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Auto Darkening Welding Helmets Basic Terms and Definitions

January 12, 2008 at 8:56 am · Filed under General Category

Auto Darkening Welding Helmets are the best welding helmets to protect a welder’s eye from flash damage in welding applications. Auto Darkening welding helmet filters offer the same level of protection as a standard welding helmet filter. Auto darkening filters detect the flash of the arc and darken so fast the eye cannot detect it. Remember welder’s flash is the cause of 6% of construction related injuries and purchasing a good auto darkening welding helmet will go a long way to prevent needless injuries. Remember an auto darkening filter still protects your eyes from UV and IR light even when it is not darkened.

Here are some common terms and definitions to help you decide which features you want in an auto darkening welding helmet:

Delay Adjustment: allows user to adjust the amount of time before the lens transitions back to light state

Sensitivity Adjustment: allows user to fine tune unit depending on ambient light or arc intensity; allows low amp, DC TIG welding other units cannot do

Solar Battery Life Extender: extends welding hours; solar cell increases economical operation-decreases battery replacement cost and downtime

Intellisense: allows unit to detect welds less than 5 amps

3N1: 3 modes of operation grind (clear state), weld (shade 8.5-12.5) and oxyfuel gas cutting (shade 5); one hood for every welding process.

HTLS Lightstate: shade 3.75 clear state, the clearest PI filter available; allows good color and visibility for hood down set up in low ambient light settings

Independent Redundant Sensors: if one sensor is blocked or damaged, the unit’s performance will not be damaged; enables welder to work in tight areas.

Auto Off: manually shut down unit when not in use, or automatic shut-off after 20 minutes non-use; maximizes battery life.

ClimaSensor Technology: tests the ambient air temperature three times per minute and automatically adjusts to ensure true shade when welding

EMI Coating: special coating designed to shield and protect electronics against extreme electromagnetic interference. 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.

Source: ArticleSphere.

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Pedestrians and Dangers from Hybrid Vehicles

January 12, 2008 at 8:56 am · Filed under General Category

The other day, I put a scare into both myself and a driver when I almost stepped out in front of her hybrid car. She was shaken up and looked stunned that an adult would be so careless. I was just embarrassed.

But as I told a friend about it the next day, I found that it’s more common than I thought. He had done the same thing a few weeks earlier. Then, someone else told me about a woman who was putting groceries in the trunk of her car and didn’t even realize that a hybrid vehicle nearly backed into her!

Hybrid cars are so popular that auto manufacturers are having a hard time keeping up with the demand. The ones already on the market include Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry, Toyota Highlander, Lexus, Honda Civic, Honda Accord and the Ford Escape.

They use both gas and batteries to operate. At higher speeds, they run on gasoline just like any other car. However, at lower speeds (such as less than 20 mph), hybrids are powered by batteries. At the slower speeds, these battery-powered cars have virtually no noise compared to their motorized counterparts that have a running engine.

As great as they are for the environment, the problem is, you can’t always hear them coming!

Pedestrian groups say the lack of noise poses a new hazard to people,especially those who are blind or don’t hear very well. While these groups are still in favor of the benefits that hybrid cars offer - a cleaner, greener environment and less noise pollution - they say these new safety concerns need to be addressed and are working with manufacturers to come up with solutions.

Meanwhile, it’s up to us.Both drivers of hybrid cars and pedestrians need to be reminded that things are a little different than they used to be.

* Whether you are driving or walking - Be aware of what’s going on around you and never make someone else responsible for your safety!

* Remember and practice proper safety measures when crossing the street. Use crosswalks, look both ways, and don’t walk out from between cars.

* Be extra alert if you are talking on your cell phone or having a heated conversation.

* Be clearly visible to the driver. Make sure they see you. Crossing the street from between two parked cars makes it difficult and is extra risky. That goes double if it’s after dark.

* Look for signals on automobiles that can tell you they are in operation. Look for reverse lights. Look for headlights. Cars manufactured within the last few years come with daytime running lights. If the lights are on, that can be a signal that the driver is getting ready to pull out.

* Always make sure you have emergency contact information with you, whether you’re driving or walking.

Hybrid cars are here to stay and lots of us like that idea, but everyone needs to take extra precautions to safeguard themselves as pedestrians. If you driv one yourself, just remember pedestrians can’t necessarily hear you coming, so be extra alert when they are present. Valerie Nay is the founder of Emergency Contacts and writes a free monthly newsletter full of valuable information to help you and your family stay safe.

