Zero To Sixty In Under Four Seconds In An Electric Car

I bet you had to read that headline twice! I know, I couldn't believe it myself. One of the biggest deterrents to buying an electric car for me has always been performance. Now we finally have someone with a vision for revolutionizing the industry that is doing what no one else has done to date, introduce an electric car that performs like a sports car.

The development of this cutting edge vehicle by Martin Eberhard is being bankrolled by high profile internet billionaires like the founders of Google and Paypal. This should tell you right away that this car is serious business.

The new batter powered car will be one of the quickest production cars available on the planet holding its own with the likes of Ferraris and Lamborghinis that cost five times what the new roadster will sell for. The name of the company is Tesla Motors, named for the Serbian inventor of the first AC powered motor.

The Tesla roadster gets its power from nearly 7,000 lithium-ion batteries, rechargeable of course. There is nothing special about the batteries either, they are the exact same batteries we use in our laptops. Besides going from 0 to sixty in under 4 seconds the vehicle has a top speed of over 130 mph and a range before recharging of 250 miles. The first model to be built will be a two seater roadster but they already have plans for a sedan as well. So what does it cost to run this car? You won't believe it, less than two cents a mile! Say goodbye to high gas prices because this car uses ZERO gas.

Eberhard's electrical engineering background is what has given him the knowledge used to build the first performance electric car. He says he got his inspiration to create the car from reading about other revolutionaries in the automotive industry, John DeLorean and Preston Tucker.

Instead of trying to invent a new battery source he decided to use the lithium-ion batteries because he was involved in the computer industry and he knows that the large computer companies will keep working to make lighter and longer lasting batteries that he can get from the computer industry and use for powering his cars.

Tesla Motors has gone from a concept to a car that will be built in less than three years. The first cars are being built in a factory in England and will be available by summer of 2007. The price of the first cars is expected to be around $80,000. Considering the price of gas, that may soon be considered a bargain.

About the Author:
Gregg Hall is an author and internet marketing consultant living in Navarre Florida. Find more articles about cars and car care products at http://www.5starshine.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/zero-to-sixty-in-under-four-seconds-in-an-electric-car-43383.html

Author: Gregg Hall

Top 10 Hybrids as Released by Cars.com

Are you in the market for a hybrid vehicle? For those who are looking for a hybrid to purchase, one of the dilemmas that they encounter is how to exactly choose which of the tons of hybrids in the market are they going to single out. It would take you months to go through the tons of reviews and specifications on the vehicles.





Good thing, there is the 2008 Hybrid Buying Guide which has been recently released by Cars.com. In the 2008 Hybrid Buying Guide, one would be able to find the top ten hybrids available in the market today. The site disclosed that they have created the guide to help consumers find the right hybrid for them. The guide offers an organized list of hybrids according to body style. There are also comparisons between hybrids and non-hybrids. Other pieces of information you would find in the 2008 Hybrid Buying Guide include fuel efficiency of the vehicles, price differences, and specifications.





Joe Wiesenfelder is the senior editor for Cars.com and he mentioned, “Hybrid rankings have often been simplistic. Most are little more than lists of the highest-mileage models on the market. Here, we ranked hybrids based on how much fuel savings they get when compared to their non-hybrid version, as well as how much all that saved gas is going to cost you, since hybrid models always command a premium price.”





Included in the top ten hybrids for 2008 is the Toyota Prius which has an MSRP of $21,100. It has a roomy interior and cargo area. The Prius clocks in 48 miles per gallon for city driving and 45 for highway.





Second on the list is the Saturn Vue Green Line which you can own for $24,170. The vehicle has 25 miles per gallon as its city mileage and 32 for highway drives. This vehicle is not offered though with an all wheel drive.





Making it to the third place is the Honda Civic Hybrid with 40 and 45 mpg as mileage for city and highway respectively. For $22,600, you can own one of these vehicles. This vehicle is quite fuel efficient and performs well too especially when equipped with a quality AC condenser.





Fourth on the list is the Toyota Camry Hybrid which you can take home for $25,200. The base model comes with a four cylinder engine. The vehicle has a mileage of 33 and 34 for city and highway travails respectively.





Other vehicles that complete the list are the Lexus RX 400h, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, Chevrolet Tahoe 2 Mode Hybrid, Saturn Aura Green Line, and the Lexus GS 450h.

About the Author:

Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/top-10-hybrids-as-released-by-carscom-379058.html

Author: Anthony Fontanelle

The Importance of Test Driving Before You Buy a Used Car

Now days high quality cars are available to the dealers at the end of their lease terms. This results in the availability of a used car that is good in condition. Still you should not trust on anyone while dealing. You must ensure its well working by taking a test drive.

You may have a drive on rough roads, winding curves. It helps you to check the car on terms of its resistance power. The time duration of your test drive should last at least 30 minutes.

You may ensure the position of the steering wheel to examine if it is straight. If the steering wheel vibrates at higher speed then you may need new tires, tie rods, or control arms. Brakes also serve the most important part in smooth running of the vehicle. Your car should not pull to one side on a straight road while applying the brakes. In case it does so, then you may need a front end alignment with new brake calipers.

You may doubt the smooth working of the car if you feel a vibration in the brake pedal when you are lightly applying the brakes. If you are taking someone with you on the test drive then he /she should not talk in between. It can disturb your driving. Similarly you should turn off the stereo too. In case you come across any difficulty while operating the functions or have any doubts then do not feel shy or afraid in asking them.

While test driving, first try with A/C turned on and later with A/c turned off. It helps you to test the power drain and also to properly listen to the car. Drive freely on the road that has thin traffic. Start out slowly to get used to the operators. Move the car smoothly from side to side. If you can listen to the clunks then that means the car is suffering from the suspension problems. To listen to the suspension problems clearly, you may accelerate hard while listening to vehicle’s drive transmission. The most necessary thing is that a modern accelerator should lift quietly and efficiently. You may tap on the accelerator at a modest speed so that it enables you to listen to clunks and thuds. Distorting buzzing hints loose and faulty drive lines.

Sometimes too much noise comes with the opening of windows and sunroof. You may check for these faults with the windows and sunroofs both opened and closed. The brakes should be capable enough to control the vehicle in fast speed too. You may verify the brakes on this concept. Try to brake hard from at least 50 mph. In this way, you will be satisfied on vehicle’s emergency behavior. On applying the brakes, the vehicle should stop in a straight line without the help of antilock brakes (ABS). It should do this with minimal wheel lock up. In case your vehicle has antilock brakes, then you will hear buzzing and vibrations. Do not panic. This means that your system is at work. You may accelerate again first with turning on the AC and then turning off the AC. It will help you to understand the power drain that is associated with its operation.

After returning from your road test, you may leave the motor running followed by cautiously removing the oil filler cap. This step will help you to check the engine. In case white smoke is coming out of the hole, then do not opt for the same vehicle because it indicates that the engine has some problem. Now comes the turn of filler cap. Carefully look at the underside of the filler cap. Sometimes it is rusted and has water on it. These symptoms indicate leakage of head gasket, a cracked head and a cracked engine block and ultimately to the ill health of a car.
If you buy such a car then you are under the repairing costs that might exceed from $750 head job to $4500 for an engine replacement.

Pen down your thoughts

One can not remember all good points as well as bad points about the car he has have taken to a test drive. To escape this possibility its better to note down your impressions. Do not allow the sales person to tempt you or to persuade you to buy the vehicle. You may thank the sales person to spend time with you and tell them that you yourself will contact them. If you have decided on other vehicle then be frank with the sales person to let him know about your decision. Just have their visiting card as well as offer them yours.

There are varieties of car available at a dealer’s shop. Taking the cars to test drive will help you to go for the best car and will also help you to have the best deal.

About the Author:

Dave Clark is a experienced article writer and has been in the industry for many years, he has written many books and is very knowledgeable in various fields, Dave also works for Cushy Sofa a supplier of Memory Foam Sofas, Memory Foam Mattresses, Memory Foam Pillows, Divans and Memory Foam Toppers

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/the-importance-of-test-driving-before-you-buy-a-used-car-505220.html

Author: daveclark

Three Things To Know About Using A DC-AC Power Inverter

The first thing you will need to know is what you are planning on running in this time of emergency. The fewer the items or the smaller the amperage, the smaller or least costly inverter will be needed. I will give a simple formula that will give you an idea of the size of inverter you will need.

If the appliance you are planning on using is listed in watts, just go ahead and use that number. If it is listed in amps you just need to use this simple formula: volts (120) X amps (listed on device) = watts. This will give you the amount of watts the appliance will be using. So if you had a 3 amp appliance, and you wanted to find the watts, the formula would be: 120 (volts) X 3 (amps) = 360 watts.



You would then total all of the watts that you will be using and come up with a number. Lets say your total watts usage is 500 watts. If that's the case it would be a good idea to get a 750 watt inverter. Always get a larger size than what you think you will need, it may come in handy.



