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Working of an HVAC System

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HVAC is meant for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. The goal of HVAC is to control the temperature of air inside the assigned “Air conditioned” space as well as control of moisture, filtration of air and supply of outside natural air for control of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels noticeable all around the conditioned space, main control of the development of air or drought. Every one of these elements comprises an efficient HVAC system.

Main Parts of the HVAC

Every HVAC system mainly consists of the furnace, heat exchanger, evaporator coil, condensing unit, refrigerant tubes, thermostat, ductwork, vents and the heat pump.

Importance and duty of each part of the HVAC are mentioned below.

1. The furnace: The furnace takes up a maximum share of the space in an HVAC system. It is generally present in the basement behind a door that nobody ever opens, yet it’s a major part of an HVAC system. Its function is to move air from the heat exchanger into the air channels(ducts). The furnace is typically confounded with boilers, yet they’re separate parts.

2. The heat exchanger: This part is mentioned above but it’s not the part of the furnace. It’s situated inside the furnace, yet the heat exchanger has its own duty. It adds heat to the approaching air from the ignition chamber.

3. The evaporator coil: This part is additionally present in the furnace, yet is responsible for an absolutely different job. A refrigerant (a liquid that causes cooling) travels through the evaporator coil, which ingests heat from air passing over it.

4. condensing unit: The condensing unit resembles the evaporator coil. Inside the cube shape formed unit, the condensing unit too exchanges heat with the air that is blowing it, yet dissimilar to the evaporating coil, it emits heat.

5. The refrigerant tubes.: These metallic tubes interface the evaporator curl with the condensing coil, which generally means that the refrigerant tubes join the inner and outer air HVAC units. They’re intended to contain cooling refrigerant under an extensive range of temperatures.

6. The thermostat: This small portion generally on the wall on the main level of the home, and, depends upon what temperature you set it at, you can turn on your air conditioning or heating system. It’s best to have a programmable or “smart” thermostat to adjust your home’s temperature regardless of the possibility that you’re not there, which implies that you can minimise your energy bill.

7. The ductwork: The air ducts are having the duty of moving air all through the home. Air comes into an HVAC system through specific segments of the ductwork and is spread to rooms through different areas.

8. The vents: As the air goes through the ductwork, it enters into the room through vents. Users know about the rectangular covers that immediate and take air.

9. The heat pump: In hotter months, the heat pump takes heat from house or room to the outside. And in the colder months, it does the inverse.

All the HVAC systems consist of the parts mentioned above, and each of the mentioned components relies on the others to function in the proper manner and efficient way.

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Source by Ankur Choudhary

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A Quick Guide on How to Refrigerate Food and Keep It Fresh

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Every household has a stock of food staples that are often purchased at the beginning of the month while the perishable food such as the vegetables, dairy products, fruits and meat are purchased in a limited quantity that can be used up within a few days. These products have limited but increased longevity when stored in the refrigerator.

The role of a refrigerator is something that a lot of people ignore and take it for granted. If the refrigerator is not maintained well, the consumers often end up witnessing food damage due to bad or dysfunctional parts in the fridge. Here are some factors listed down for you that determine why there is a difference in food quality when stored in the fridge.

The Time It Has Been in the Market

People are often known to keep a tab on the days that the food has been in the fridge and can decide its goodness accordingly. What they forget is that perishable food comes to the store first and then they get to buy it. Whenever you buy products such as bread, dairy, or processed meat, there is the need to check on the date of manufacturing and accordingly purchase. If it has been in the store for long enough, it won’t stay in good condition once you take it home and expect it to stay fresh thereafter.

The Type of Food That You Intend to Store

When you store food such as meat or dairy products such as milk or probably cheese, you will notice that meat stays longer than that of dairy products. The latter lasts for as much as five days while later going wrong and being unfit for use. You could try storing it in airtight containers and at the back of the shelves where it is a bit more colder. When it comes to the food becoming bad in a day or two, it can also be due to dysfunctional parts of the refrigerator that may need immediate attention from your end.

