More Than A Number

The evolution of diesel generators just got kicked up a notch with the invention of the Vegawatt Power System, a cooking oil-powered generator that’s being used at the Finz seafood restaurant in Dedham, Massachusetts. Popular Science gave the Vegawatt one of its Invention Awards for a nifty solution to a common restaurant problem: what to do with leftover oil and how to provide enough energy for the fryers that produce it in the first place.

The 6’-tall Vegawatt, invented by engineer James Peret, processes about 10 to 12 gallons of used deep-fryer oil every day, or 80 gallons per week, which is about standard for large restaurants. The end result is some five kilowatts of energy per hour, which can reduce power costs by about 10% and equal monthly savings of $1,000.

According to Popular Science, “Before going into the Vegawatt’s generator, the bread-crumb-filled muck is deposited into a reservoir and undergoes a multi-stage cleaning, treatment, and filtration process. At this stage, the oil is prepared for combustion with a method Peret devised that draws heat from the exhaust system. After that, the processed grease moves into a tank that feeds the modified 15-horsepower diesel generator. Heat from the Vegawatt’s engine coolant is used to warm the water in the building’s pipes, further reducing the restaurant’s energy needs.”

Stay tuned to learn about more generator and automatic voltage regulator innovations. The face of the industrial generator as we know it is changing.

DLP-based HDTV should last a long time considering that the digital micro-mirror behind the product is very dependable. These tough micro-mirrors are resistant to heat, humidity, and vibration. The only part of the TV that will need to be replaced is the DLP-based lamp. Typically these lamps last for 8,000 hours. However, cheaper models have been known to last only 1,000 hours while high-end models have lasted up to 20,000 hours. In any case, you will eventually need to purchase a replacement lamp. It is important to purchase one that is made specifically for your TV. If you own the Samsung 50-inch HLP5063W TV, for instance, then you will need the BP96-00826A lamp.

To find the correct replacement lamp for your DLP HDTV, make sure that you visit the original company that you purchased your TV from or an authorized dealer. There are many authorized dealers for name brand products, such as Samsung parts and accessories, making it easier for you to purchase hard-to-find items, such as the BP96-01653A lamp. In the meantime, proper care of your DLP TV can help extend the life of your lamp. The following are a few tips according to DLP TV Review.

• Lower the default color setting and contrast. Manufacturers usually set the color to the brightest picture setting; however, this will inevitably cut the lamp’s lifespan in half. Likewise, reducing the contrast setting will help prolong the life of your lamp. Set it to normal or standard.
• Make sure the air filters are clean. It is crucial to change the air filters at least once a month to promote better airflow. The air will keep the lamp cooler longer, thus extending the life of the lamp.

Use of water jets isn’t restricted to water jet cutting. Beyond food, metals, glass, and stone cutting, water jets have a number of practical applications, one of which is cleaning. KMT Aqua-Dyne water jetting equipment, with pumps ranging from 5hp and 500hp, pressure between 1,000psi and 40,000psi, and flow rates between .21gpm and 363 gpm, is suitable for surface cleaning and industrial cleaning applications. Frame, skid, trailer, and bare shaft models are all available. 

What can be cleaned with a water jet? Water jetting equipment has been used to:

• remove coatings from airplanes and rockets
• clean paraffin and crude residue on platforms and storage tanks
• wash off mud, varnish, and cement from drilling and industrial pipes
• scrub boilers, tanks, valves, evaporators, tune bundles, and more
• cleanse vehicles and machinery of grease, vegetation, tar, mud, cement, and asphalt
• eliminate marine growth, paint, and rust from ships, docks, and ballasts
• scour paper machinery to eradicate grease, oil, dirt, and pulp
• get rid of cement, potash, lime, and gypsum in railroad hopper cars
•  scour pipes and tubes in aluminum plants to remove bauxite build-up

KMT Aqua-Dyne water jetting equipment may be rented through the Ring Power Corporation. The same technology behind everything from marble cutting to paper cutting is also available for a variety of cleaning applications.

When shopping for auto insurance quotes, everyone’s looking for a good deal. However, before opting for the cheapest insurance quote, be sure to take into consideration the minimum requirements for auto insurance. They vary by state, but most states require the following:

• Liability coverage. This coverage is designed for accidents where you are at fault. This coverage is quoted in three numbers: bodily injury coverage for one person, bodily injury coverage for all people injured in an accident, and property damage for one accident. So if liability coverage is listed as 15/30/5, it will provide $15,000 for one person injured in an accident, $30,000 for all people injured in an accident, and $5,000 for property damage. 

• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This coverage provides for all damage done to you, your car, and any passengers by an uninsured or underinsured driver, as well as hit-and-run drivers.

• Personal injury protection. This coverage pays for your medical expenses (even if the accident occurs in someone else’s car), lost wages, and other expenses that arise as the result of an accident. Personal injury protection generally covers about 80% of your losses and may also include a death benefit.

• Comprehensive and collision insurance. If your car is leased, you may be required to purchase these two types of coverage as well. The former protects your car from almost everything except the latter.

For many drivers, the minimum requirements are not sufficient for their needs. Still, it’s good to know the requirements so that you can effectively sort through your options when applying for free insurance quotes.