Your next step will be to determine where your power supply is going to come from. If it is for emergency purposes there is a very good chance that it will be coming from a battery hooked up to your vehicle, or you may be a little better prepared and have a bank of batteries hooked up in a parallel fashion. Since most people reading this are probably unfamiliar with creating a battery bank I will just cover running the inverter from the vehicle. The main thing to know is what type of battery you will be using. It is suggested that you have a deep cycle battery or those that are used for trolling motors or golf carts and that you get as many amp hours as your budget allows. A few years back I was able to go 11 days using a 750w inverter and a 120amp hour deep cycle battery attached to my car. I had to run the car for 10 minutes every 2 hours to run everything that I had hooked up which was a laptop, 13" color tv, direct tv receiver, modem for the laptop, 40w light, and a small box fan. That doesn't sound like much, but I thought I was staying at the Ritz Carlton compared to most of my neighbors.



The last thing you need to know is how long will your power supply (battery) last before it needs recharging. First you will need to know the wattage of all the appliances. Lets say we have 480 total watts of power being used, and we are running our inverter off of a 12 volt battery attached to the car. Next we have to convert this number so that we know how many amps are being used. We do this by taking the watts (480) and dividing it by 12 (volts of the battery) and come up with 40 amps. The formula is: watts / volts = amps. If we have a 120 amp hour battery we would divide 120 (amp hours) by 40 (amps) and get 3 hours before the battery is dead. It is recommended not to drain a battery below 50% of its capacity so you may want to divide the 3 hour in half giving you 1 1/2 hour before starting the car up to recharge the battery.



I hope this helped you determine what you will need in case of an emergency where you will lose power for an extended period.

About the Author:
New Page 1 The author has been using power inverters for the last 15 years for emergency power outages. For more information please visit http://inverterssavegas.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/three-things-to-know-about-using-a-dcac-power-inverter-509211.html

Author: Dan H

Some Basic Mercedes Ac Components

Driving a Mercedes Benz has given its owners unbridled pride and satisfaction of being part of the three-pointed star automotive tradition. This tradition has built a bridge from the tentative beginnings of motorization in the last century up to the modern automotive technologies characterizing style, power and comfort. Today, automobile comfort provided by Mercedes Benz has, more than ever, increased its vehicles' comfort levels that rivals the cosiness experienced at home and at work. With just a push of a button or the slide of a lever, seamless transition from heating to cooling and back again is now possible without ever wondering how this change occurs.

Like the brand name of Mercedes Benz, which has over a century of rich history and colorful tradition, the automotive air conditioning system underwent extensive changes since its advent in the 1940's. Improvements, such as computerized automatic temperature control (which allow the car owner to set the desired temperature and have the system adjusted automatically) and improvements to overall durability, have added complexity to today's modern air conditioning system. To add to the complications, tough environmental regulations have been created, governing the very simplest of tasks, such as recharging the system with refrigerant R12 commonly referred to as Freon® (Freon being the trade name for the refrigerant R-12 manufactured by DuPont). Freon is known to be an atmospheric hazard.





However, the key to the comfort provided by Mercedes air conditioning systems all goes back to its single basic components. One of the most common components, and perhaps the most important one which make up these automotive cabin cooling systems is the Mercedes Benz AC compressor. Commonly referred to as the heart of the Mercedes' air conditioning system, the Mercedes Benz AC compressor is a belt-driven pump that is locked to the engine. Its primary role is to compress and transfer refrigerant gas. The AC system is split into two sides, a high pressure side and a low pressure side, defined as discharge and suction. Since the Mercedes AC compressor is basically a pump, it must have an intake and a discharge side. The intake, or suction side, draws in refrigerant gas from the outlet of an evaporator or, at times, an accumulator.





Accumulators are used on systems that accommodate an orifice tube to meter refrigerants into the evaporator. It is connected directly to the evaporator outlet and stores excess liquid refrigerant. Introduction of liquid refrigerant into a compressor can do serious damage. Compressors are designed to compress gas, not liquid. The chief role of the accumulator is to isolate the Mercedes Benz AC Compressor from any damaging liquid refrigerant. Accumulators, like receiver-driers, also remove debris and moisture from a Mercedes air conditioning system.





Once the refrigerant is drawn into the suction side, it is compressed and sent to the condenser, where it can then transfer the heat that is absorbed from the inside of the vehicle. This is the area in which heat dissipation occurs. The condenser is designed to radiate heat. Its location is usually in front of the radiator, but in some cases, due to aerodynamic improvements to the body of a vehicle, like that of Mercedes, its location may differ. Condensers must have good air flow anytime the system is in operation. On rear wheel drive vehicles, this is usually accomplished by taking advantage of an existing engine's cooling fan. On front wheel drive vehicles, condenser air flow is supplemented with one or more electric cooling fans. As hot compressed gases are introduced into the top of the condenser, they are cooled off. As the gas cools, it condenses and exits the bottom of the condenser as a high pressure liquid. Air conditioning systems may be complex and diverse in designs, but the comfort they provide relies heavily on these basic components.

About the Author:

I'm a high school educator in the school near my place. But beside from being educator I enjoy writing about things that I like and love.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/some-basic-mercedes-ac-components-178629.html

Author: Kimberly Baker

Top Tips For Spark Plug Repair

Top Tips For Spark Plug Repair In the previous post, we covered the problems with the automotive spark plugs. Now that you know these problems and what causes them, it would be great if you also know how to repair your car's spark plugs. Probably, you would be able to save some money on auto repair. Spark Plugs form a part of the automobile ignition system, hence we would also have a glance on D-I-Y tips for repairing of ignition of the vehicle. Follow these auto parts repair instructions coming weekend, if you have been successful in diagnosing spark plug problems.

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Tips

The first tip always for any auto part repair is to go through the carmaker's manual. Read it carefully to avoid any kind of confusion at the time of repair. Every manufacturer specifies the time for changing of the car's spark plugs. If its time, do not delay in replacing the auto part.

It is essential to ensure that the other auto parts connected or related in the functioning of spark plugs are in proper condition. If the ignition wires have burned, they need to be changed too.

For checking the wires - Have a look at the the ignition system at night. Its easier to notice the shorting of wires at that time.

Try checking the spark plug wires by pulling each and every wire manually. First switch off your engine and let it cool for some time, else you might harm yourself. Once you pull out one wire, check it for burns, cracks or any kind of discoloration. If found O.K. fix the wire back into its position. Follow the same step to check all the wires. Any damaged wire should be immediately replaced.

Remember : Do not pull out all the wires at the same time, rather pull them one by one. Otherwise, you might get confused while fixing them in right terminals, causing more auto repair loss.

Change the Spark Plugs - the first step is to clean the debris accumulated on the well of this auto part. Avoid any dirt or dust to fall into the combustion chamber. You may also blow air into the well or brush off the debris so as to clean it properly.

Now remove the spark plug wire. The next step follows is to keep the plug socket over the plug & then unscrew it.

Its time to pick up the new plug. Now just start threading it. Only thing that you need to remember is to not cross- thread it.

Now take the plug & socket and them try lowering it into the plug well. Then screw the plug with a socket extension.

Once you get the feel that the thread have matched, you need to use a ratchet for tightening the plug in its place.

That's it friends, you have successfully replaced your car's spark plugs.

Tools Required During Spark Plug Change Procedure

A Half-inch Ratchet Drive

A Spark-plug Socket with Rubber Retainer A Flexible Drive Coupling

Socket Extensions

Needle Nose Pliers

Other Things That Might Be Needed

Small Stepladder

A Cloth Shield

A Protective Eyewear

A Narrow Paint Brush

Fred has been in journalism for past eight years and over the years he has covered different news related to automotive industry. Cars, auto parts and anything related to this industry has fascinated him since childhood. He expresses his views and shares himself on his blog at: Automobile Hotspot

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

By Fred Clay

My Car Won't Start and Makes a Clicking Noise

Nothing is more aggravating than walking out to your car Monday morning and finding it won't start. Instead, all you hear is a click noise when turn the ignition key. What's the problem?

If you are unfamiliar with how a car works, you might immediately assume the clicking noise means the engine is dead. It is obvious that power is being turned on, so the lack of even a vibration or jerk would indicate the engine is frozen up, right? Fortunately, the answer is no. Instead, you have an equally aggravating problem somewhere in your starter assembly, but the good news is it will cost a lot less to fix.

There could be a myriad of problems when you hear a clicking noise when starting a car. The first step is to start with the easy things. Check to see if your battery has a charge. Next, check the battery cables to make sure the hookups are not corroded. Corrosion can put a damper of the flow of electrical current and can be the entire problem.