The Age of the Fridge

There are times when an ill-maintained refrigerator or probably something that has been there for a very long time doesn’t provide enough cooling and protection to the foods that are stored. When that is the case, you get to witness frequent damage to the food that you store no matter what it is. Such problems aren’t with the food but the appliance as a whole where either there is a damaged or dysfunctional part or the need to change the fridge just because it has been there serving you for a long time with it being unable to perform its functions just as it did earlier.

The Way You Store Your Food

Storing warm food in the refrigerator allows it to consume more energy to maintain the temperature and so it is always advised to store food once it is cold. This is also known to decrease the longevity of the fridge while deteriorating in quality with each passing day. Keeping foods covered also saves up on it staying fresh for long.

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Source by Mathew Rogers

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Common Methods of Processing and Preserving Food

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Food processing is a way or technique implemented to convert raw food stuff into well-cooked and well preserved eatables for both the humans and the animals. All these methods are used by food processing industry to give out processed or preserved foods for our daily consumption. Best quality harvested, slaughtered and butchered and clean constituents are used by food processing industry to manufacture very nutritious and easy to cook food products. Following are some techniques and methods used to convert food into processed or preserved food.

Preservation process: this includes heating or boiling to destroy micro-organisms, oxidation, toxic inhibition, dehydration or drying, osmotic inhibition, freezing, a sort of cold pasteurization which destroys pathogens and various combinations of all these methods.

Drying: this is probably the most ancient method used by humans to preserve or process their food. Drying reduces the water content in the product and lack of water delays the bacterial growth very much. Drying is the most common technique to preserve or process cereal grains like wheat, maize, oats, rice, barley, grams and rye etc.

Smoking: many foods such as meat, fish and others are processed, preserved and flavored by the use of smoke mostly in big smoke houses. This process is very simple as the combination of smoke to preserved food without actually cooking it and the aroma of hydro-carbons generated from the smoke processes the food and makes it even tastier to eat.

Freezing: probably, it is the most common technique used in modern world to preserve or process the food both on commercial and domestic basis. This freezing is conducted in big cold storages which can stockpile huge amount of food stuffs which can be further used in some natural emergencies. A very big range of products can be frozen to preserve and process which includes some which do not need freezing when are in their natural condition. For example potato chips and potato wafers requires freezing whereas a potato does not.

Vacuum packs: in this method, food is packed in airtight bags and bottles in a vacuum area. This method is used in processing the food as the air-tight environment doesn’t provide oxygen needed by germs especially bacteria to survive. This then, prevents food from getting rotted. This method is very commonly used for preserving processed nuts.

Salting: the method of salting is used in food processing as it sucks out the moisture from the food. This is done through the process of osmosis. Meat is the best example of the food processed by salting as nitrates are used very frequently to treat meat.

Sugaring: the method of using sugar to preserve or process food is very frequent where it comes to preserve fruits. In this method fruits such as apples, peaches and plums are cooked with sugar until they are crystallized and then it is stored dry. Now days, sugar is also used in combination of alcohol to make some branded alcohol and spirits.

Pickling: in this method of preserving or processing food, food is cooked in chemicals and materials which destroy micro-organisms. This is very strictly kept in mind that these chemicals or materials are fit to eat for humans. Normally, these include brine, vinegar, ethanol, vegetable oil and many other types of oils. Pickling is very commonly seen in vegetables such as cabbage and peppers. Corned beef and eggs are the non vegetarian eatables that are pickled.

These are some very common methods of preserving or processing food. These all will work only when processing and preserving is done under very strict rules and regulation set by the governments.

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Source by Dagur Jonsson

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Repair or Replace: How to Decide If You Need a New Refrigerator

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If your refrigerator is acting up, should you call it quits and purchase a brand new unit or see if you can have it repaired? There are many things that affect the decision to repair or replace. Many of these depend on whether or not the repair would exceed the cost of a similar model.

Your refrigerator is a key part of your kitchen and household. Under normal circumstances, refrigerators typically don’t give the owner too much trouble and can last for years. But even the best models can break down. To decide whether you should buy a new fridge or repair your old one, check out these important factors:

Age

Your refrigerator can last anywhere from 11 to 15 years. Of course, this number is based on the brand, usage, and maintenance. Although many consumers choose to upgrade their appliance early due to changes in style and technology, you can expect your refrigerator to last within this time range. Some refrigerators can even last 20 years. Keep in mind the longer you own your refrigerator, the more expensive the repairs will be if something goes wrong.

