 Ways to Save Money

By Ian Sani

The world is having a serious financial crisis. Many people has lost their jobs because of it. To survive, you need to save your money. Basically you can save money by reducing your comfort. Comfort means money. But there are also other tricks to save money. Here are 100 ways to save money:

1. Computer Screen savers does not reduce energy consumption. Automatic switching to sleep mode or hibernate is better.

2. Consider buying a laptop. They use less energy than desktop computers.

3. Consider buying LCD monitor. They use less energy than CRT monitor.

4. Stop renting the cable modem. You can buy a cable modem for cheaper cost in the future.

5. Plug your computer and other electronic into a good UPS. So can save money by not buying a new circuit board that is fried.

6. Use open source software like Linux Operating System and Open Office.

7. Upgrade an existing PC rather than buying a new one. Usually it is cheaper to upgrade. But if your computer is very old, you need to buy a new one.

Appliances

8. Maintain your heating system appliances because they are the ones that consume too much electricity.

9. Turn off the lights if it is not used.

10. Use low energy light bulbs, compact fluorescent light bulbs.

11. Clean your AC air filters. A dirty air filter reduces airflow, causing it to work harder and use more energy.

12. Use of solar power for for heating water.

13. Find natural gas appliances with blue flames. This indicates that the gas is burning efficiently.

14. Install a programmable thermostat to have your house in comfortably warm in the winter and comfortably cool in the summer.

15. Turn off your electronic appliances like TV, and computer when not in use.

16. Look dishwasher for the ENERGY STAR label that uses less water and less energy.

17. Regularly manual

18. defrost freezers. Frost buildup decreases the energy efficiency of the unit.

19. Cover your kettle or pan to boil water. It will be done faster and can save energy.

20. Request an energy audit from your utility company. It's free, and they'll give you plenty of tips to reduce your power bill.

21. Lower your thermostat 1 degree and you will save 2 percent on your monthly energy bill. You can put on a sweater to deal with the cold.

Transportation

22. Go to work by using bus, or maybe riding a bike.

23. Check your engine and tire pressure. Having unequal pressure can greatly affect the car's fuel economy.

24. Look for frequent shopper deals on gas. Some grocery stores can offer gas discount with a frequent shopper card.

25. Avoid rush hour traffic as much as possible. Stopping in traffic can burn up lots of gas.

26. Drive at constant speed to save gas.

27. Keep your car light. Remove any unnecessary heavy items from your car. Heavy items makes the car work harder.

28. Take turns with your nearby friend to work.

29. Fix your car with skilled mechanic. If it is not correctly repaired, you might pay more for broken spare parts in the future.

30. Consider buying a fuel

31. efficient car.

32. Compare prices at different gas stations, and find the lowest.

33. Choose manual transmission car than automatic.

34. Use the correct grade of the oil which tells about the viscosity. If you use the wrong grade, you may increase the friction in your engine, and uses more gas.

35. Replace your air filter every three months or 3,000 miles or as specified in your owner's manual.

Credit card

36. Be sure to pay on time.

37. Don't spend more than you can afford.

38. Pay off your balance in full each month if possible.

39. Stop using credit cards. You can overspend, if you're getting money from credit account.

40. Avoid using cash advances on credit card. Only it as the last option. They have a higher interest rate than regular card charges.

41. Transfer your credit card debt to a card that charges a lower interest rate. Read your application carefully for this.

42. Negotiate a lower rate with your credit card company. If you have a good credit history, they might lower your interest rate.

43. If you have a balance on more than one credit card. Pay the most you can afford on the highest interest rate card, and make the minimum payment on the others. Once the card with the highest interest rate is paid, you can start paying the next highest interest rate.

Shopping

44. Before shopping create your shopping list and stick with it.

45. Don't buy branded goods, and buy cheaper product with the same quality.

46. Buy in bulk whenever possible. It is cheaper.

47. Buy generic products whenever possible. There are plenty of private label product nowadays. The store will make their own product using their own brand. This is cheaper because they do not spend money for advertising.

48. Always compare product's price and specification when you need to buy expensive things.

49. Shop online. Online company usually cheaper, because they can save money on their store rent.

50. Use coupons for shopping.

51. Find a garage sale. You can find gold there.

Health

52. If you are sick buy generic drugs. Generic drugs are basically the same as the branded ones in terms of ingredients and quality.