If everything looks okay, the problem may be the solenoid. The what?! The solenoid is essentially a switch that turns the starter on and off. When your car is just sitting off in the driveway, the solenoid is receiving a current from the battery, but it does not pass it on to the starter. When you flip the ignition, a small current signals the solenoid to let the current through to the starter. The starter then turns over. When you have a solenoid that is going bad, the switch can get tweaked and not let the current through correctly. Since the electrical current isn't enough to fire up the starter, the engine doesn't fire. In some cars, it just makes a clicking noise.

Assuming your solenoid is okay, the problem is most likely going to be your starter. The starter takes a lot of strain when it turns over the car. Sooner or later, it is going to have problems. The starter is usually very sensitive to human emotions. If it senses you need to get somewhere in a hurry, it will usually choose that moment to go bad!

Is there some easy way to tell what the problem is? Well, easy is a relative term, but you can do a bypass test. The idea is to bypass the solenoid with the electrical current from the battery. If the starter terms normally, the solenoid is the problem. If it doesn't, the starter is the problem.

You'll notice I didn't mention anything about testing the ignition switch. It is very rare for them to go bad. If you hear clicking when you turn the ignition on, the problem is not the ignition for the very reason that you are hearing something!

A car that won't start is a pain in the derriere. That being said, fixing it is usually not expensive, so things could definitely be worse.

Dirk Gibson writes for DCJAutoParts.com - your DIY resource for car parts that won't cost an arm and a leg

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

By Dirk Gibson

Why Does My Car Have Less Power on the Freeway?

Drive 55 on the highway these days and you risk getting run over by just about every other vehicle out there. But what if you have no choice? Some cars will lose their top end speed. You get to 55 pretty quickly, but it is a case of the "little train that could" to get to 65. Why?

Most cars that have this problem tend to have put in a good bit of toil over the years. Put another way, they are old. Given their age, most drivers assume the problem is the engine is "getting worn out" and such. While performance will definitely be impacted by an engine that is wearing, this is not the reason for the loss of performance unless you see big plumes of smoke coming out the back of the car. So, what is the cause?

A car is like you and me in some ways. Much like us, a car needs fuel. The more it has to perform, the more fuel it needs. If you are asked to jog a mile, you can probably do it even if it is an ugly affair. Anything longer than that, though, and you are going to need to get in shape first and eat right. Well, your car is already in shape, but it isn't getting enough fuel. When you the revs go up, it needs more gas. If you are not moving forward quickly at high speeds, you have a fuel problem.

There are two main culprits with fuel problems. The first is a simple one. When was the last time you changed out your fuel filter? Are you even aware you have a fuel filter?! Well, you do and a car that has been driven 100,000 without a filter change has one seriously clogged filter. Note - the tune and lube shops do not replace fuel filters. Try replacing your fuel filter and see if that does the trick. It often is as simple as this, which means a couple bucks can put you back in the lead foot category.

The second potential problem is the fuel filter might be slowly going bad. By "bad", I mean the bad-bad, not the good-bad. Testing fuel filters is a difficult task. The test isn't so difficult, but the word "fuel" is the key. Tends to be flammable. Tends to be difficult to handle when removing the fuel filter. Accidentally spraying fuel around the engine compartment is definitely bad - get it professionally tested.

The previous two issues are almost always the cause of the problem. That being said, there is one other potential issue - the exhaust. If your exhaust system gets backed up, the pressure in the engine will become unbalanced. The exhaust from the firing process will not flow correctly and will back up into the engine. This is known as backpressure.

Backpressure is usually caused because of a problem with the catalytic converter. Get it inspected. If there is a problem, find out what is causing it. Catalytic converters just don't go bad like fruit. There is something in the engine that is causing the converter to have issues. If you don't figure out what that problem is, the new converter will fail sooner or later with sooner being the more likely. Put another way - make sure to fix the cause before the symptom.

A car can lose top end speed as it ages because of a loss in compression. That being said, the problem most drivers experience with top end speed on older cars is not a compression issue, but a fuel problem. Check your lines, filters and fuel pump and soon you'll be back in the fast lane.

Dirk Gibson writes articles about issues surrounding auto parts and repairs for DCJAutoParts.com - buy inexpensive parts online and save money by doing your own repairs

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

By Dirk Gibson

Free Auto Repair Manuals - Is it Possible to Get Auto Repair Manuals Online For Free?

Free auto repair manuals are in high demand to anyone who is in need of information to help in repairing their car. With the internet now being available in most home across the United States when someone is in need of any type of information, the first thing that they usually do is go online to see if they can get it for free. So - it would be normal when looking for information on how to repair your car to try to find a site that would have the information and not have to pay for it.

Here are some ways that you can try to get free auto repair manual information.

1) Go to one of the search engines (such as Google, MSN or AOL) and type in the type of automobile, year and a small description of your problem. For example if you were trying to fix a problem with your brakes, transmission or tires for your Honda Civic, you might type in something like "honda civic brakes" into the search engine. Sometimes you might get lucky and find an active forum where you can search for posts related to your auto repair problem.

2) Another option to get free access to auto repair manuals would be to go to your local library. Many libraries carry auto repair manuals for various makes and models of cars. I would suggest that you call ahead to see if the library does carry reference manuals such as those for car repairs in their reference section.

The fact is that there are no free auto repair manual sites online. The good news, however is that there are a few online sites that offer subscription services where you can sign up for a specific period of time, say 30 days to a year. These services give you unlimited access to their entire online auto repair manual inventory. The fees are fairly reasonable. And - if you are a do-it-yourself type of person, you should be able to justify the cost of these types of services where you can find out exactly what you need to know to repair your car yourself instead of paying the local mechanic far more money than the service will cost you.

Frank Singleton is a self-described do-it-yourselfer who loves using the internet to find services to help him out with his

Frank Singleton is a self-described greasy monkey who loves to fix his own cars. To see Frank's top choice for auto repair manuals? Just Click Here

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

By Frank Singleton

Useful Tips on Refilling Your Vehicle's Air-Conditioning System

If you are a person from the Middle East, Asia you cannot live without a good air-conditioning system any time. Not alone at your house, even in your car, you cannot stay without the air-conditioning. Just imagine the plight of yours if suddenly your car air-conditioning system fails when you are stuck in the middle of the road at the peak of a summer! Especially in hot weather countries, this is the most killing situation which makes you fear even to imagine. There are a lot of reasons for your vehicles air-conditioning system to fail. One of the important reasons is that, it may have a low content of refrigerant. This is the most common problem in a car which can be easily tackled by refilling or recharging the refrigerant.

This is not at all a tough job to perform. If you are very much aware of your cars parts and basic techniques, then you don't need a special mechanic to look after this problem. The whole job of recharging your refrigerant can be effectively done by yourself. If you are not aware of the problems and maintenance issues of your car, you need not worry about it still. You would have all the details about your cars functionalities and ways to tackle the problems in your car manual. You can go through this manual and do the job easily by yourself. You should also know that all the vehicles don't use the same refrigerant. So in this case, you need to go through the manual to find the right name of your vehicles refrigerant. You just need to have the interest and the confidence in doing the job. There are some common tools which you need to have to do the job of recharging your vehicles refrigerant. One of the most important precautions to take into account is that, you should take immense care of your eye. It's advisable to wear a proper eye glass wear from a good brand.

Yet another important requisite is that, you need to have the recharge kit with you. You must also have a pressure gauge which usually comes with the recharge kits. The first job is to find if any amount of refrigerant is available in the car. Pressure gauges ensure that you recharge your refrigerant with the right amount of pressure. Make sure that you have the right refrigerant for your car as specified in your car manual. Never try to adulterate or mix the refrigerants in the hope of saving money or improving quality. It never helps in doing either of these. If you are not confident and comfortable with the recharging process, it's anyway better to contact a professional or a mechanic to help you. Keep all your car documents that include your car manual, legal documents, insurance so that in the case of any kind of emergency, these can help you in many forms.

So, don't take your vehicle for granted. You would never know when you would be deprived of a cooling system inside your car. Be ready with your recharging kits and play safe!

Rental Car Specials Car Rental Specials Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brenda_Williams

By Brenda Williams

Answering Your Air Conditioner Questions

When the summer heat hits there is nothing better than stepping into an air conditioned room. The cool air whisks away the heat of the sun and just makes you feel better. Some people want just a cool breeze while others want the temperatures of winter in their home when the heat is beating everyone down.

Not everyone can live in a temperate climate where the temperature stays constant year round. Some live in areas where the temperature can climb well over a hundred degrees mid-day.

That is just too hot! Have you given your air conditioner much thought? What would it be like to be without an air conditioner and suffering in the summer heat and humidity?

Those little wonders can save frazzled nerves and make you feel refreshed again. This article will cover the basics of air conditioners and hopefully have you feeling cool again in no time.

What is better: a window unit or central air?

That is a difficult question and largely depends on how big of an area you will be cooling down. If you live in a loft or a one bedroom home or office you may be better serviced by a window unit. Large spaces are inefficiently cooled by window units.