Is the unit between 8-15 years? Weigh the price of repairs against the cost of a new fridge. If the refrigerator is more than 15 years old, it’s time to replace.

Type

The type of refrigerator plays a major role in whether or not it should be replaced. Units with a built in ice maker are more than twice as likely to need repairs compared to a top or bottom-freezer model without the ice maker.

Built-in refrigerators are typically less expensive to repair so unless there is critical damage, it’s worth calling a technician. Side-by-sides should be repaired within five years of purchasing and a replacement unit should be considered after. Bottom-freezers should be repaired seven years after purchase. After this time period, consider a replacement.

Energy Efficient

Even if your refrigerator is operating correctly, it can still be a costly appliance in terms of energy use. According to Energy Star, “more than 60 million refrigerators are over 10 years old, costing consumers $4.4 billion a year in energy costs.”

If your unit is an older model, keep an eye out new, more energy-efficient refrigerators. Many appliance stores offer rebates and sales, and buying a new fridge before your old one goes out can save you time and stress.

The Big Picture

While there are several deciding factors when determining whether you should repair or replace your refrigerator, use your best judgment. If you have a variety of bad parts or if the unit is old, then it will be more productive to replace. If you are getting rid of your old refrigerator, make sure to recycle it properly. Call your city or municipal waste management services. Many areas offer appliance recycle programs and pick up.

However, if your unit is newer and has a warranty or service plan, it is best to call a refrigerator technician to take a look. If it is too close to call, contact an appliance repair company for a written estimate to compare the cost of buying new or repairing.

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Source by Marika Betker

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How to Naturally Increase Erection Size on a Raw Food Diet

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What is the best way to increase erection size without pumps or products? Are there any legitimate ways to increase, enhance and improve blood flow to and through the male anatomy when erect? Can diet, or lifestyle affect penis size… and IF so, HOW so? Any of these questions sound familiar?

If you are anything like the tens of thousands of men who struggle with issues of erection size and self esteem during sex, this article was written with YOU in mind!

Curious to know more? Continue reading as we take a closer look at some of the best ways to increase your erection size, without drugs, danger or doing anything wild or weird.

The best NATURAL way to improve erection size?

Very simply, your diet. What you eat has a very powerful and profound effect on your sexual performance, and believe it or not… on your SIZE as well. The truth is, erection size is modulated mostly by the amount of blood flow to and through the corposa cavernosa, and no matter how much you may read that says differently elsewhere, if you aren’t getting an appropriate amount of blood… your erection strength, length and power will suffer for sure.

The biggest enemy to driving blood flow to the male anatomy?

Lifestyle choices. Or more specifically, POOR lifestyle choices that compromise the quality of your body’s inherit ability to perform at an optimum level. (both sexually, and of course… in all others areas of physical, emotional and mental health as well, ALL of which that play a part in your ability to maximize your manhood in bed)

For example?

Smoking and alcohol are 2 lifestyle choices that are highly associated with sex. Unfortunately, for men, both of those habits constrict the blood vessels, decrease the amount of oxygen to the blood stream, and ultimately, restrict the amount of blood that can travel to and through the corposa cavernosa, by as much as 50% or more.

Habitually… and in combination with a poor diet?

Both can lead to significant size shrinkage, poor sexual performance, PE, (premature ejaculation) ED (erectile dysfunction) and quite simply, being BAD in bed to boot!

Categorized: Do it with Diet

The BEST way to reintroduce highly ozegnated blood back into the blood stream that can reverse the poor performance above?

A raw food diet is a great place to begin. Foods high in anthocynanins, anti oxidants and phytonutrients can not only hyper oxygenate your blood, but they open UP your blood vessels, and force more fluid to flow to and through the extremities as well. (all leading to longer and stronger erections, and MUCH better sex to boot!)

Foods that are specifically HIGH on the list of “Do’s”?