53. Don't smoke or reduce cigarette.

54. Don't drink alcohol or reduce your alcohol consumption.

55. Don't go to the gym. You can exercise by running or riding a bicycle.

56. Stay healthy. Eat well and rest well. Don't drink or smoke.

57. Reduce your weight. Overweight is source to many illness.

58. Participate in your employer's health insurance plan. They have lower rate, because employers direct a large number of people to the insurer.

Entertainment

59. Use only TV cable that you really need. Choose a smaller package.

60. Don't buy popcorn and drinks on theater. They are very expensive.

61. Rent a movie instead of going to the theater.

62. Do cheap entertainment like hiking, picnicking, fishing, or camping.

63. Buy movie tickets in bulk. The cost per ticker is lower.

64. When traveling, buy a guidebook instead of hiring a travel guide.

Food and drink

65. Cook home as often as you can. By not eating at the restaurant, you can save a lot.

66. Bring your lunch from home.

67. Eliminate Expensive Coffee Drinks. In some places, you pay a lot for the atmosphere not the coffee.

68. Use discount dining cards.

69. Take advantage of promotions, like buy one get one free offer.

70. Consider making your own bread. You can find the recipes in the internet.

71. Buy products on sale. Repackage and store it in the freezer for future use.

72. Consider buying meat with bones. Being willing to skin and de-bone it yourself can save you dollars.

73. If you have time, consider cooking from scratch. Frozen meals is convenient but more expensive.

Travel

74. Book your hotel at least one month in advance.

75. Don't use hotel phones for long-distance calls before inquiring about the charges.

76. Find fares and room rates on Internet which is usually cheaper.

77. Go travel by avoiding the crowds. If a destination sees its highest tourist traffic in winter, then go on summer, spring or fall if posible.

78. Use small inn instead of a big hotel.

79. Go wait until the last minute for an airline ticket. They usually on sale because plenty of times a plance is flying around 80% full.

Finance

80. When you apply on mortgage, go for the shortest-term mortgage you can afford. Shortest-term will save you more money.

81. Consider refinancing your mortgage if you can get a rate that is lower than your existing mortgage rate. If the interest is low, it's time to refinance your loan.

82. Don't buy lottery. The odds of winning is very low.

83. Save you money in piggy bag dailly. Be discipline on it.

84. Apply scholarships for your college.

85. Improve your credit score so you can get better deal on loans.

86. Don't do stock trading. Buy and hold is better because you don't have to pay commission. You just need to buy good and cheap company and hold it.

87. If you don't rely on your broker's recommendations and don't trade often, choose a discount broker, where transactions cost is lower.

Internet

88. Use free online greeting card if you want to send someone a card.

89. Find used products at eBay.

90. Buy used books instead of new books at amazon.

91. Get free software from download.com.

92. Save on your communication bill by chatting via computer or with free software from Skype.com. It's free to call another Skype user.

93. Don't subscribe on printed magazine. Read online news sites is cheaper.

94. Instead of buying whole album, buy music that you really like from service like Itunes.

General

95. Don't buy things that do do not need.

96. Borrow books from the library instead of buying.

97. Pay yourself first. Deposit 10% of every salary in a savings account.

98. Be an early bird for seminars.

99. Do a garage sale to get rid of un-needed items.

100. Bundle your services, like bundling cable or satellite TV, telephone service, and high-speed Internet service. This is often cheaper than you buy it separately.

Ian. Invest money. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ian_Sani

Midtronics Battery Tester is the No Hassle Choice

By Jason Miller

In the world of car battery testers, Midtronics stands out as the manufacturer of unique and cutting edge technology for the automotive industry. Midtronics has been producing car battery testers for 20 years and continually leads the market in innovation. Their products are even required for battery warranty decisions across the nation at automotive dealers, auto shops and car battery dealers. What makes a Midtronics battery tester unique in the market is the conductance based technology that it uses in its car battery testers.

Conventional car battery testers employ the BCI adjustable load test to measure if a car's battery is usable. They measure the voltage drop when an applied load of ½ the CCA rating of the battery is used. In order for BCI load testing to be accurate, the battery must be at room temperature and cannot be discharged. If the battery to be tested is in a discharged state, a car battery charger must used and this adds considerable time to the testing process. However, Midtronics battery testers employs conductance technology that makes the process of battery testing much faster and a lot easier.