It would take several to cool down each of the rooms in the home. Central air, on the other hand, can be pumped in from a unit located outside or inside and used to cool the entire house at once. It may be more cost efficient to use a central air unit to cool down a home or large office.

What is a 'Persian Cooler?'

The Persian Cooler is actually called an evaporative cooler. It is used heavily in hotter climates such as in Iran where the largest concentration of these units are made and used. The Persian Cooler works by drawing in the hot air from the outside and running it through water soaked pad.

The actual temperature of the air is not changed but the quality and humidity of the air is changed to more of a "dry" heat. This type of cooler gave Dr. John Gorrie the inspiration of using ice instead of the wet pad for his Apalachicola patients in 1842.

Who do I call when something goes wrong with my air conditioner?

The best advice is to call a heating and cooling technician that is familiar with your type of unit. If you have a Ruud then you will want to call someone who is familiar with that brand of air conditioning unit.

Some people will want to try to fix the problem themselves and there is nothing wrong with that if that person is knowledgeable about basic air conditioning systems. There are plenty of do it yourself websites that can help you fix your air conditioner yourself. It is always advisable to seek out knowledgeable help before you begin though just in case you run into a problem that is out of your realm of knowledge.

How are air conditioners controlled?

Air conditioners are controlled by thermostats. You set the thermostat at the desired level of coolness and it sends an electrical signal to the unit. This signal tells the unit how long to run and pump cool air into the home or office.

It will also let the unit know when to stop pumping air. It is important for a thermostat to be running correctly. If something is wrong with the thermostat the unit may not work properly.

Get your FREE ventilation gift and the best information on the air conditioner at Mike Selvon's portal, and leave a comment at our air conditioning systems blog

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By Mike Selvon

Maintenance is Important For RV Air Conditioners

People love to get out on the open road and explore the many sights that this country has to offer from the comfort of their recreation vehicles. Making sure that RV air conditioners are in tip-top condition when the summer months are just round the corner is a top priority for most experienced RV owners. This is because when the weather starts to turn warm, an RV can be one of the most uncomfortable places to be if it doesn't have air conditioning.

In fact, it is important to do regular maintenance on an RV's air conditioning equipment for a number of reasons. One of the primary reasons is that the air conditioning units have numerous moving parts which can become worn and can lead to failure of the entire system. Some of these components are the motors, the fans, the compressors and various other modules.

Unlike a central air conditioning system in a home, RV air conditioners are much more exposed to the elements and therefore, more in need of being well maintained. An RV can travel through a myriad of different types of weather conditions in a very short period of time and the exterior portion of the air conditioning system is exposed to whatever elements are being traveled through and at freeway speeds.

While central air conditioning equipment for a home is also exposed to the weather, the additional stress that is put on the air conditioners of recreational vehicles is quite a different story. As a result, it is a good idea to follow a regular routine of cleaning and maintaining the air conditioner that keeps the RV cool and comfortable.

For those who consider themselves snowbirds and who travel with their RVs to the warm southern states during the winter, it is important to make sure the vehicle's air conditioner is always maintained properly. An RV that is sitting for hours in the winter sun of the desert southwest can still get uncomfortably warm, even if the ambient temperatures are not very high. Therefore, thinking that you could get away without worrying about air conditioning in the winter may be a mistake if you are traveling where the sun is shining.

While RVs are a wonderful way to take your home along with you, they can turn deadly in a hot climate if the air conditioner malfunctions. Even the most luxurious of RVs can turn into a searing oven during the intense months of summer, no matter where you might be. Excessive heat can easily turn into a major health concern, especially for those who are in their retirement years.

Given these various considerations, there should be special care taken to assure that the RV air conditioners are kept in the best possible working condition. Whenever an RV is taken in for any kind of repair or maintenance, it is a good idea to also have the air conditioning system checked out thoroughly. Being diligent in this will help to make sure that all your RV travels are both safe and enjoyable.

Get your FREE ventilation gift and the best information on rv air conditioners at Mike Selvon's portal, and leave a comment at our air conditioning systems blog

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By Mike Selvon

Tips When Replacing AC Compressors

Air conditioning and AC compressors have become a necessity in our modern world. Global warming and the highly unpredictable weather systems nowadays makes it imperative for everyone to have their bedrooms, if not the whole house, air conditioned. Though AC units are still expensive today, they are more accessible to the masses, and as a result, more and more people are installing this equipment in their homes.

The quality of the air conditioning machines is always dependent upon the type of AC compressors contained in the units. As well, the life of each of your units is dependent upon how well the air compressor system is maintained. When the compressor or any of the compressor parts need to be replaced, you should be able to find the right service center to purchase what you need.

The first thing you should do when you find that you need to replace the AC compressor is to identify the particulars. This is done by writing down the model specifications, serial numbers and other details, such as the tonnage of the AC unit, etc. These specifications are normally embossed on the body of the machine at the back or on one side.

You could make use of the AC manual if you still have it, to learn the exact location of the compressor. The next step is to identify the closest location of the service center or the air compressor manufacturer and ask them about the possibility of replacing the compressor or compressor parts, as required.

In most cases, unless the models has gone off the market, the manufacturer will be able to provide the parts for their AC compressors, or a new compressor itself, if need be. In case you have trouble locating the compressor manufacturer, you could try looking up the air compressor sales person in your neighborhood who would be more than happy to help you solve your problem. The benefit here is that you might get a discount on the unit whether or not your machine in under warranty, plus guidance for finding certified service centers and technicians.

AC compressors, and or the parts, can be found easily through the manufacturer. This is because the compressor manufacturer is able to give you the authentic air compressor system at a discount (in most cases), besides ensuring that you have access to authorized personnel to have it re-installed.

This means you will get the best service possible, at the least cost and trouble. Considering that the compressor is the most important component in the air conditioner, you need to be sure you get the best.

Mike Selvon has some great air compressors articles. Find out more tips on ac compressors at his resourceful site. We appreciate your feedback at our air compressor parts blog

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By Mike Selvon

How to Find Proper Air Compressor Parts

All air compressor parts and air tool accessories should be inspected by the organization responsible for safety and quality assurance on them and their parts. This organization is the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Use of parts not inspected by the ASME is never a good idea. Especially in manufacturing, industrial and construction settings, as faulty parts and air tool accessories can be dangerous.

Air lines that blow can seriously injure or kill someone standing near them if there is enough pressure in the lines. Inspections need to be part of the daily service plan for all compressors. You can avoid dangerous situations by finding worn parts and replacing them before they give out completely.

Replacement parts for air compressors, as well as air tool accessories can be found in many online stores. Local dealers are also abundant. The most commonly replaced parts are hoses, separators and filters. Again, be sure that you are buying parts certified by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

In many states, parts for air compressors that are not certified are illegal. When doing your research and purchasing parts, your first concern should be quality and safety, not price. No price can be put on someone's life.

A search of the internet is a good place to start when looking to buy air compressor parts and air tool accessories. Search engines will return thousands of links that are relevant.

Some companies will also offer service for your compressor if you need it, along with air tool accessories, compressor tools and compressor parts. In order to get the right parts, you should know the manufacturer of your compressor. You will also need the make and model number because some parts may not be compatible with your compressor.

Researching the highest quality parts and air tool accessories for your compressor is easier than ever before. Research can also yield these parts at highly discounted prices. The internet has opened up incredible opportunities for the average consumer, as these opportunities were only available to wholesalers and retailers prior to now.

Remember as you search, that the companies you are researching are competing to get your business. This makes buying parts for your air compressor more affordable than it has ever been.

Mike Selvon has some great air compressors articles. Find out more tips on air compressor parts at his resourceful site. We appreciate your feedback at our air compressor parts blog

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By Mike Selvon

Reviewing the Types and Usefullness of Air Compressor Tools

Air compressor tools are gaining in popularity, while electric tools are losing. With the popularity of the air compressor has come a reduction in price that makes them more affordable for both businesses and homeowners. Electric tools, which have a motor built in, weigh much more than compressor tools.

Air tools can make more revolutions per minute and are capable of much more torque. Tasks done with such tools are completed faster and more efficiently than those done with electric tools.

When properly maintained, compressor tools are long-lasting, and somewhat indestructible. They have very few moving parts, so maintenance is usually limited to oiling, and they do not tend to overheat. Most of the tools attach to the air line with an accessory called a quick coupler, making changes very simple and very fast.

There are many different sizes, ranging from mini air compressors, to truck air compressors, to industrial sized compressors. There are also different types of air compressors, including the electric compressor, the gas compressor, and the rotary screw compressor.

There are many different air compressor tools. Two of the most convenient are the inflation kit and the impact wrench. You can inflate a variety of different objects with the inflation kit, including tires, balls and air mattresses.

The impact wrench, similar to the air ratchet wrench, is used mainly in automotive and construction work and is good for adding torque and tightening bolts. When you have an area that is hard to clean, the blow gun is a good option. It can clean dirt, grease and dust from hard to reach areas because it can pump air in high pressure streams.

