Archive for the ‘Electrical’ Category

PostHeaderIcon Facts and History of Electrical and Electronic

ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS INDUSTRIES. The first significant application of controlled electricity in Cleveland was telegraphy, which made its appearance in the city in 1847 on the premises of the Lake Erie Telegraph Co. Fire-alarm boxes were the second useful manifestation of the “new” power in the city, and by 1865 there were 24 of them. The telephone came in 1877. Besides these communications uses, the other main areas of electric-industrial progress in the latter part of the 19th century were lighting, traction, and industrial motors, and in these areas as well, Cleveland’s technical-entrepreneurial talent was quick to perceive opportunities and act on them.

In the lighting field, CHARLES F. BRUSH was the most prominent innovator and entrepreneur of the period. His major contribution was the practical development and commercial exploitation of the arc light. Although the latter was invented in England in 1808, Brush devised its practical application by developing an improved dynamo to provide a steady current, and by making design changes in the arc fixture itself that improved the quality of the light and extended the working life of the carbon electrodes. He also redesigned the lamp’s circuit to make arc lighting possible from central stations. Brush began to sell small arc lighting systems in the late 1870s for use in stores, factories, and hotels. However, the potential of this equipment was first realized with Brush’s demonstration of its street-lighting possibilities on 29 Apr. 1879, in Cleveland’s PUBLIC SQUARE. The brilliance of the light produced by his 12 lamps caused a sensation and foretold the decline of the gas-lighting era. As a result, Brush sold central power stations to San Francisco, New York, Baltimore, Boston, and Philadelphia. In 1880 Brush bought the Cleveland Telegraph Supply Co., where he had done the developmental work, and renamed it the Brush Electric Co. The battle between electric and gas lighting lasted some 30 years, and although advances were made in gas-lighting technology, electricity won out. During that time, CLEVELAND CITY COUNCIL, viewing comparative costs, voted to go back to gas light in 1883 but reversed itself 17 days later. About the time that Brush was developing his arc light, Thomas Edison designed a practical incandescent lamp which later had great significance for Cleveland, because the companies that formed the National Electric Lamp Assn. in 1906 centered much of their light-bulb production in this area. When NELA became the National Quality Lamp Division of GENERAL ELECTRIC CO., it established NELA PARK in the SUBURBS. The division took the leading role in GE’s incandescent lighting development program from 1915 until 1935, when fluorescent lighting research became prominent.

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PostHeaderIcon Buy Electric Rc Airplanes

Electric remote control airplanes are best for beginners.

The power of RC electric flight is amazing, not to mention much easier to own and operate :) With glow engines there is the problem of maintaining them and making sure they are up to snuff.

Over my years as an RC pilot, I have found that beginners and advanced pilots both seem to like electric RC airplanes, so it is a great idea to buy one as your first airplane.

Simple electric RC airplanes, like the Sky Vector shown below, are great because they are very easy to fly, and you really only have too master two controls. One control being the speed and the other being the direction you want to move in.

One of the best things about airplanes like the Sky Vector though, is the fact that they can be ready to fly within 15 minutes of opening the box! Basically, it is a no hassle approach to flying RC airplanes, which is what most beginners like and need.

Electric RC trainer airplanes are also available for people who want to actually train with electric airplanes, because that is all they intend to fly.

Electric RC Airplanes

Electric remote control airplanes are best for beginners.

The power of RC electric flight is amazing, not to mention much easier to own and operate :) With glow engines there is the problem of maintaining them and making sure they are up to snuff.

Over my years as an RC pilot, I have found that beginners and advanced pilots both seem to like electric RC airplanes, so it is a great idea to buy one as your first airplane.

Simple electric RC airplanes, like the Sky Vector shown below, are great because they are very easy to fly, and you really only have too master two controls. One control being the speed and the other being the direction you want to move in.

One of the best things about airplanes like the Sky Vector though, is the fact that they can be ready to fly within 15 minutes of opening the box! Basically, it is a no hassle approach to flying RC airplanes, which is what most beginners like and need.

Electric RC trainer airplanes are also available for people who want to actually train with electric airplanes, because that is all they intend to fly.

View more Electric RC Airplanes

Important Electric RC Airplanes Reminders

There are many types of electric rc planes you can choose from. There is your regular electric rc airplane, then there are park flyers and slow flyers and some rc jets that are powered electrically. Park and Slow flyers are great for some fun flights in your back yard, or any local park. Electric r/c jets are very fast and fun to fly too. Follow those links to learn more about them.

Before a beginner decides to purchase an electric rc plane, you should keep these two things in mind:

1. Wings should be high up on fuselage

2. Should be an electric trainer that is RTF or ARF

Having the wing high up on the fuselage creates more stability, and RTF’s/ARF’s are easy to put together and start flying.

