Posts Tagged ‘product reviews’

Types of Wheel Chair Lift for Car and Their Functions

Posted on January 7th, 2010 by by Febbe Wallace

Wheel chairs have made it easier for the mobile-challenged to travel to the next block and visit with friends and neighbors. Unfortunately, though, there may be times when you need to go farther than your neighborhood. You may want to visit the countryside or make a couple of stops on the road. For the physically challenged, these sound like such a huge hassle and all too exhausting. Imagine having to have people carry you into and out of the vehicle. It would always be nice to have your independence once in while. The process is a daunting one and makes you want to stay home all day. With a wheel chair lift for car you can have all the liberty and independence you want.

Here are the two general types of wheel chair lift for car and their functions:

1. Electrical Wheel Chair Lift For Car

The electrical wheel chair lift for car can automatically raise a wheel chair to the level of the automobile you are using. You do not need to manually drive yourself over a ramp to get into your car. The electrical wheel chair lift is charged by the electrical power in your room and may also come with batteries just in case it runs out of the energy obtained from electricity. It is generally inexpensive and can be easily auctioned off when no longer in use.

2. Hydraulic Wheel Chair Lift for Car

The hydraulic wheel chair lift for car is another option. This is a great alternative to the electrical wheel chair lift. The difference between the two is that the hydraulic wheel chair lift does not operate on electricity. Rather, it needs to be refilled with fluids from time to time so it can give you maximum function.

Wheel chair lift for car now come in different models to choose from. There are those that can recline, tilt, elevate legs and seat height adjustment that is ergonomically designed for your health and safety. There are so many “specialized” wheel chair lifts for your car these days. Always ask the salesperson for the latest innovations and what is it about a lift that makes it different from the rest. Also, you will need to discuss what kind of vehicle you have so you can find the most suitable wheel chair lift for you.

A wheel chair lift for car will not function properly if it is not suitable for your vehicle. For example, if it’s not going to fit, then there was no point in buying the device in the first place. Wheel chair lifts, unlike simple ramps, need to be installed in your car, so an expert may be needed just to make sure you’ve bought the right one. Mention both the type of car you have and your wheel chair’s year, model and make.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT AIR COMPRESSOR

Posted on October 12th, 2009 by by Nick Halmond

You may or may not already be aware that not all air compressors are used for all jobs! They vary in both size and of course their power level. The best way to estimate what you will need is to take a careful look at the power requirements of any of the air tools you plan on using. Then its a simple matter of choosing one that is slightly more powerful than youll need so that you have the ability to purchase an air tool that needs a bit higher power level.

Ordinarily you will probably run across portable rotary screw compressors. There will be a dizzying assortment of choices to make. The cheap ones are just that, cheap ones, thus you should probably stay away from those, unless all you want to do is put air into your tires occasionally.

Sometimes compressors are rated by HP or horsepower. But the HP listing can be misleading. What is important is the amount of power the compressor draws. It’s not uncommon for there to be an inflated value for the HP.

You’re much better off looking at the PSI — pounds per square inch — when choosing your air compressor. 90 PSI is the rating that works with most air tools. If your compressor is listed at 125 to 135 PSI, even though it seems like it should, it’s not going to work with an air tool that requires 90 PSI. The reason for this is that PSI really measures shut off pressure, and the value doesn’t acknowledge when there is pressure lost in the line. If you want to make the most of a 90 PSI tool, consider a two-stage pressure shut off type of compressor. At 90 PSI the first stage will turn off, and the second stage will shut off at 175 PSI.

You will also need to consider CFM or “cubic feet per minute”. Most of today’s air tools need 4 to 6 CFM. This is not a problem as you’ll be getting exactly 3 to 4 horsepower at 90 PSI. What CFM tells you is basically the amount of air being moved through the system.

Tank size on a compressor may be important to you depending on how you wish to use your air compressor. If your work requires you to use it in short bursts, then the typical 30-gallon tank and a normal pump and motor is more than fine. If however, you wish to use it heavily, you would do better with a bigger tank and much stronger pump and motor, taking into consideration air that is stored in the tank.

Because of this you may see professional contractors running multiple air tools at the same time, with the knowledge that using a compressor with a rating of 150 PSI is a better choice for long-term continual use.

Unlike portable compressors, truck mounted ones use the truck to power the compressor. The problem is that you have to keep the truck running in order for the compressor to work. For the contractor who needs to have the compressor running for a long period of time, the better choice is an affordable compressor or possibly one that is mounted on a deck. Just like truck mounted compressors, deck mounted ones are set on a truck’s bed that is removable, which makes it possible to leave the compressor on-site as opposed to having to drag it back and forth for each day of consecutive work.

Also you can find compressors that are electrically and gas powered. If you think you’re going to be working on a site that does not have electricity, then go with a gas powered compressor.

Hybrid Car Comparison

Posted on August 18th, 2009 by by Anthony Galz

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) all work around the concept of using both gas and electric motors to achieve optimized fuel consumption and better mileage. However, this does not mean that all the hybrid vehicles available on the market all achieve the same mileage and use up the same amount of fuel. Here is a hybrid car comparison of some vehicles from different brand manufacturers.

2007 Prius

The Prius sells for about $23,000 give or take a few dollars. With a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that can manage 76 horsepower and an electric motor with 67 horsepower, a total electric motor assist rate would be about 110 horsepower. The Prius is a front-wheel drive, four door hatchback and is said to achieve 48 miles to the gallon in the city and 45 miles to the gallon on the highway or on longer drives.

The 2007 Camry

The Camry from Toyota is just as popular as their Prius luxury hybrid with similar features such as four-door, front-wheel drive. It does have a larger engine, a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder that can achieve 147 horsepower. Its electric motor is much weaker and achieves 40 horsepower which means that mileage and gas is sacrificed. Still, for a hybrid, it performs much better than conventional vehicles and can get about 33 miles to the gallon in both the city and on the highway.

2007 Saturn Aura Green Line

Running with a whopping 164 horsepower, the Saturn features a 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine and an electric starting assist motor. This motor basically shuts down the vehicle when it’s on standstill and then automatically restarts it when it moves again.

While this may save some gas because none is spent while it’s idle, this is not as helpful as having a real electric motor assist while the vehicle is moving. This allows for 24 miles to the gallon in the city and 32 miles per gallon on the highway; still a fraction better than a conventional gas-powered vehicle.

2007 Honda Civic Hybrid

Probably the next best thing to a Toyota Prius, the Civic hybrid is one powerful sedan that not only plays the part but looks the part as well. Sleek and luxurious, this beauty from Honda has a tiny 1.3 liter four-cylinder 8-valve engine and full electric motor support that promises 110 horsepower when both engines are in operation to make the car move. The car boasts 49 miles to the gallon on city streets and 51 miles to the gallon on the highway; now that’s competition for Toyota if they haven’t seen it yet.

Bottom line is, when it comes to hybrid cars, it’s always about the technology beneath the hood. For the best performance, you may want to choose one that uses less gas and has full electric motor support to give you the best mileage. Make sure to study your hybrid car comparison before making your hybrid choice.

To get the best hybrid car comparison information, look for the latest reviews. From there, you will be able to find the best car that suits your lifestyle.