Air nailers are an efficient way of nailing down shingles, or drywall. The air stapler is similar to the nail gun. Automotive body shops use the air sander in their work.

Sandblasters are used for removing old paint or rust. Most sandblasters have an adapter kit for use with water and detergents for power washing. The ratchet wrench is similar to the impact wrench and is another very popular tool. Both are used mainly in automotive and construction work, and are good for tightening bolts and adding torque.

Air hammers or chisels work well in masonry applications. Air drills allow for effortless drilling into any surface. The simplicity of changing the attachments and the use of one source of power for all makes owning an air compressor and air compressor tools a good investment.

Mike Selvon has some great air compressors articles. Find out more tips on air compressor tools at his resourceful site. We appreciate your feedback at our air compressor parts blog

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By Mike Selvon

Solar Power - A Primer

There are many questions about solar power that have been answered, but of which most people are not aware of. Some of the concerns about this kind of alternative energy include:

How it works - There are different kinds of residential systems that provide solar power to homes. One of the more common types includes a few small or a couple of large panels being placed on the roof of a home. As these panels collect sunlight, the light is captured by photovoltaic cells. These cells then send the sunlight to a central area. Once in this central area, the sunlight is then transformed into energy. This then makes it possible for the energy to be used by the home to power lights, appliances and other devices.

There are times when this energy is used immediately by the home. However, there are other systems that allow this energy to be stored instead. When this energy is stored, this means that it can be used later. For example, if a home is empty while a family is on vacation, the energy will not be used, but when the family returns they are able to have energy in storage that is used.

However, probably the most popular way that people use solar power is through a process called net metering. Net metering occurs when a homeowner has his or her solar energy system tied to the local power grid. In these situations, a home sends the power it generates into the local power grid. In return for this, the owner of the home receives a credit on his or her bill for the amount of energy given to the company.

It is rare that a home creates enough energy to be able to power everything in a home that needs to be powered on a consistent basis. However, in those cases where a home is not using much electricity, the electricity meter can actually turn backwards as energy is being placed into the power company's grid.

Cloudy day energy - One of the concerns people have about this form of energy is the fact that they believe they will not produce any energy on cloudy days. While it is true that a cloudy day causes a home to not be able to collect as much energy, it is not true that no energy will be collected. The fact is that the photovoltaic cells collect UV rays, which are always somewhat prevalent, even on cloudy days.

Roof space - Some people fear that if they choose to use this kind of energy that they will ruin the look of their home. This also is not true. The fact is that many solar energy systems only need to place a couple of flat panels on the roof. These panels are much smaller and blend in much better than they did in the early days of solar energy.

Tax credits - While there were a few federal tax credits for people who utilized solar energy, most of these credits have now expired. There are some states who offer rebate and tax credit programs. Typically the states that offer these programs are those that have a lot of sunlight that can be utilized by solar power.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for Web sites on renewable energy, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background also includes teaching, gardening, and fashion. For more of her useful articles on solar power, please visit Solar Panels and Solar Power Kits, supplier of solar power panels, solar power kits and more

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By Anne Clarke

DIY Solar Power Projects?

For many do-it-yourself-ers, the world of solar energy is untapped because many people are unaware that doing things with solar energy is possible. Although DIY solar projects are not particularly easy projects, they are also far from impossible to do. As long as a person has a little ingenuity and the desire to finish a project, chances are that he or she could have some fun doing solar projects.

Some of the projects that a person who likes to do it yourself might consider tackling include:

• Water heating - The hot water heater in nearly any home gets a lot of use. Even if there is only one person in a home, chances are that the hot water heater is often used. Because this hot water heater requires a lot of energy to run properly, it can be a costly appliance for somebody to run. The costs associated with this appliance turn up to be much more significant if the hot water heater is used in a home in which several people live. However, a person who has a few skills when it comes to fixing things up can hook up his or her own solar water heater. These water heaters work as the light collected by photovoltaic cells are transformed into energy.
• Sun room - For this type of solar energy, there are no photovoltaic cells needed. A sun room is the most simple form of solar energy collection because there is no expensive equipment to buy. Anybody who has gone into a store and left their car under the hot sun to find that the car is very hot when they return already knows something of this kind of solar energy. Building a sun room is one of the DIY solar projects that is worthwhile because it provides a person a place where they can relax in the winter time, but still feel as if they are outdoors. The sun is one of the main sources that helps to heat a room like this.
• Pool heaters - A person who owns a pool can fairly easily figure out a way to use the pool for a couple extra months each year by doing something such as installing solar pool heaters. These pool heaters work by circulating water in and out of the pool. As the water is circulated out, it is heated and then moved back into the pool. At the same time that warm water is being placed back into the pool, cool water is being taken from the pool. This is a continual process that gradually brings the temperature to a warm and comfortable level.
• Remote control cars - A parent who has some do-it-yourself skills can make a toy for a child that he or she is likely to enjoy. A simple remote control car can be made by using a very small photovoltaic cell on the car portion of the device. The cell in these cases takes the place of the battery that would normally be used.

Any of these DIY solar projects can be done, however there are dozens of other projects from which do-it-yourself-ers can choose as well.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for Web sites on renewable energy, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background also includes teaching, gardening, and fashion. For more of her useful articles on solar power, please visit Solar Panels and Solar Power Kits, supplier of solar power panels, solar power kits, and more

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By Anne Clarke

Solar Car Battery Chargers Can Prolong the Life of Your Battery

As environmental problems generate more and more concern, interest in using electricity and solar energy to power cars grows. In order to understand the solar battery charger, you need to understand how a car battery functions. A car battery stores energy and supplies a direct current (DC) to conductive parts of an automobile's circuit. A standard battery has six cells that are 2.1 volts (V) each. It's important to note that when a small amount of voltage is lost it makes a tremendous difference. For example, if your car battery drops from 12.6 to 12.0 V you lose 75% of the charge.

This is important to understand because most solar powered car batteries are six volts; in order to make them operate a car they are paired together. Therefore, if you use a solar car battery you will not have quite as much power as if you use a standard battery. Therefore, you may want to use a standard battery and charge it with solar power to keep your car performing at maximum power.

Experienced do-it-yourselfers can charge a standard lead acid car battery with a solar panel. Connect the solar panel to your battery and use a voltmeter to watch the voltage increase. As you approach 14 V your battery will be charged.

If this sounds too complicated, shop for a solar car battery charger. To understand solar car battery chargers, you should understand a little bit about solar powered cars. Think of solar powered cars as electric cars that are powered by solar energy instead of plug-in technology. The car harnesses solar energy via solar panels attached to the surface of the car. Solar cells capture the sun's energy and convert it into electricity. However, solar powered cars cannot be used for mainstream transportation because they cannot store enough electrical power to travel far when they are not exposed to direct sunlight.

Until solar powered cars make more headway into the consumer market, the next best thing may be the solar car battery charger. A solar battery charger can prolong the life of your battery because the battery can charge without experiencing wear and tear as you drive. If you keep your car in storage a solar charger is very useful because you do not need to drive your car to keep the battery from dying. You simply hook it up to the solar battery charger.

Note that you will not be able to keep your car parked exclusively in the garage if you rarely use it because you will need sunlight to power the solar charger.

The solar car battery charger has yet to invade the mainstream car market and cannot be found in stores like AutoZone and Pep Boys or in the automotive sections of large stores like Wal-Mart. Therefore, you will find it easiest to shop online where you can look for competitive prices and research the chargers.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for Web sites on gardening, biking, fashion, and home decor. Her background also includes running, yoga, and tattoos. For more of her useful information on solar products, visit Solar Battery Charger

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By Anne Clarke

Solar Panels to Increase Energy Efficiency

As of 10 years ago controversy still existed in the scientific community about whether the greenhouse gases affected the environment. However, in the last five years over 98 percent of scientists now agree that greenhouse gases can cause global change to the earth. This concern caught fire in mainstream America when Vice President Al Gore released his movie An Inconvenient Truth, which won an Academy award. Al Gore also shared the Nobel Peace Prize for his contributions to the cause of informing the public about global warming.

Companies that make electric home solar panels have seen their stocks soar over the past five years. Demand has increased as interest in alternative energy provides homeowners and business owners with a green halo and the promise of earning significant return on investment (ROI) over the long-term.

In the fall of 2008, however, new concerns rose about the future of electric home solar panels. The massive number of foreclosures of homes caused a collapse in all five major investment banks. This resulted in a massive withdrawal of funds from money market accounts and an unwillingness on the part of banks to lend to each other. Not only would banks not lend to each other, but they exhibited reluctance to lend to businesses and consumers. Wall Street analysts noted that this posed a threat to the solar panel market because businesses and homeowners typically have to take out loans to purchase solar panels.