  • Spinach and Broccoli
  • Blueberries, Bilberries, Blackberries and ALL red, purple or deeply colored fruits
  • Salmon, sardines and all oily fish high in Omega 3 fatty acids (not a “Raw” food, but a super food that IS good to introduce into your diet if you are struggling with maintaining an erection)
  • Resveratrol supplementation (or small amounts of red wine prior to sex)
  • Sprouted seeds and nuts

The truth is, any food that is compromised mostly of water is going to have by default, high levels of hydrogen and oxygen, and are going to have a dramatically POSITIVE effect on your bodies ability to fill up dense spongy tissue and maximize muscle growth.

The BEST approach if you feel insecure about erection size relative to your partners expectation level?

  1. Avoiding highly processed foods, sugar, refined starches and eat ALL natural, whenever possible.
  2. Include a wide variety of male enhancement exercises, including jelling, pc lifts, Kegel exercises and other movements to improve blood flow to and through the erogenous zones.

Lastly, be patient!

Give yourself a bit of time before you expect radical improvements or expect to notice a dramatic difference. It can take a few weeks to notice changes this significant, but when you DO (and you will!) the payoff is more than worth the wait, I promise!

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Source by Anthony J. Rigliosi

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Marine Refrigeration

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How does Marine refrigeration work? The major parts of a DC refrigeration system include the refrigerant, a compressor, and a condenser, a cooling system for condenser, and a plate or plates inside the refrigeration box.

The compressor is part of a closed loop pumping refrigerant through the system and through the evaporator plate in the ice box. The compressor has two sides the High side or discharge side. The discharge side pumps refrigerant under pressure to the condenser. The suction side or low side and sucks refrigerant after it passes through the evaporator plate back to the compressor. The cold plates in the fridge space have either expansion valves or capillary tube that separate the low and high pressure sides of the refrigeration system.

The refrigerant in the compressor starts as a gas. The compressor compresses the refrigerant gas, from low pressure to high pressure between 100-150 psi. When the pressure is increased like this its temperature rises dramatically. This hot high pressure refrigerant is then fed to a condenser, where it is cooled and turned into a liquid. The condenser is cooled by either air or water. The refrigerant is now a cool high pressure liquid and is fed to an evaporator plate inside the boats refrigerator box.

The evaporator plate takes the refrigerant from the condenser and here it boils rapidly & evaporates back to a gas, at a very low temperature. This change of state absorbs vast amounts of sensible heat from the evaporator which in turn removes heat from the insulated refrigeration box, thereby lowering its temperature. The BTU is the measurement of heat removed. From the evaporator plate the refrigerant is returned to the low side of the compressor, to start the process again.

Evaporator or Holding Plates

Marine refrigeration systems use either an evaporator plate or a holding plate in the boats refrigeration space or freezer space. Each type of plate works differently in drawing heat from the boats refrigerator and ice box space.

Marine Evaporator

Marine evaporator are just like the ones found in household refrigerators. They can get quite cold (thermostat setting) and many evaporators have the ability to make ice next to the evaporator plate or inside the evaporator box. Evaporators come in several shapes and sizes; they can be horizontal plate’s, vertical plates and rolled plates. Evaporators are constant cycling, or short cycle. Most use a Danfoss marine compressor with H134 refrigerant.

Thermostat controlled evaporator temperature. Turn to lower ice box temperature. Evaporator plates are less expensive, but need Constant power supply.

Marine Holding plates

Marine Refrigerator Holding Plates act like large blocks of ice and the cold temperature of the holding plate sucks heat out of the boats refrigeration box. Holding plates can keep ice boxes cold for long periods.

The main advantage of a holding plate over an evaporator is that they only need to be recharged 1 or 2 times per day. This charging can coincide with attaching to shore power, running the engine and so the refrigerator does not rely on the battery bank. When incorporated into a properly designed system, holdover plates can significantly reduce energy consumption. However DC holding plates are also possible. The holding plate is filled with a solution that has a freezing point below 23 degrees F. As the compressor runs, the refrigerant passes through the holding Plates coil, freezing the holding plate solution. The compressor turns of and as the holding plate thaws out, heat is removed from the box.