Source: ArticleSphere.

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Automotive AC Machines

January 12, 2008 at 8:55 am · Filed under General Category

As any mechanic knows, the ability to offer a comprehensive service to customers, being able to offer repairs and care for all aspects of a motor vehicle maintenance program is key to being able to retain customers. Air Conditioning is more or less standard across all models these days, and while in the past, AC maintenance was a highly skilled and niche market, it is now an essential side of the business and key to any workshop’s continued success.

In order to ensure that refrigerant is recovered properly from a car’s air conditioning system during servicing, a workshop must use an automotive AC machine. These devices prevent the release through venting of CFC gases. EPA guidelines require that when a car is being serviced, the Freon, or CFC12 that is used as the coolant should be collected and recycled in order that it is not released into the environment where it can potentially damage the ozone layer.

The refrigerant used in most motor vehicle air conditioning systems is based on chlorofluorocarbons, which have been linked with causing damage to the ozone layer, and as such, the control of these substances is of particular concern to the environmental protection agency. Whenever a car air conditioning system undergoes maintenance, proper care must be taken to protect the environment from the release of CFCs, and this is best done by using automotive AC Machines.

By reusing Freon gas rather than allowing it to be vented into the atmosphere, the environment is protected. However, when the refrigerant is collected from a car’s air conditioning it can be contaminated with water, oil and any of the other liquids that are used in cars. By using automotive AC machines, it is possible to process the refrigerant and remove any of the other fluids from it, allowing it to be reused, either in the same system as it has been drained from, or alternatively, in another car altogether.

There are a whole range of different refrigerant recovery machines on the market to suit all types of workshop, from small operations through to large commercial garages that deal with many different types of car, and need to be able to offer a complete service to clients.

Choosing the right automotive AC machines for your needs can be a daunting task, and too many people simply opt for the cheapest model available, rather than making an informed decision about the best product for their needs. EPA requirements aside, the most important factor when choosing the correct automotive AC machine for your business, is the capacity of the machine to deal with the range of vehicles that you currently work on. You need to choose a machine that can connect easily with all the different types of car that your workshop deals with, and which has enough capacity to recover and treat the refrigerant left in the system to remove any impurities.

Basic automotive AC machines such as the Pro Set Oiless Portable Recovery Recycle Unit are flexible enough to reprocess coolant from a fairly wide range of sources, remove any contaminating oils and other liquids, and release the Freon in perfect condition for reuse.

There are other machines in a similar price bracket that are reliable enough for every day use, and yet still compact enough not to require a vast amount of space in your workshop. Automotive AC Machines such as the Inficon Vortex refrigerant recovery machine are ideally suited to occasional use, and are very compact.

If offering AC repairs and servicing is key to your business, then having the right tools for the job is essential. Getting it right at the beginning when you choose an AC coolant recovery machine often means choosing a model from the Cool Tech range. These robust and highly regarded specialist tools are at the centre of any serious AC shop, and thanks to their efficiency and great value for money, will pay for themselves over and over again. 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. - Air Compressors.

Source: ArticleSphere.

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Robinair 15600 AC Vacuum Pump

January 12, 2008 at 8:55 am · Filed under General Category

The name Robinair is synonymous with quality and respect in the automotive air conditioning industry. They produce a full line of air conditioning service products and are used by professional mechanics worldwide. One of their best known products in their top of line high quality vacuum pumps is the Robinair 15600. This model is the choice of professional air conditioning mechanics and auto shops worldwide.

Robinair 15600 is the industry standard.

The most common air conditioning vacuum pump is the Robinair 15600. This versatile vacuum pump is a 6 cfm, 2 stage vacuum pump that is most often found in the automotive service shops. For the professional automotive shop, the 6 cfm is minimum size vacuum pump you need. This size can handle vehicle air conditioning systems ranging from a car all the way to buses and RVs. The Robinair 15600 has the cfm to removc moisture and air from most vehicle air conditioning systems. This unit has the power reach a 600 micron vacuum in under 60 minutes on most air conditioning systems. A weaker unit takes more than twice that amount of time. Also, the latest A/C systems are built to much tighter specifications and getting a good solid vacuum has never been more important. The reason is the modern systems are far less tolerant to contaminants and moisture build up and this can cause long term damage. If moisture builds up in the lines, it can crystallize at expansion points in the air conditioning system. This is why pulling a good vacuum is critical. A good solid vacuum in the system will evaporate the moisture and prevent “freeze up”. Moisture causes many other problems. High moisture levels combined with refrigerants is very corrosive to air conditioning systems. You will not notice the effects of corrosion until its done some serious damage.