Still, the solar industry remains bullish on its future. It believes it can reach grid parity within the next 10 years. Grid parity is achieved when one kilowatt of solar energy costs the same as one kilowatt of grid powered electricity. Once grid parity is reached solar companies can thrive without government rebates or incentives for consumers. These rebates are set to expire within the next eight years.

Other reasons for optimism have popped up. In the October 2008 two companies inked a deal that would allow for sales of photovoltaic thin film solar modules in the United States residential market. Previously, all solar panels on American homes have used polycrystalline silicon cells as the semiconductor material to harness the sun's energy for electricity. Then film solar modules would use cadmium telluride in the panels and would make solar power less expensive.

If innovations like this continue and grid parity is reached as gas prices continue to soar, the future for solar power could be bright. The industry will be watching to see if the federal government's shoring up of the national banks can unfreeze the credit market and allow consumers to regain their enthusiasm for solar power.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for Web sites on gardening, biking, fashion, and home decor. Her background also includes running, yoga, and tattoos. For more of her useful information on solar products, visit Home Solar Panels

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By Anne Clarke

Truck Parts and Accessories

People who trucks know what workhorses such vehicles can be. Without trucks there would be no economy, no civilization and no advancements. It is really amazing how much of every person's life is based on the transportation of goods. All the food found at grocery stores, all the furniture and appliances that we use everyday have all been transported on a truck at some point or another, which makes the reliability of these vehicles a huge factor in local and global economies. If every truck stopped functioning right now markets would slowly run out of food which would escalate into global crisis that could cause riots, even wars.

Trucks are built to be much stronger than regular vehicles. However, since they are used for work they see constant abuse. The measurement of a truck is based on the amount of abuse it and its parts can take before failure. One weak part can make an otherwise strong vehicle useless, which means the job cannot be finished. Regular maintenance can help a lot, it is especially good for recognizing problems before they get worse or completely fail. Among the first things to fail are rubber seals and gaskets which can lower the performance of your truck. These are easy to replace by a mechanic and many people can do it at home on their own.

Truck parts are easy to find for most models. The basic design of this vehicle option has not changed much since its first design. As a result, many parts are often interchangeable even though the outer appearance of the truck may have changed from model year to model year. Aftermarket parts are also very common, with exhausts, transmissions, superchargers, and many other additions to improve strength and performance. Grills and grill lights can protect the body of the truck, and provide additional light for the job site and any off road applications.

Depending on the type of truck that you have there are usually many certified mechanics that can work on its model. Remember also that the more you know about your own vehicle can also save on maintenance costs. Many parts, such as belts, fans and spark plugs can be easily changed by most people with very little training. Larger fixes, such as transmission work should be left to professionals because of the complexity of the mechanism and how integral the part is.

Simple things like keeping tire pressure correct as well as rotating the tires can increase the life of your truck and truck parts. Regular oil changes can be done at home in many cases, or can be completed by a professional while you wait. Another often overlooked regular maintenance is simply keeping the vehicle clean. Salt and other chemicals found in roads can ruin paint which protects the body from rust, but it can also get into key mechanical parts and corrode those even quicker because they are often not protected by paint. Once a piece begins rusting it is difficult to stop it from spreading to the rest of the car.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for Web sites on vehicles, fashion, and home decor. Her background also includes teaching, gardening, and recreation. For more of her useful articles on trucks, please visit Truck Parts, supplier of truck tool boxes, truck trailer hitches, truck wheels, service directories, and more

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By Anne Clarke

Behind the Music - Ceremony and Recessional Wedding Songs

To make your music planning go more smoothly, approach it systematically by breaking it down by the parts of the ceremony and choosing one or two songs for each section.

Ceremony music can be as minimal or elaborate as you would like. You can opt for instrumental music throughout or ask a soloist (a professional or a talented family member) to perform a special song.

Ceremony - During the ceremony itself, music can express how you feel about each other as perfectly as your vows, sometimes even more so. How do you want to communicate those feelings to your guests? Some people choose the traditional simplicity of hymns. Others take a more contemporary route. We know one couple that had their pianist play a beautiful instrumental version of an AC/DC tune during the ceremony. It's a novel idea, just run it by your wedding coordinator or celebrant first to see what they think.

Of course, if Angus Young isn't exactly your style, here are some more traditional choices for the ceremony: Ave Maria, Schubert; How Beautiful, Paris; I Will be Here, Chapman; Panis Angelicus, Franck; The Gift of Love, (Water is Wide melody); The Prayer, Sager/Foster; and The Wedding Song (There is Love), Stookey.

One additional suggestion: be consistent. Either choose prerecorded music for the whole ceremony, or go for live music, but don't mix and match. It can get a little jarring if you switch back and forth.

Recessional - The music you choose for your recessional speaks to your relationship going forward together. It's the culmination of the entire ceremony, and is often fast-paced and upbeat. Traditional songs full of drama and verve work well, or this is a great place to insert a contemporary tune. One couple chose Nothin's Gonna Stop us Now by Starship, played on the organ. Some other options include: Finale (from Water Music), Handel; Ode to Joy, Beethoven; Spring (from The Four Seasons), Vivaldi; Trumpet Tune, Purcell; and The Wedding March (from A Midsummer Night's Dream), Mendelssohn.

Whichever songs you decide on for the different parts of your wedding ceremony, remember that it's just that: your wedding ceremony. From the prelude to the recessional and everywhere in between, choose tunes that evoke positive feelings for you as husband and wife. If the music is meaningful to you, that's all that matters. You might want to think twice about O Fortuna, though!

Tim has been recording and performing professionally for over ten years. As part of The O'Neill Brothers, he's sold nearly two million CDs. He started taking piano lessons at age five and began playing for weddings of family and friends as a teenager. Find popular wedding song selections and helpful planning tips at http://www.MyWeddingMusic.com

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By Tim H O'Neill

Basics of Unique Wedding Favors

Wedding planning can be daunting. The flowers, the music, the food, the dress, the location, and more all have to be considered to make a perfect day. Everyone seems to have an idea on what dress looks best, the colors that fit the season, and of course, the favors that will make the most lasting impression on your guests.

Ah, wedding favors. These small tokens of appreciation are a symbol of the theme of the wedding, a measurement of appreciation for your guests, and a reminder of your special day. It will be the one thing guests take away to always remind them of that great party you threw in celebration of your love. So how does one choose this token for their wedding day?

The best advice I've heard is to find truly unique wedding favors is to find something practical and personal, but not too much of either. After all, if nobody is a fan of your bride and groom salt and pepper shakers, you may end up taking all of them home with you. And while your relatives may thank you for pictures of yourselves when you were babies, most guests won't be impressed by this choice. Cheese graters fit the practical bill, but unless a cheese platter is your main course, they may not be the perfect symbol for your guests to remember this day by. Measuring spoons, soaps, candles, and picture frames can also fall into this category. They are practical, and seem to fit as gifts, but may not be taken home by your bachelor friends.

Themed gifts help play up a fun theme: pizza cutters for a pizza reception, decks of cards for a Vegas wedding, shells for a beach-themed affair. Food gifts are a good idea, but beware that melted chocolate in the hands of innocent children may create a mess, leaving gooey hands to give hugs on that expensive wedding dress. Other food ideas, like fresh green Granny Smith apples or jars of honey or jams, add a pop of color and a tasty treat for guests to enjoy at the reception or take home. The best wedding favors are creative, and a true sign of appreciation for your guest. I love the coasters I received with LOVE printed on them. At a beach wedding, we saw umbrellas, hats, and flip flops for the guests to pick up before the ceremony. And I saw a vineyard wedding where wine was given out, along with wine bottles filled with candy for all under 21. The time and thought put into these gifts made them unusual and useful for each guest.

Adding personal touches will remind the guests of you no matter how often they use them. If you are an outdoorsy couple, an adventuresome favor may bring special memories for you and your guests. If you are food lovers, a fondue set or special cheese spread set may be perfect. And if traveling is your favorite pastime, luggage tags as favors will personalize this special gift. A new trend in wedding favors is donating money to a favorite charity in the name of the guests. The reception tables hold notes informing guests of their donation. When my fiancé and I were thinking of favors, we wanted something that everyone would enjoy, remember us by, and that truly said thank you. Our ideas ranged from picture frames, personalized cd's, and those charming wine bottles filled with our favorite candies. We're still not sold on a perfect favor, but when we find the right gift it'll be one that celebrates the love and friendship of all those special people there.

If you are looking for Wedding Favors or Unique Wedding Favors, visit E-WeddingFavors who by far I have found has the best prices and the biggest selection of wedding favors & unique wedding favors

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By Aaron C Hu

Portable Solar Power Can SAVE You Money

A step ahead from the fixed systems, portable solar power systems are now the new wave of noiseless, environmentally friendly power generation systems. Compared to their forerunners, they use photovoltaic systems to convert solar energy into electricity. The innovative point about the systems is that you can truly take them wherever you want. The future of renewable energy is in the systems that bring you the freedom and independence from other conventional power plants. Not only do they avoid the use of fossil fuel, but they are also free from pollution, and free from emission gases and greenhouse effects.

