Generator Field Study
November 15, 2008
Generator Field Study
by: Justin Kitson
Generators are essential for fieldwork done by consultants often exposed to remote areas where electricity is not available.
A Goscor Engines customer recently did an intensive study to establish which generators are suitable for use with sensitive equipment such as the Cedip product range where spike and dips in power supply are very unhealthy for the equipment used.
Prior to doing the comparative study the customer, working in the field as a logistics consultant, used battery supplies as equipment power source. He found battery supply as power source extremely limiting due to limited battery life.
Subsequently the consultant tried using UPS as a power supply especially when he did demonstration work but also found that time is a factor as the UPS also ran out of power, often at crucial points during a demonstration.
Traditional generators were not suitable either as dips and spikes occurs damaging the sensitive equipment used during demonstrations.
How To Change Auto Insurance Companies
November 14, 2008
How To Change Auto Insurance Companies
by: Matt McWilliams
Changing Auto Insurance Companies May be Easier Than you Think!
There are many reasons why you may choose to change your auto insurance coverage to another company. Perhaps you’ve found another company that offers you the same amount of coverage for considerably less money. You might have changed jobs and are eligible for a group discount through another insurer, or maybe you’re unhappy with the service that your present company provides. With the growth of the internet and quote comparison sites, investigating your options has never been easier!
Why change to a new Auto insurance carrier?
You need to regularly review your auto insurance coverage to make sure that you are receiving the best insurance value for your money. You will discover that it pays to shop around. In some states, premiums for identical policies vary widely among different auto insurance companies. The reasons for this price variation can be very complicated, but they boil down to a company’s claims experience with policyholders in a coverage group (e.g. people of similar age, number of accidents, type of vehicle). For example, if a large number of people in a coverage group files claims during a given year, their rates will likely rise. When this happens, better discounts and lower overall premiums may be available at other insurance companies. When you decide to switch your auto insurance to another company, you’ll find that it’s fairly easy to do so.
The Five Most Common Mistakes When Buying Car Speakers
November 13, 2008
The Five Most Common Mistakes When Buying Car Speakers
by: Ross McIver
When it comes time to buying replacement speakers for a car audio system, there are several mistakes which are commonly made. Be sure to read this handy guide to avoid the five most common mistakes when buying car speakers.
1. Plan your budget. Are you revamping your entire audio system? If so you need to allocate money to different parts of the system. If you are just changing the speakers, decide how much money you want to spend on them before seeing what is available. This will allow you to keep costs within a reasonable range.
2. Consider how much you are willing to modify your car. Some speaker systems require extensive modification. This is an extra cost which must be factored into your budget, and also may affect the resale value of the car if you decide you want to try and keep the audio system.
Correct Diesel Tuning
November 12, 2008
Correct Diesel Tuning
by: The Diesel Experts
Diesel tuning is more important than we think. Lets get down to the basics.
Diesel is distilled crude oil (Distillate). Unlike what most ‘Hollywood’ movies promote of a diesel truck hitting a wall and exploding like a small nuclear bomb, oil does not readily ignite, particularly a liquid form. If we atomise it though, it will burn readily. The diesel principle relies on air being compressed to approx. 500PSI. This in turn heats the air, turning it into the igniter (diesels don’t have igniters such as spark plugs). Heard of a glow plug? Glow plug only glow on cold start-up to help warm up the air in the combustion chamber. A bit like when you are pumping up a push bike tyre, the pump gets warm.
Toyota Modified Valve Body
November 11, 2008
Toyota Modified Valve Body
by: John Lombardo
As many Toyota and Jeep owners know, the AW4 / Toyota 340, A340, and A341E series of transmissions are generally very well made and demonstrate excellent durability in unmodified applications. The framework is present for an extremely strong transmission that is to be used in a high performance or extreme duty application.
The problem is that the original calibration is engineered for driver comfort rather than ultimate component strength. The soft, sliding shifts that are part of the original design are not appropriate for increased horsepower applications, towing, off road use, racing, etc.
These calibration inadequacies quickly manifest themselves as extremely poor shift quality, and more often than not, severe damage to the gearbox is soon to follow. One of the most common symptoms of this is the engine stuttering or hitting the rev limiter during a full throttle upshift.
Without going into too much technical detail, the factory shortcomings can be addressed through modification and recalibration of the control valve assembly, a.k.a. the valve body.
The valve body is a component that is comprised of valves, solenoids, an orifice separator plate and an intricate series of passages- it is the most complex component in the most complex part of your vehicle- the automatic transmission.
My Credit Affects My Car Insurance Rate?