The Robinair 15600 is a good investment

It may be tempting to use an inexpensive Venturi type vacuum pump. This type a vacuum pump works off of shop air to produce a vacuum on an air conditioning system. They are cheap and relatively easy to use. However, they will not pull a proper vacuum and they leave damaging moisture behind. The Robinair 15600 vacuum pump is a 2 stage model that runs off of 110 volts. The 2 stage rotary design and high cfm rating on the 15600 insure you will get the required 600 microns of vacuum. (It can achieve this under 60 minutes saving you time as well.) Venturi type vacuum pumps are really made for the home garage mechanic and professional air conditioning service techs do not use them. A good 2 stage vacuum pump will pay for itself over time and produce far better results.

Robinair produces vacuum pumps with lower cfm ratings and they may be fine for your particular application. All of the Robinair vacuum pumps are 2 stage and built to the industry’s highest standards. But if your operating a automotive service shop or maintain a varied fleet of cars and trucks, the Robinair 15600 should have you covered for most air conditioning systems. 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. - Air Compressors.

Source: ArticleSphere.

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What is the BMW Bluetooth Retrofit

January 12, 2008 at 8:53 am · Filed under General Category

If you’re one of those who drives a BMW 3 or 5 series or X5 built between 2002 and 2006 and are seeking a way to bring your car’s sound system up to date, consider a BMW Bluetooth retrofit for your automobile.

What Is Bluetooth?

You’ve probably heard of Bluetooth, but may not know exactly what it is, how it works or why you should equip your older vehicle with a BMW Bluetooth retrofit.

Bluetooth technology (named after a rather despotic Scandinavian king of the late Viking Age) is really a type of electronic protocol – an industry standard that allows different electronic devices such as personal computers, printers, cell phones, and a wide range of digital devices to connect to each other and exchange information without the need for cumbersome cables and wires. It operates in a manner that is similar to a short-range radio frequency.

Uses and Capabilities

Bluetooth is highly effective for small devices that are in close proximity (up to 100 meters apart, depending on whether the device is Class I, II or III). Because of this, a BMW Bluetooth retrofit is ideal for the small, enclosed environment of an automobile interior.

If you’re like many busy people, you have a mobile phone with you and activated most of the time – including drive time. However, use of a cell phone while driving is unsafe, and actually illegal in many places. By installing a BMW Bluetooth retrofit in your classic vehicle, you’ll enjoy “hands-free” communication when receiving an important call while behind the wheel. You won’t even have to remove your cell phone from your pocket!

Taking It To The Next Level

A BMW Bluetooth retrofit allows you to integrate your cell phone into your vehicle quickly and easily. One of the most useful aspects of this is the ability to activate your cell phone and dial a number using voice commands. If your phone is equipped with this capability, you can simply speak the number you wish to dial, and your BMW Bluetooth retrofit allows it to dial it for you – automatically!

In addition, newer phones and navigation systems can display information right on your vehicle’s own digital displays (i.e., the instrument cluster).

No More Missed Calls

You probably enjoy playing your radio or CDs while commuting. You’ll be glad to know that the BMW Bluetooth retrofit automatically mutes the music or other audio programming when receiving or making a call.

Get Started Now

The BMW Bluetooth retrofit is designed for simple installation using the original manufacturer wiring. It really is as simple as “plug and play,” and afterwards, you’ll be able to control all of your cell phone’s functions using nothing more than the steering wheel controls, radio knobs and of course, your own voice. Visit a reputable audio installer today and find out how easy and economical it is to update your vehicle with a BMW Bluetooth retrofit. Wayne Hemrick installs audio systems for BMW’s. Specializing in the BMW Bluetooth retrofit, Wayne provides advice on BMW Bluetooth installation. For those considering a BMW Bluetooth retrofit, Wayne’s advice will be helpful in understanding how the BMW Bluetooth kits work.

Source: ArticleSphere.

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Archive for January, 2008

Auto Darkening Welding Helmets Basic Terms and Definitions

Pedestrians and Dangers from Hybrid Vehicles

Automotive AC Machines

Robinair 15600 AC Vacuum Pump

What is the BMW Bluetooth Retrofit

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