Powering the Compressor

The power supply to the compressor is one of the key elements of the boats refrigeration system. Refrigeration is one of the largest energy consumers onboard, so the power supply is an important element of the system. Power supplies to marine refrigeration systems include AC, DC, Shore Power, Engine power, and hybrid systems. Hybrids are combinations of say 12 volt and engine drive, or engine and shore power. The whole point in looking at power supply to your boats refrigerator is to couple it into onboard power requirements for all your boats marine systems. If you run a generator much of the time then adding on an AC refrigeration unit may make sense, but unless you do, you would be better at looking at 12 V, engine or shore power.

Power can be decided on how you use your boat. Are you tied up at a dock for much of the time and take days trips. Or do you cruise and spend large amounts of time at anchor. Finally are you Power boating or Sailing will also influence power supply. Sailing means no charging of batteries or power from the engine. Here a solar panel or wind or towed generator can help replenish batteries. If you spend time at the dock, a DC system has plenty of time to recharge on shore power. If you spend time motoring and at the dock and engine drive with shore assist works well.

AC 110 volt marine refrigeration

These drop in refrigerators are like the one in your home and are commonly seen on larger boats with an abundance of AC power and space. The AC powers the marine compressor, and the condenser is typically air cooled. A reliable AC supply is needed in the form of a generator.

DC marine refrigeration with Evaporator plate

One of the cheapest marine refrigeration system and easiest to install is the 12 v or DC system. Air cooling is the simplest. The DC system combined with an evaporator plate that is thermostatically controlled gives flexibility over cooling requirements. Many 12 volt systems use the Danfoss compressor. With the increased efficiency of the Danfoss compressor, DC refrigeration onboard is getting more efficient, but is still power hungry.

For most boats with a small box, a single 12V compressor, air-cooled condenser, with evaporator type plate will be about the cheapest option. The Adler Barbour Cold Machine has been around for around 25 years and provides great refrigeration for small to medium size ice boxes.

Shore powered marine refrigeration

Shore powered systems are made to maintain the boat’s ice box at set temperature when the boat is at the dock. They offer less power than direct from an engine drive but since you will be at the dock for a while that is not an issue.

If you use a holding plate and shore powered system you can keep the plate cool while away from the dock for 12 hours or so.

Engine powered marine refrigeration

The idea behind an engine driven compressor system is that the engine gets used anyway for at lest an hour or so. If you are Power boating this makes sense, if you are sailing calculate how much time you use the engine.

If this is the case an engine drive with a holding plate can draw down the ice box in a short period and after that it can be left for 12 plus hours.

The compressor is run directly off the engine. Belt driven or direct compressor, There are two plates and you can add more, plus add a separate freezer unit. This creates power and fast cooling of the holding plate. More power than a 110 volt system. Larger systems and multiple plates are possible. Engine driven systems cost more and also involve a labor higher cost

Condenser Cooling

The marine refrigeration systems condenser needs cooling. This is how the refrigerant gets cooled and turned into a liquid. There are 3 ways to cool the condenser;

Air Cooled

Air cooling simplifies installation plus it does not rely on water or adding through hulls. It is therefore the cheapest installation. For smaller units air cooling is OK, say 4 cu ft or under 6 cu ft you will get adequate performance. The air cooling unit needs a sufficient supply of re-circulated air for it to work. Ducting and space around the unit will help this.

When you cool by air flow you remove heat from the condenser and add it to the ambient temperature. The temperature inside of the cabin only has enough capacity to disperse this heat.

Water cooled Condenser

Water cooled compressors will work better in higher ambient temperatures and are more efficient and can be 30% more efficient. Water cooling may be best and is better for larger installs especially if freezer is concerned. Water cooling needs a through hull and a pump to get the water to the condenser. The most efficient way to cool the condenser

Keel cooler Condenser

The keel cooler or keel condenser requires no through hull fitting and will not be subject to clogging. The keel cooler is a 3″ x 7″ bronze plate that mounts on the outside of the hull and it is the condenser heat exchanger. The bronze plates are connected direct to the compressor which is the only moving part in the system. The Keel Cooler is for a box up to a 15 cu ft refrigerator or 5 cu ft freezer. Since all the heat is passed into the water outside the boat it will does not heat up the interior. Since it works without a water pump there is never a pump or strainer to maintain and best of all it is nearly silent in operation.