The opportunities for using portable solar power systems are wide and varied. Trekking into the wilderness or expeditions into the Amazon forests are just two examples of where portable solar systems can be of significant value. In areas like this where no grid system or electrical supply distribution exists, portable solar power systems bring renewable and storable energy when and where you need it.

Portable solar systems are ecologically friendly at the same time as being highly convenient. Mounted on trailers, they do not require fuel, maintenance, or contribute to any pollution, and they are also completely silent.

A portable solar power system with accompanying batteries can supply all the electricity required for appliances and portable I. T. This is true as much in African game reserves as in the distant flood disaster zones.

It is a truly marvelous sign of progress to be able to noiselessly change solar energy into easily usable 120 volt A.C. power simply by flicking a switch. The solar panels with their charge controllers and battery inverters combine both modern technology and design. Being maintenance free, they require relatively little or even no maintenance in any case. With battery backup systems, they bring numerous advantages including the instantaneous supply of electricity in isolated areas where there is no connection to the power grid.

Because of the way the portable solar power generators are designed, any of electricity that is surplus to requirements because the generator is producing more current than is needed, is automatically stored in the battery bank for later consumption. The design of portable solar systems is relatively simple and comprises three basic parts. The first part consists of the PV panels to generate electricity from solar radiation. The second part concerns a charge controller which runs the electricity into a bank of batteries. The third part is an inverter to retrieve the electrical power from the batteries to deliver a sine wave 120 volt A.C. current when required. People are often surprised by the simplicity and the effectiveness of the design.

You don't have to go to the Amazon rain forests to use a portable power supply. They are also available for homes, ranches and farms where they can power anything from blenders to pumps. The smaller portable solar power appliances can be carried in your truck or car to your holiday home or placed in recreational vehicles or boats. In short they can be made available for any site, which has not yet been equipped with access to the national electricity grid.

Portable solar power generators producing solar electricity use the same principles as their fixed type counterparts. In the same way, protons striking the solar cell panels as part of the sunlight become absorbed by the panels and provide the energy to generate electricity. The PV panels for portables act in the same way as the fixed versions.

With portable solar power generators quickly replacing traditional diesel propane generators, it's possible to predict a future where conventional and polluting generators are no longer used. Perhaps very soon, the only way to see a fossil-fuel power generator will be to visit a scrap-yard or a museum.

There are considerable financial benefits as well as environmental ones for solar power. Knowing how to install and wire such a system can be both easy and safe when you have access to the right information. A good manual will also tell you where to get batteries and other parts inexpensively, sometimes even for free. All of this will let you put your solar power system into action efficiently and securely, while respecting all required safety precautions.

Jim Martin is a researcher, inventor, home energy consultant and author of the #1 best-selling e-book, "Earth 4 Electricity- Renewable Energy Made Easy". Jim has written dozens of home energy related articles and has been featured in ezines and print magazines, as well as on hundreds of websites worldwide.
To Learn More about Jim Martin´s Unique Step By Step Solar and Wind Power System Visit: Solar Power

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_E._Martin

By Jim E. Martin

12 Volt Power Inverters

To take full benefit of an independent electrical system, a power inverter - a complex piece of electrical hardware - is very essential. It converts battery supplied power (DC) into an oscillating type of electricity (AC), which is needed to run nearly all devices in and around the house. A 12 volt power inverter is a method of inverting or changing 12 volts to 115 volts. Other power inverter voltage ranges, such as 24 volt input and 240 volt output, are also available.

12 volt power inverters come in many types and sizes. In addition to providing the alteration of one power type to another, they are constantly modified to provide better efficiency and stability. These devices are used to produce the same kind of power made from generators and utility companies.

A 12 volt power inverter enables you to run all home and office appliances, such as microwaves, central heating pumps, lighting, tropical fish aquariums, DVD theaters, fax machines, laptops, etc. Since they are good standby power sources, the inverters are extremely useful during power cuts. They are also ideal for use in your caravan, motor home, boat or RV.

The most common types of 12 volt inverters are modified sine wave inverters or modified square wave inverters. Another variety is a true sine wave inverter that provides utility grade power. Occasionally it offers a better quality than utility grade power. Pure sine wave inverters can power any appliance inside its power range. It is used in most RV and marine 12 volt power inverters.

Once you have decided to buy a 12 volt power inverter, think about what power (wattage) it should be carried. The total wattage is calculated as a product of current and voltage (i.e. Amps x Voltage = Watts). It is wise to purchase a little larger power inverter than you need.

12 volt power inverters are usually connected through a cigarette lighter or hard wired to the battery. Over 300 watts needs a direct battery connection. A good unit features under and over power shield and also low battery alarms. Read and follow your manual for safety and proper installation of your 12 volt power inverter.

Power Inverters provides detailed information on Power Inverters, DC To AC Power Inverters, Emergency Power Inverters, Car Power Inverter and more. Power Inverters is affiliated with How to Replace a Circuit Breaker

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

By Josh Riverside

Tenerife Cheap Car Hire - Are You Getting A Good Deal?

Brief Background:

If you're travelling to Tenerife for the first time then here are some basic facts that you might find useful.

Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands, and rumour has it that it is the most popular when it comes to the annual influx of holiday-makers from across Europe.

Tenerife enjoys good year round weather conditions with relatively little difference between summer and winter month temperatures.

The scenery is stunning and when coupled with the low cost of living and alluring night-life in the main resort towns of Santa Cruz and Los Cristianos, it's no wonder that it has become a firm favourite for many.

Driving

Driving around Tenerife's highways and byways is the best way to get to know the island and discover its dramatic scenery and picturesque villages.

The Tinerfeños as the locals are known are quite a sociable lot and tend sometimes to use driving around as way of catching up on the local gossip often stopping in the middle of road to engage in conversation with family and friends.

On arrival you basically have 2 choices of pick up and drop of locations namely:

1. Tenerife Norte - Los Rodeos Apt
2. South Tenerife - Reina Sofia Airport

For either of the above drop off/pick up locations the cost of hiring a car is roughly the same.

But do make sure that you specify the correct airport on your booking form as this will help to avoid needless time loss and confusion on arrival.

Typical Car Hire Rates:

Hire rates tend to vary greatly depending on the size, make and model. But in the main, most car hire companies will quote you roughly around £135 for an Economy Volkswagen Fox 2 dr. with AC Manual for 7 days. For those after something more sport, a 'soft-top' Volkswagen Eos Cabrio with Ac, Manual may just fit the bill. Cars with that kind of, high-spec and flashy looks don't come cheap at around the £440 mark for a week's hire. A 2-dr and 4-dr version are both available with the 4 -dr. version approximately £20 cheaper to hire for the week.

So, are you getting a good deal?

When it come to hiring a car in Tenerife it does pay to check exactly what is and isn't included in your hire rates as this does vary from company to company.

For instance your hire company should include these as standard:

1. Unlimited mileage
2. Local taxes
3. Airport hire
4. Apartment / Hotel Delivery Service
5. Driver insurance
6. Car theft insurance
7. Civil Liability
8. 24 hours emergency phone service
9. Low excess charge

If not, do shop around particularly online where you can easily compare different supplier rates and offers.

Other options that you might want to look out for are:

• Child Seat - what's the daily hire cost?
• Does the company offer - Out of hours Pickup / Drop off ?
• Surcharges if any for drivers aged 25 or younger or aged 70 or older?

TIP: For rentals commencing at airport locations make sure that your booking form has accurate flight information. This is essential to ensure a timely service in case your flight is delayed.

In Conclusion

If you want to save yourself some time and hassle then click on the Tenerife cheap car hire link in the signature below to get instant access to a review of top supplier offers.

Click Tenerife cheap car hire for a review of the best hire offers. Dave Logan is an avid traveller and travel article writer. He actively researches the best airfares and travel deals available on the Internet. He has written and published several travel articles and newsletters and has helped many travel deal seekers find the hidden gems on line

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

By Dave Logan

A Review of the Undercover Tonneau Cover

If you're thinking of fitting a hard truck tonneau cover maybe you should forget about a fiberglass version and instead opt for an Undercover Tonneau Cover. Thanks to the use of new advanced polymers there are lots of advantages and very few things to be said against it. Here's the low down on what you'll be getting.

First off, an Undercover tonno is strong. Having been designed with the company's patented X-effect™ system and being made from high-tech polymers it has incredible strength and durability but weighs far less than a conventional fiberglass tonno. Weight is a known problem with hard tonno covers.

Its lightweight construct - at only around 58lbs - means that installation is far easier than fiberglass and removal and storage of the cover is a one-man, rather than two-man, operation.