Below is a list of equipment that every beginner should have to make there electric rc plane work properly. A RTF and ARF kit usually includes everything needed with your purchase. Just go through the list to make sure you have it all.

airplane kit

electric motor and speed controller (maybe propeller too)

battery pack and appropriate charger

radio transmitter (AA or AAA batteries) and receiver

Just a reminder, always look for “not included”, and be sure to purchase what is not.

Why Choose Electric RC Planes?

Electric rc airplanes are easy to use, simply charge the battery and fly. Flight time can be anywhere between 10 to 30 minutes per charge. Buy an extra battery pack and fly for over an hour!

Electric powered rc airplanes are quiet, allowing you to play without neighbors complaining about the noise.

Electric rc airplanes are less complicated than gas models, best for beginners.

There are many ups and downs to electric rc planes. Let’s look at them now.

Electric RC Plane Pro’s Electric RC Plane Con’s

quite

cheaper

environmentally friendly

easy to fly

easy to fix and replace parts

slow (some exceptions)

short flight times

not realistic looking or sounding

Basically, if you are looking for just some quick little flights every once in awhile, then electric r/c airplanes are perfect for you. If you want to get into faster more advanced airplanes, then I suggest you check out gas and jet rc airplanes.

Equipment for Electric RC Airplanes

Electric RC airplanes just need the following:

rc airplane kit

electric motor

battery pack for electric motor

charger for the battery pack

radio control system

12 AA sized batteries for the radio control system

The best part is that most ready to fly rtf rc airplanes come complete with all these items. Just charge the battery, find a clear field, and fly!

Cheap Models

There are cheap rc airplanes for sale that costs only $49.99. There are also great beginner and ready to fly models that cost anywhere from $69 – $342 USD.

Click here for a list of cheap rc airplanes sorted according to sale price.

Brands

Manufacturers such as Hobby Zone, Megatech, Vortex, Hobbico, and Nikko sell ready to fly rtr electric powered rc airplanes.

Click here for a list of electric rc airplanes sorted according to brand.

What Model to Buy?

For beginners who want to fly immediately, I suggest buying ready to fly rtf electric rc airplanes. RTF a cheap rc airplane that come complete with all needed equipment.

Electric Motors

Electric rc airplanes operate on a electric motor and it is powered by a battery pack. Electric motors are nothing fancy, and are cheaper then glow engines. So far my experience with electric motors has been great. I don’t think you will have any problems either, as long as you take care of your electric motor and try not to crash.

Let’s Start Flying!

Any beginner can fly electric RTF and ARF rc airplanes. If you want to learn to fly your plane, I suggest you buy a good rc airplane book and practice flying your electric airplane. Since there slower and cheaper then gas rc airplanes, it’s okay if you make some mistakes. If you still think you might need help flying your rc airplane, then visit my learn to fly page.

First, you need to focus on choosing the right airplane. Before you start spending money, ask yourself these questions:

much do you want to spend?

How fast do you want your airplane to go?

How far do you want it to go?

Do you want a scale model (realistic model) or a non-scale model?

After you have answered those questions above, you can start looking for the right plane.

What else will you need?

I think every rc airplane pilot should have a field box. There great for fixing some problems you might have out in the flying field. If you want to have a longer flying time with electric planes, you might want to think about buying an extra battery. For even longer flying times, you could buy a car charger for your rc airplane battery. This way one can charge why you use the other. Check out my parts and accessory pages to find these items.

Something every beginner should consider buying is a good book or subscribing to an electric rc airplanes magazine.

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PostHeaderIcon Electric Car Questions and Answers

I own a problem near my car’s electrics. Can you serve?
I am trying to sell my car but have a problem that desires sorting before I do.When the windscreen wipers are on and move to the top of their action (i.e. pointing skywards) the engine cuts out for a fraction of…

R/C Car….Electric or Nitro?
Okay, So I’ve been out of the hobby for about 3 years now….I’m looking to grasp back into it. I used to have a Traxxas Rustler w/ many Hop-Ups….It be pretty quick and I was going to go brushless right since…

An electric vehicle have four battery whose total volume is expressed as v=8wh+5wh+4w^2h. Factor the right side?
An electric car has four batteries whose total volume is expressed as v=8wh+5wh+4w^2h. Factor the right side of this formula v = 8wh + 5wh + 4w^2hThis is kinda a impossible volume formula that the problem gives you (it…

Watch ‘Who Killed the Electric Car” on YouTube (9 parts). It’s an eye introduction.?
I was very surprised when I watched this. It posed some terrifically interesting questions on why we don’t have some of the alternate vehicles we should own. While there are vast amounts of propaganda on both sides of this…

What happen to the Electric Car?
I know they exist, I’ve actually seen one a few years ago, so where are the Electric Cars. Oil is a finite resource, but at hand are at least a half-dozen ways to produce electricity. Over 50 million Americans have commutes…

Why Are Electric Cars Always So Weird Looking…?
Since the power source is so feeble they have to be very desk light and aerodynamic, with big wheels to reduce rolling resistance. They also must enjoy a heavy-duty suspension to deal with the weight of the battery. The…
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PostHeaderIcon Lower Texas Electric Price Before Big Summer Demand

The spring season is a great time for small business and residential customers to take charge of their Texas electricity costs.