Refrigeration Compressor & plate Combination

Before we pick a size of marine refrigerator we need to understand what factors are involved in keeping the refrigeration box cool. They are mainly box size, insulation and cooling water temperature, number of people aboard and the temperature you are setting the plates for.

Refrigerator Box Volume

This is obvious, the larger the box the more heat removal is necessary. A larger box will need more BTUs of heat removal. After this basic size issue we have things like, Front opening or top opening. Front opening lets cold air out quickly but does allow you to get to the bottom of the box. Drains, if you had a drain for you ice box plug it. You will not need to drain water out of the ice box and this will only let cold air out and heat in. Gaskets, are a must. A trick to identify if there are gaps in the gasket is to put a piece of paper in between the lid or door and the cabinet and close it. Pull on the paper and you should feel some drag if the gaskets are sealing properly. It comes out easily there is a gap. Get new or better gasket material.

Insulation

Typical insulation to a fridge or freezer is foam insulation like Dow Blue board. The recommendation is for 3-4 inches for refrigeration and 4-6 inches for freezer for medium sized boxes. Foam has an R value of 5 per inch thickness, R being a thermal unit. This means in terms of thermal units 3-4 inches represents 15-20R value for the refrigeration unit, and 20-30 for the freezer.

There are manufacturers of vacuum panel thermal insulation. The Glacier bay Barrier Ultra-R super-insulation at R-50 per inch provides lots of insulation without taking up valuable volume. These panels are vacuum panels and are sealed to work. It is very important that you do not drill through or puncture these panels. These panels are custom made, so you would need to provide the manufacturer, exact sizes with locations for copper plate tubes to enter the box. These are built into the panels.

Water temperature

In the tropics water temperature is a lot warmer than northern climates. For every degree water temperature increases a corresponding 2 % increase in required BTU. If you are in the Atlantic portions of the east coast US, you have some cool sea water temps, but of you then cruise down to the Caribbean you may strain your refrigeration system.

Plate Thermostat

The evaporator plate temperature is set by the thermostat. Dial the box temperature down and the system will have to work harder.

Number of people aboard

More people means the box gets opened more and the heat build up from more people adds to the ambient temperature.

How big a Refrigeration System?

To calculate how big a refrigeration or marine freezing unit required, you will need to start with an estimation of the BTU requirements of the box. A simple rule of thumb for estimating the BTUs is based on the box volume.

These BTU estimations are based on these assumptions;

– Insulation has an R value of 30 no leaks.

– Water temperatures are tropical in the mid 80s F.

– 2 people aboard, for each extra person add an additional 1,000 daily BTU

– Top opening box, for a front opening door add 15 BTU/inch of door

BTU estimate on refrigeration volume;

Refrigerator daily heat load; 600 BTU per cu. ft.

Freezer daily heat load; 1200 BTU per cu. ft

Lets look at how this works for the 4 cu ft refrigeration system, using the above formula

4 cu. ft. times 600 = 2,400 BTU.

Two additional people on board = 2,000 BTU.

Total required per day = 4,400 BTU

Choosing 12 volt unit with Evaporator

Match this number to the compressor capabilities, and then calculate amps needed to power the system, and then work on the battery bank capability. Start by using the 4,400 BTU form the above example. The Adler Barbour Cold Machine uses the Danfoss BD50 Compressor is rated at 650BTU / hr based on 25F evaporator temp.

This is well above the 4,400/day we need for the 4 cu ft fridge, using only about 1/3 of the power. We could easily go down the Danfoss DB35.

Amps

To calculate how many amps the system will draw we start by converting BTUs to amps with this formula, using an assumption of 5 BTUs per watt hr of energy used. BTU/5/volts. so say we have 4400 BTUS and 12 volts, 4,400/5/12=74 amp hours/day.

Battery Bank

The Amps needed to power the compressor should be 1/4 of the capacity of the house bank. So for the above 74 amp hours needed multiply by 4 to get recommended house battery capacity = 296 amp hrs.

Conclusion

These days being on the water means keeping food and drinks cold. 12 volt refrigeration units are becoming more popular with technological advances. Greater compressor efficiency and evaporator technology brings 12 volt cooling to the smallest of boats.