What is conductance and why is it so great? This is a common question we receive about Midtronics battery testers. Conductance measures a batteries ability to move electrical current through the internal structure. This method produces a direct relationship to a battery and its power. A tiny AC charge is sent through the battery that produces a voltage response. This is what the battery tester measures. One of the chief advantages to this method is that as a battery ages and corrodes, conductance can determine if a battery can still be used. Basically, what this means is an automotive technician can test a battery without waiting for the battery to cool down to room temperature or have to wait 6 - 24 hours to recharge the battery. With a Midtronics battery tester, the battery can be tested immediately and accurately because of the conductance technology.

Ease of use is another great advantage to the Midtronics battery tester. A manual load test requires a trained operator than judge if the battery is even testable. Also, the test must be performed accurately within the proper time and then the data needs to be referenced in complex charts. This data needs to be interpreted as well. By comparison, a Midtronics battery tester does all the work. Just input some simple data into the unit, hook it up and press the start button. Anyone can use and accurately measure batteries with Midtronics battery testers and it takes the guesswork out of using load testing charts and complex testing.

Another great advantage of a Midtronics battery tester is the car battery can be safely tested while it is still in the vehicle. All it requires is the engine must not be running and the battery terminals should be reasonably clean. A few conditions may make it necessary to actually remove the battery. If the terminals are located remotely away from the battery being tested, the battery can read weak on the instrument or if the battery is installed in such a way that you cannot correctly connect the Midtronics battery tester to it. In most vehicles and fleet trucks this is not the case and the tester can be easily hooked up to the battery without having to remove it.

Jason has been in the construction equipment and industrial sales business for over 10 years. He owns and operates Red Hill Supply to better serve the automotive and industrial industries. - Automotive Tools

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Miller

What's the new Honda Civic Coupe have to offer?

By Stuart Simpson

The 2005 Honda Civic sets the benchmark for reliability and resale value. Everyone seems to know this, but what’s new and what can you expect out of the new Civic Coupe?

The Honda Civic Coupe models range from the DX – Value Package, the HX – Lean burn machine, to the LX and the top of the line EX model. The DX model is the base Civic Coupe. It has the 115 hp engine and limited creature comforts. The HX is your high mileage lean burn car. The lean burn means you can get 36 MPG city and 44 MPG highway as opposed to the LX and DX 32 MPG and 38 MPG. The EX suffers a 37 MPG highway drop probably due to the more powerful 127 hp engine.

The EX gives you some little things like body colored mirrors, sunroof, memory seats, height adjustable seats, too, along with an illuminated ignition switch. Wheels are upgraded to 15” alloys and the EX also has a six-speaker system with a CD that can read MP3 files. While all these features are nice, most of the extra goes into getting the 16-valve SOHC V-tech engine.

Handling characteristics are based upon the double wishbone rear suspension and the 4 wheel independent suspension. This allows for better handling with the MacPherson struts in the front tied to a high steering ratio. Get ready to have some fun driving again. But don’t worry all models have front airbags. Most models are offered with front side air bags, too. ABS is standard on the EX, keeping the braking to a minimum, especially in wet or slippery conditions. Transmission is your choice of 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic, or the continuously variable on the HX model.

The interior is ergonomically designed with wide seats and easily located controls. The front seats have deep side bolsters to hold the driver in place during aggressive cornering. But, they are comfortable for daily driving and hauling around 4 of your friends. The rear seats fold down to haul long cargo. A sunroof is available only with the EX model.

The air conditioning has a filtration system. But AC is an option on the HX model.

Honda offers nice factory options to customize your new car. They include a rear deck lid spoiler, wing spoiler, aero kit, splashguards, trunk mat, and my favorite, a trunk apron. It covers the bumper and open area when you are loading and unloading things from your trunk.

The new Honda Civic is one of the new classics or our age. Relentless reliability coupled with amazing resale value gives a good-looking care even more appeal to new buyers.

Stuart Simpson
Check out my pictures of the new red 2005 Honda Civic Coupe at http://www.hondalinks.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stuart_Simpson