November 10, 2008
My Credit Affects My Car Insurance Rate?
by: Rob Sliver
You probably know that lenders use information in your credit report to determine if they’ll give you credit. But did you know that in some states, insurance companies also consider your credit history? Good or bad, your credit history may affect your ability to purchase homeowners or auto insurance coverage and help determine what premium you’ll pay.
For example, consider these scenarios:
Two years ago, you were unemployed for six months. Before you could find a new job, you fell behind on several credit card payments. Now your auto insurance rates are going up, even though you’ve never filed a claim against your policy.
You’ve always paid your bills on time, and you’ve always paid cash instead of applying for credit. Why could this be a problem? Similar to when you apply for a mortgage or credit card, your lack of credit history means you’re an unknown quantity - there is no history of monthly credit card payments.
Many people believe that only their driving record is important, but that’s simply not the case. The majority of auto insurance companies consider credit to be a very important rating variable.
Bugs and Cars: No Match There
November 10, 2008
Bugs and Cars: No Match There
by: Matthew C. Keegan
For those of us living in the southern US states, the proliferation of the insect population is a recognizable part of southern living. Evidence of the huge bug population is manifest on vehicles across the southland in warmer months, particularly on the hood, in and against the grille, and right on the windshield. Fortunately, two products have been developed that can effectively combat the resultant bug splatter: car bras and bug deflectors. Are they good choices for your car? They can be! Please read on to learn more.
Car bras - Also called hood protectors, car bras provide maximum protection for the front end of virtually any vehicle on the road. Custom sized for each vehicle, car bras slip over the front end, covering the grill and the front part of the hood. There are some car bras that extend further up the hood almost to the windshield too. Some car bras are two part sections that allow for motorists to gain access to the hood without removing the bra, while others are one piece units that must be removed before popping the hood. In all cases, bugs are deflected from the grille and from at least part of the hood with a car bra.
You Can Install A Performance Exhaust System
November 9, 2008
You Can Install A Performance Exhaust System
by: Matthew C. Keegan
If you are considering replacing your vehicle’s exhaust system, a performance exhaust system can be an ideal choice, offering to you many benefits over a stock exhaust system. Let’s examine the benefits of installing a performance exhaust system versus a stock exhaust system.
1. More Power - One of the obvious benefits of a performance exhaust system is more power for your car. Using catalyst back [cat-back] technology, additional horsepower is freed up, with horsepower increases of 5%, 10%, and even 15% possible. Exactly how does a cat-back system work? By keeping all the key emissions components in place, a cat-back system brings in large width exhaust pipes and low restriction performance mufflers for your car resulting in a lowering of exhaust back pressure. One nice side benefit is the deeper, throatier pitch created by the exhaust system. Since your vehicle’s engine is in essence an air pump, a cat-back system helps the engine to pump and flow air with less disruption.
2. Better Fuel Economy - You will achieve better fuel economy as a performance exhaust system allows your engine to run more effectively, thus consuming less fuel.
You Can Examine Your Brakes
November 8, 2008
You Can Examine Your Brakes
by: Matthew C. Keegan
Regular brake inspections are an essential part of good automotive maintenance that can save you money and keep your car from wrapping itself around the first tree out of your driveway. Make sure that your brakes and rotors are receiving the proper maintenance by following the steps outlined. Your safety as well as that of your passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers is at stake.
1. Time for a free inspection. Many local brake shops as well as national brake repair chains offer customers free brake inspections at no obligation to you. The inspection typically includes the following steps:
Check your vehicle’s brake pads and shoes for signs of wear;
Fill and/or replace hydraulic fluids;
Examine rotor/drum wear and calipers;
Examine the anti-lock brake system [if you have one]
An annual check up of your brakes is wise, but do it more often if you drive well above the national average [about 15,000 miles per year] or if you do heavy stop and go driving.
2. Awareness is the key. Most brake system problems can be avoided if motorists would pay attention to certain signs of pending problems including:
Plugin Diesel Power
November 7, 2008
Plugin Diesel Power
by: Byron Moore
With ever rising fuel costs and efiiciency now a major forcus of car manufacturers world wide and new product has been developed that can make all the difference for diesel vehicles.
The mass-produced diesel car engine generally has a number of shortcomings that are the result of the necessity to meet a wide variety of service conditions and realities, such as variations in manufacturing tolerances, fuel quality variations, climatic conditions, and inferior maintenance. As a result, the off- the-shelf characteristics of a standard diesel engine offer significant scope for improvement and, as has been shown by power and torque curves obtained from dynamometer tests, poor low speed response and mid-range “flat-spots” can often be eliminated, with a resulting improvement in overall performance - which doesn’t just mean going faster. So “tuning” is not all about raising power and torque output, (although this is usually also a pleasant end result!) but equally about optimising the efficiency of the engine. Improved efficiency means improved economy and better fuel consumption.