When a family member has health concerns that affect his or her mobility, a medical alert can ensure loved ones that help can be reached quickly should the need arise.  A medical alert is an inconspicuous device that is worn on the body at all times. The device comes with a panic button that can be pressed should the wearer need emergency assistance. To ensure that they have around-the-clock access to assistance, wearers should test their devices frequently.

At Rescue Alert, we have a reputation for equipment that is extremely reliable. However, we encourage our clients to test their devices frequently for a few reasons. First and foremost, it is a good idea for customers to feel comfortable with calling for help using their device. After a few test runs, customers understand how the call works and what to expect from the representative who responds to the call. Secondly, every electronic device designed to protect individuals and families—whether a fire alarm, medical alarm, or other type of security system–should be tested to be sure that it is always in working order. Medical alerts are no exception.

To test the alarm on medical bracelets (or necklaces), simply press the panic button and wait for a call center representative to respond. When he or she responds, simply say that you are performing a monthly test on your device. If, for any reason, a response is not received, please notify us immediately so that we can test the device further and take any other steps to resolve the issue.

Keeping an entire family organized is almost like maintaining a business. Between everybody’s school, work, and after-school schedules, not to mention doctor appointments, grocery shopping, and other errands, it can be nearly impossible to keep everyone on the same page. In fact, according to a recent article by The Associated Press, Americans are finding the need to create an information hub in the home that encourages communication and teamwork.

Of the information hub, interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn said, “It doesn’t have to take up much room, but it does need to be planned carefully to maximize efficiency and style.” Flynn recommends choosing a single location, such as the corner of a kitchen or large room, to serve many purposes. The first purpose for the central workspace would be to provide information. This can be easily accomplished by hanging up a whiteboard or dry-erase board to write down appointments, invitations, shopping lists, and even short messages between family members. According to the article, dry erase boards save space and help keep the family organized. The interior designer offers additional ideas to make the hub more personal and visually attractive, including designating separate areas on the board for each family member. You can also purchase white boards that come with a monthly calendar already printed on the board. For that personal touch, you can custom-order a white board to feature your family name or favorite motif.

Packing for a fabulous summer vacation is the bane of every chic woman’s existence. Pack too much and you’ll feel like a mule lugging an oversized suitcase through the airport (not to mention be subject to fees for checking bags). Pack too little, however, and you’ll inevitably be dissatisfied with your clothing options once you arrive at your destination, wishing you had that one dress you left at home.

Is it possible to find middle ground when packing? Turns out, there are a few things you can do to ensure that your wardrobe is well rounded without becoming a pack mule.

• Define your color palette. Choose a base color and plan accessories around it.  Pack a few sweaters or jackets in one color family along with a few different tops—cousins, if you will—and you’ll have a whole clan of interchangeable options.
• Pack at least one dress. The occasions that call for women’s dresses are unpredictable; you never know when the opportunity to get flirty and fun will present itself. A piece that combines the sexiness of cocktail dresses with the functionality of sundresses in lighter fabrics can go from day to night and from a museum to an evening soiree without blinking.
• Opt for fabrics that don’t wrinkle easily, like knits, nylon, twill, and polyester rather than fabrics like satin or linen that will wrinkle faster than a cheat sheet in the hand of a student who’s just been caught.
• Know your numbers. The basic rule of thumb is one top for every day, one layering piece, one pair of pants or skirt for every two days, and no more than TWO pairs of shoes (we know, it hurts). Stick to basic, structured pieces that can be swapped out if a spill or accident alters your wardrobe plan. One off shoulder shirt/blouse, for example, is less versatile than two t-shirts in a flattering color.

If you do end up packing too much, don’t sweat it. Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy your trip!

Metal buildings are a quick and cost-effective way to launch or expand your operations. Whether you’re creating an aviation hangar, a retail building, or a warehouse, you will appreciate how fast and easy it is to erect a prefabricated metal building that meets your specific requirements. When designing your prefabricated metal buildings, keep in mind that you can always include guardrails and gate systems as a practical way to complete the structure. Just like metal buildings, guardrails and gate systems are cost-effective and durable, and they complement the rest of the structure. High-quality parts are created with galvanized tubing, which offers strength and corrosion protection. In addition, carbon-steel, high-frequency welded, and cold-formed products enhance the physical properties of the tubing. You can typically choose from side-mounted guardrail stanchions, as well as three-rail and seven-rail systems. There are a wide range of lift-out, swing, and sliding mezzanine gates. These are also made from the same galvanized tubing.

It’s been noted previously that trucking jobs are faring well in the recession, and recent anecdotal evidence supports this. Leon Jones of Volunteer Training Center, a state-certified career school in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, told a local news source, “This is probably one of the most recession-proof industries someone could get into at the present time.”

Not only are truck driving jobs going strong now, they’re expected to pick up in the coming months as stimulus money becomes available and boosts new construction. This will be especially good news for states on the West Coast that are suffering from high unemployment. More California truck driving jobs, for one, could be a much-needed boon for the golden state, whose 11.2% unemployment rate as of March 2009 was one of the highest in the nation.

As the number of jobs increase, diversity among drivers is increasing, too. Trucking companies are hiring both men and women of all ages, races, and educational backgrounds for truck driving jobs.

The pay for truck drivers can be favorable. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, heavy truck and tractor-trailer drivers earned a median hourly wage of $16.85 in May 2006. Light or delivery services truck drivers earned $12.17 per hour, and driver/sales workers earned $9.99 per hour.