As you'd expect with a modern, well-designed truck bed tonneau, installation is fairly straightforward. There's no drilling required, no special tools ( you only need 1/2" and 3/8" socket or open-end wrenches), and installation takes about 30 minutes - the company claims it can be done in around 15 minutes, but unless you've installed one before, you can expect it to take somewhere between 30 and 60 minutes.

The cover comes with some nice features. Its low profile and snug fit really complements the look of any truck. It comes with a quick release mechanism making it child's play to take on and off - it also comes with wall mount hardware so you can stow it in your garage out of the way. You also get hydraulically actuated struts for ease of opening and closing. The cover can also be paint-matched to your truck.

Not only does it weigh less than fiberglass models but it cost less too. The Undercover truck cover retails for a lot less than a comparable, well-made fiberglass tonno. Because you'll be reducing your drag, you'll save on gas and the cover should pay for itself in next to no time.

Okay, it sound good, but are there any problems with these covers? Well, nothing's perfect.

If you have a bed liner installed, depending on it and your truck's make, it can be necessary to modify the liner during installation. Provided you take your time, installation is still straightforward and you will still get a weather-tight fit.

Although you can paint the cover, because of its texture, there may be a slight difference in the color between the cover and your truck. Solid colors don't appear to be a problem; however metallic paints can be more problematic. If in doubt get a professional paint shop to do it for you.

Both of these above points are minor. Overall, many consumer reviews of the Undercover Tonneau Cover give it an excellent rating. The company makes a good product - currently, it manufacturers over 50 models so you can be sure that you'll find one to fit your truck perfectly. Finally, the company also backs up its products - each comes with a 3 year warranty on workmanship and materials, and 1 year on hardware and struts.

Follow the links for the Undercover Tonneau Cover as well as other truck tonneau covers like an Access or Extang Tonneau Cover

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

By Robin Cassidy

Fiberglass Tonneau Covers - Tips to Make Sure You Buy the Best For Your Truck

You've worked had for your money and fiberglass tonneau covers don't come cheap. So, before you part with your money you need to make sure you buy the truck cover that's right for you. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice.

First off, always buy quality. Don't be tempted to buy a cheap brand you've never heard; there's a good reason why they're cheap and not known. Buying too cheaply can be false economy; you won't get the weather-tight protection for your truck bed, you want get easy installation, you won't get the security you want and you won't add to the value of your truck.

Secondly, ask yourself what you use your truck for. If you rarely carry large cargo, then you can concentrate on buying one that looks good, is weather-tight, and can be locked securely with one lock (or a remote control lock) and is easy to open and close.

Look for truck tonneau covers fitted with hydraulic assist struts, which will automatically open and close the lid for you. Also, what kind of hinge system would best suit your requirements? Most covers are hinged along the cabin and lift open from the tailgate. This is fine for most truck owners, but if you need better access, then you could take a look at scissor hinge systems that vertically raise the lid, so you get 360 degree access to your cargo (the A.R.E TopUp is a very good design).

You should also think about any optional extras that will make your life easier. Things like carpeted interiors, interior lights, remote control locking devices, wings and tool boxes that can be fitted on top of the cover.

If you use your truck for work, access is even more important to you. Look at other configurations like the Gaylord Butterfly tonneau cover that has two covers hinged along the center of the truck bed. Will you often need to remove the cover from the truck? Then it's vital that you choose one that can be easily detached from the mounting frame and then easily reinstalled later on. Good brands like A.R.E, Leer and Gaylord make excellent covers that be easily removed and re-installed.

As stated above, always go with quality. There are many brands of good quality fiberglass tonneau covers, however, to get you going in the right direction, take a look at A.R.E., Leer and Gaylord truck covers.

Follow the links for fiberglass tonneau covers like Leer and Gaylord truck covers. The best truck tonneau cover is one made of fiberglass

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

By Robin Cassidy

Fitting a Truck Tonneau Cover Will Significantly Lower the Running Costs of Your Vehicle

It used to be that the main reasons for fitting a truck tonneau cover were for the security and protection of your belongings but, with sky-high gas prices, buying a tonno cover can now save you money. In fact, if you do a lot of mileage, you should be thinking if you can afford NOT to fit one.

Depending on who you listen to fitting a truck bed tonno cover can increase MPG by up to 15%. While, I think these claims are a little on the high side, there's no doubting the fuel savings to be had when a truck is properly fitted with a cover.

The Ford Motor Company recently commissioned a study on how much MPG was increased on trucks fitted with a tonno. They reported that MPG could be increased by as much as 10%.

If you don't believe the claims of a car manufacturer, you could look at results published by independent organizations. For instance, the Specialty Equipment Market Association tested 13 different covers (soft, folding and hard) on 4 different makes of vehicle and found that the overall increase in MPG was around 7.8%.

If you do the math, taking 8% as the benchmark, you can easily work out how much you'd save on fuel costs each month.

Okay, so you're convinced of the reduction of fuel costs, but still don't know which type of truck tonneau cover is best? In terms of MPG, there really isn't any difference if you fit a soft roll-back, or hard folding design or fiberglass.

Of course, each of these types has advantages and disadvantages - including initial purchase cost. Soft, traditional rollback versions are generally the cheapest. This doesn't necessarily mean they're inferior to their hard counterparts. Many come with double layered, high quality vinyl tarps, with easy-to-adjust tension mounts and secure locking. There are numerous good models on the market; check out the likes of Truxedo, Extang and the Access roll up tonneau cover.

If you require a more secure version, you should think about fitting aluminum, fiberglass or a polymer version. Again costs vary depending on which type you choose. Fiberglass is still a popular choice, but if you use your truck for work, consider an aluminium version as these handle every day knocks better than fiberglass. You may not have heard of Undercover tonneau covers but you should definitely take a look at what this company has to offer. Made from tough, polymer these covers are stronger than fiberglass, lighter (less than half the) and are cheaper.

But whichever type you choose you will not only get security and weather protection; you also increase the overall value of your truck and, most importantly of all, a truck tonneau cover will increase your gas mileage and save you money.

Follow the links to find out more and check out prices on truck tonneau covers like the Access rollup tonneau cover and Undercover tonneau cover as well as many other leading brands

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

By Robin Cassidy

Is a Hard Fiberglass Tonneau Cover Really Worth the Price Tag?

When you decide to buy a truck tonneau cover, you have several options as to material used in lid itself. There's aluminum, canvas, vinyl and plastic polymers. But, by far the most expensive option is fiberglass. You really have to think carefully if a hard fiberglass tonneau cover is right for you or whether you should save yourself a few hundred dollars and fit one made of one of the other materials.

Advantages of Fiberglass Truck Covers

Along with aluminum and polymers, fiberglass offers good security for your cargo. Most quality models are fitted with just one lock (found at the tailgate). The locking mechanism ensures that the lid is tight-fitted along the entire bed rail making forced entry difficult. Quality manufacturers like Gaylord Tonneau Covers offer bitted key systems or remote control devices.

They're also very weather-tight. Look for those that are fitted with neoprene seals. When was the last time your saw a hard fiberglass cover flap about on the back of a truck on the highway?

They can be the easiest type of cover to open and close. While vinyl covers may be light, access to your cargo is by means of undoing snaps, Velcro or peeling back a peel-and-seal system. This can be time consuming and fiddly especially if you need to get at a large part of the truck bed. Quality fiberglass covers come with hydraulic, lift assist hinges; they are designed to automatically open and close the lid with the slightest effort on your part - some can even be operated by remote control. The hinges also keep the lid open so both hands are free to haul in and out cargo.

Optional extras like inside lights make operating them easy. Carpeted interiors also help to protect your cargo.

Without doubt, when paint-matching the tonno to your truck, fiberglass is the best material. No other material has that wonderful, lustrous look when painted. If you want a factory-fitted look, you must choose fiberglass.

Finally, some manufacturers will make specific models to fit vintage or Classic trucks. These beautifully crafted tonnos add to the wonderful lines of these trucks. Can you really imagine one of the classics being fitted with a vinyl cover?

Disadvantages of Fiberglass Truck Covers

There's no denying that they are heavier than plastic polymer and vinyl versions. This makes self-installation problematic for some. Most installations are a two-man job.

Their weight also makes them less than ideal for those who need to regularly remove the cover for carrying large cargo loads. Again, a helping pair of hands is required.

For trucks that work for a living or those that take a lot of knocks, aluminum or plastic polymer versions might be well suited. However, don't rule-out fiberglass altogether; the Gaylord Butterfly tonneau is a very practical - and stylish - cover specifically designed for work.

Some might argue that price is also a disadvantage, but I'd argue that the price of fiberglass is a reflection of the materials and component used. A hard fiberglass tonneau cover is worth its price tag: you get what you pay for in life.

Follow the links for hard fiberglass tonneau covers like Leer and Gaylord truck covers. The best truck tonneau cover is one made of fiberglass

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

By Robin Cassidy