Have you ever changed your cell phone rate plan? If you are like most people, the answer is yes. But the funny thing is – More than half of Texas consumers have not taken advantage of competitive electricity prices made available through deregulation and they continue to be served by their incumbent utilities. That’s like staying on the same cell phone rate plan from the day you got your first cell phone. It simply doesn’t make sense.

The Texas deregulated energy marketplace enables customers to more easily and confidently evaluate options for selecting a new Retail Electric Provider (REP) based on lower rates, the use of “greener” power sources, different contract lengths or other offers. For consumers, switching is free and without risk. If consumers see an attractive offer they want to accept, they can make the switch to a new REP without worrying about a loss of power or change in customer service levels. The wires company that maintains their wires and delivers the electricity to the home will continue to be the same company – the only thing that changes is who sends you a bill.

Just as the Internet has made it easier for people to compare mortgages, travel rates and other services, ChooseEnergy.com has developed a compare and buy site that offers a trusted and objective comparison of available Texas electricity providers for residential and small commercial customers. Plus, the spring season is a great time to lock in a lower Texas electricity rate. Texas electricity prices usually track with natural gas costs, and natural gas is traditionally lower in shoulder months during the fall and spring season, before consumer demand increases during the hot summer Texas heat.

Each deregulated area of Texas has more than 10 retail providers, including several incumbent utilities to choose from. Customers should shop around to find the best rate and best plan for their home or business. Some people may feel more comfortable with a shorter term, while others may want the insurance of a fixed rate for a longer period of time and want to sign up for a long-term plan. Either way, consumers in deregulated areas should get to know their options and select a plan that fits their needs.

Just like cell phone providers – like AT&T or Sprint – Retail electric providers bid on customers’ electricity business and may personalize their bids to each customer or modify their offers and terms as often as they wish. For instance, electricity retailers may offer exceptionally competitive rates tied to longer term contracts to attract customers in a targeted geographic area or offer a renewable energy product for the same price as you are currently paying. The number of retail electricity providers has steadily increased since deregulation began in 2002 so you will need to do some homework to find the plan that suits your needs the best.

Just as you change your cell phone rate plan, with deregulation in the Texas electric market, you need to do the same with your electric bill. Shop around and lower your rate before the summer heat forces you to use more electricity and your electric bill gets out of hand.

Jerry Dyess is the General Manager of ChooseEnergy.com (www.ChooseEnergy.com) – Choose Energy is a neutral service that compares offers from the best Texas energy providers to help residential and small business customers choose the best energy plan for their home or business. Residential and business customers now have a simple way to compare offers made by different Texas electricity companies and switch to their choice of preferred provider in just a few clicks. Choose Energy gives consumers the power to save money on electricity while making educated choices based on accurate, up-to-date, comparable information.

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PostHeaderIcon Fall Into Lower Electric Bills – the Fall Season is a Perfect Time to Lock in a Lower Electric Rate

As a full-time energy analyst and business owner (www.ChooseEnergy.com), people always ask me – when is it a good time to lock in an electric rate?  Well, you can “fall” into lower electric rates if you lock in during the fall months.  There are peeks and valleys (head and shoulder) months in regards to energy prices.  Electric rates track closely with natural gas prices and historically the months during the fall are valleys or shoulder months which makes for a good curve when trying to determine when to lock in your electric rate.

So what should you do?  There still seems to be a premium on pricing out in 2012 and 2013 so I would recommend signing either a 12 or 24 month contract at the present time. This is where the rates are most attractive and the best time to end your contract during these same shoulder months so you can renegotiate during the low season.

Just as the Internet has made it easier for people to compare mortgages, travel rates and other services, ChooseEnergy.com has developed a compare and buy site that offers a trusted and objective comparison of available Texas electricity providers for residential and small commercial customers.  Not only do we select the providers that participate on our site, but we also show their most attractive rate plans for your home or business.  Plus, as I mentioned the fall season is a great time to lock in a lower Texas electricity rate.  Electricity prices usually track with natural gas costs, and natural gas is traditionally lower in shoulder months during the fall and spring season, before consumer demand increases during the cold winter months when consumers are using more natural gas.

As I mentioned in a previous post – just like cell phone providers – like AT&T or Sprint – Retail electric providers bid on customers’ electricity business.  These providers can also personalize their bids to each customer or modify their offers and terms as often as they wish.   For instance, electricity retailers may offer exceptionally competitive rates tied to longer term contracts (but we recommend not signing longer than 36 months at the present time) to attract customers in a targeted geographic area or offer a renewable energy product, like energy produced from wind, for the same price as you are currently paying.

It certainly pays to not only get the right offering that fits your home or business needs, but also getting that offering at the right time.  So do some shopping for your home or business during this holiday season and take advantage of fall electric rates.

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