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Source by Mike Hobson

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Freezer Cooking Benefits For Homeschoolers

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Some people might think that the work of freezer cooking outweighs the benefits, but the truth is that there are some very good reasons to use freezer cooking. If you use the time you are already in the kitchen to prepare your freezer meals, you will wonder why you haven’t done more freezer cooking.

Here are some benefits of freezer cooking:

1. Less dishes – the day that you make the frozen meal you just have bigger pots to wash, not any more dishes in number. Then the day that you eat the freezer meal, the only dishes you have are the serving dish, plates and silverware. How easy is that?

2. Less stress – Being able to come home and know that a meal is almost prepared for you can really reduce mealtime stress. If you are having guests, you are able to enjoy your guests more because you are not spending a bunch of time and stress in the kitchen preparing the meal.

3. Save money – Buying food in bulk has always been cheaper than buying it in individual quantities. You can even bargain with your meat manager if they know you will be buying in larger quantities. Freezer cooking also causes you to be less tempted to eat fast food because you are more likely to have a meal prepared at home and don’t need to stop and get something quick to eat.

4. Eat better – Not only will you be eating better home cooked meals, but you will have more time to make a salad or prepare a vegetable while you are waiting for your meal to cook on the stove or bake in the oven. Many times we spend so much time getting the main course done, we don’t have time to focus on vegetables that can make our meal more interesting and healthy.

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Source by Heidi Johnson

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Evaluate Team Performance and Determine Training Needs

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Many organizations struggle with how to tell if their teams are effective. Others who are just starting teams or have had working teams for some time wonder what type of new or follow-up training they should provide to the teams in order ensure effectiveness. Both needs can be met by developing a method of evaluating the teams.

Each team should participate separately in the evaluation process and it would be best if the individual member’s participation is anonymous so members do not feel pressured to rank everything as going well. Anonymity will aid honesty in the process. A process without honesty will not yield valuable information nor help lead to the desired results.

The easiest and quickest method for individual evaluations is a form-based survey. A standard form will provide a way to continually monitor the team needs on a quarterly basis. A good standard evaluation will also make it easier to compare teams since all teams will be measured in the same way for training purposes. A good team evaluation form will ask questions about team roles, meetings, and group performance with numbered rankings to determine training needs. An example ranking could be 1 for team always does this, 2 for often does, 3 for sometimes, 4 for occasionally does, and 5 for never does this. For individual team growth, the evaluation form may also include space for questions specific to the type of team, such as project completion issues or work team attitudes and behavior.

Asking questions about the team and assigning ranks will help to determine if additional training is needed. If the example ranks above are used, then where the team ranks a question at a very high number, this would indicate a need for immediate training in this area. If the rankings are very low numbers, then additional training may not be needed or can wait until the team decides it is needed. For a middle ranking, the team does need some training, but the need is not as immediate unless the ranking changes.

What type of training is necessary based on evaluation rankings? If the ranks were associated with roles, training to offer can include soft skills like leadership, methods for encouraging participation, conflict resolution, time management, team stages and roles, communication, giving and receiving performance feedback., interpersonal skills, personality differences, diversity, or education on empowerment with authority and accountability. Technical skills that may be required for specific members doing certain roles include taking minutes or writing progress reports, computer applications, organization, quality and statistics. For meetings, the higher rank should indicate the team needs training in holding effective meetings, decision-making, or techniques for idea generation and problem solving.

Questions related to group performance could indicate a need for a facilitated process to aid in developing group purpose or mission statement and goal-setting. Or training in time management, project planning/management and possibly detailed instruction on procedures, process flow analysis, or policy may be required. If specific team category questions were added, the resulting numbers for those questions will determine the specialized training necessary. For example an Information Technology project team may need project management training or some members may need training on a specific computer language or application. Whereas a team of change agents or a problem solving team may need change management, customer service, domain analysis, or problem solving techniques.

After the training has been taken by the team members and after a few months have passed. Re-evaluate the team to determine if the training is being effectively used or if a refresher is needed. Keeping team performance evaluated and the members trained are keys to successfulness and effectiveness of teams in an organization.

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Source by Shirley Lee

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TV Wall Mount Installation Mistakes That Homeowners Make

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Improving homes can be a stressful and expensive tasks since there are new and more durable items that are sold in the market. For instance, when talking about entertainment, more and more homeowners are replacing their old televisions with newer ones to have better picture quality and other unique features. But, when installing these state-of-the-art TVs, some homeowners make mistakes with regard to TV wall mounts. To know more, below are some of the mistakes you need to be aware of.

Not checking the integrity of walls

One of the mistakes that homeowners do when installing TV wall mounts is not checking the integrity of walls. Of course, all homes are made from the best materials to ensure structural reliability. However, there are cases when walls are compromised. Or perhaps, they have created temporary walls to divide their homes. Sadly, some homeowners neglect this factor when installing wall mounts for their televisions.

Not considering the position of the mounts

The next that most homeowners make when installing wall mounts for their televisions is they do not consider the position of the mounts. As mentioned above, more and more homeowners are replacing their old televisions with flat screens, LEDs and smart TVs. Thus, they have an allocated space for their TV, but this space or location is sometimes not suitable due to its angle. So, it is best to reconsider the location before installing the mounts to avoid unsightly holes on walls.

Using the wrong mounts

There are also cases when some homeowners use the wrong mounts. Most of the time, newly purchase TVs include a mount. But, some of these mounts are not suitable especially if you want to add some features such as the ability to move TVs in different angles. Unfortunately, when buying wall mounts, some homeowners purchase the wrong mounts which can increase their expenses.

Forgetting to measure before installing

Some homeowners also forget to measure before installing wall mounts. This is also one of the most common problems that can affect the integrity of installation as well as viewing experience of individuals. To avoid this, it is essential to measure twice before cutting or drilling holes.

Failing to hide wires

When installing wall mounts for televisions, some homeowners also fail to hide wires. Not hiding wires connect affect the reception of TVs. However, it can definitely damage the aesthetic features of homes. Because of this, it is best for homeowners to run wires behind walls. This may be an extensive task, but it can make homes more appealing at the same time.

Neglecting professional assistance

Finally, some homeowners also neglect professional assistance. Installing TV wall mounts can be an easy task. But, there are some problems that can turn simple installation into a disaster. So, if you want to ensure better and more efficient installations, you need to work with professionals.

These are only some of the mistakes that homeowners make when installing TV wall mounts that can affect the looks and appeal of their homes.

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Source by Jean H Morrison

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What to Look For in a Relocation Specialist

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The best place to start in the relocation process is obtaining a free consultation from a relocation specialist. A relocation specialist is able to provide comprehensive advice concerning a long distance move. Many relocation consultants are even able to work in conjunction with real estate professionals to help a person find a house in the new location. The professional is also able to connect a person with a bank in the new location to discuss the mortgage application process.

Some relocation consultants refer people to a home buying professional. These professionals are experienced in helping people find a house that is at or below market price. Often, homes that are being sold by the owner rather than through a real estate agency are sold for much less than other houses of the same size and quality in the same area. The home locators will understand these differences in market price and can assist a person in finding a perfect home when the person is not able to personally view a property.

Since the relocation specialists are located in the new city, they are aware of which areas are desirable and what kind of amenities are available in each nearby city. These professionals can discuss neighborhood preferences with a client to determine which area is ideal according to the client’s specific needs. For example, a client with a family may be concerned about the quality of local schools and the proximity of a property to parks.

Consultants are able to help the person that is relocating understand the moving process and find a reliable moving company that is able to move personal belongings long distance or internationally. International moves tend to be more difficult because of the distance involved, the possibility of overseas shipping and the fact that the items will probably need to spend some time being inspected in customs before the final leg of the journey can be completed. Movers that specialize in international moves are well informed of the specific laws involved in a move to a certain country.

International relocating companies offer comprehensive services including packing, loading and transporting items. If the moving process is long term, these companies also offer storage services during the interim. Insurance is offered directly by the relocating company, and the company will take care of all of the customs paperwork when the items arrive in the new country. Once the items have been cleared through customs, the company will transport them to the new home. Most relocating services even offer unpacking services at the new location.

While relocating is a daunting process, employing the help of professionals makes the transition more manageable.

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Source by Mary Scarr