Category Archives: Guest Post

Maintaining the Horse Trailer

If you’ve ever owned a horse trailer then you know just what type of maintenance is needed to keep it in working order and safe for your equine friends to ride in. However, I have found many people who really don’t understand the necessity of routine maintenance. Horrible trailering accidents can easily be prevented with simple routine upkeep of the horse trailer. Hinges can break causing the door to swing open, possibly letting the horse fall out into traffic. I’ve seen accidents caused by flooring giving way or tires blowing out. While accidents can happen at any time, lowering the odds with proper maintenance is really easy to do. One of the best horse gifts that you can give to give your horse is a safe trailer to ride in.

If you’re not mechanically inclined there are many trailer servicing places in most metro areas that you can take your trailer into for a good once over. It doesn’t have to be a big fancy garage. In fact, one of the best places around here is a little Mom and Pop garage just past the place that always has the cheap draft horses for sale. There are some really basic things to have checked out. Checking that the wiring and trailer brakes are working properly is a must. Having the floor boards checked out is also a must. Most places are very good at getting the mats back in place correctly. They can also check the brake bearings and the tire tread and pressure. A good garage will check for rust and will offer to repair it for an extra fee. They will go over all the hinges and lube them if needed or repair them if they’re damaged. Checking the welds and outer shells for breaks, rust, or damage is often included in the basic service, though fixing such problems might entail an extra fee. Whatever garage you use, getting the routine yearly maintenance checks can end up saving your horse’s life.

Is the Carbon Air Purifier Safe?

Air purifiers serve as our shield from many harmful airborne contaminants that may pose health risks. There are different processes with varying degrees of effectiveness since each process or technique can remove specific contaminants in the air.  These processes or techniques include Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation, HEPA Filters, Photocatalytic Oxidation, Titanium Dioxide, Ozone generators, Ionizers and activated carbon. These processes when combined together are especially effective. Here, we can take a closer look at a specific process called “activated carbon. “

The carbon air purifier is a technology that treats carbon atoms with oxygen which creates millions of tiny pores between each carbon atom. Adsorption is a process where chemicals are drawn to activated carbon and then bond to it. The millions of pores of activated carbon then provide a massive surface area to trap harmful chemicals in the air. Activated carbon can be thought of like a sponge, the bigger the filter, the more chemicals it can adsorb. Because of this adsorption property, so far, this carbon filters are considered the best filtration system available in the market. It can work well under extreme and varying temperatures. Carbon filters cost approximately $500.00 to $900.00 in the market depending on the model, additional features, and the manufacturer.

Consumers are often concerned with health risks. Is the carbon air purifier safe? There is no reason to worry. In fact, its filters remove many VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), Alcohols, Ketones, Halogens, Esters, Ethers, common human and animal odors and other chemicals in the air.  However, these filters are not widely used in households because they do not capture allergens, dust and other micro organisms, so they are not effective for those who suffer allergies, asthma and other respiratory illnesses. Medical practitioners, on the other hand, use this technology for some human applications such as using activated carbon in colon cleansing and to counter ingested toxins because of its adsorbent property. It is also known for adsorbing water impurities.

Purifiers impregnated with activated carbon are recommended for any establishment, but of course remember that not all contaminants are covered by carbon filters, so it is best to combine processes altogether for guaranteed results. Furthermore, activated carbon is safe and used by in industry and medicine regularly.

The IQair Compact Solution

The IQair compact solution is considered a leading supplier in the air cleaning business backed up by science, quality and excellence. The company’s reputation and dedication on improving the air we breathe started way back in 1963.

IQair has a line of products to choose from which is known for both its technical and stylish design aspects. Its Swiss design is unparalleled. IQair provides homes and businesses with quality air cleaning performance. The performance of the Iqair system was tested and proved during the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak which placed them on top after proving that their product could clean the air in hospitals. The technology is also tested by the American Lung Association and recommends it as a superior room purification system. Technically, this product is superior because it purifies the air that passes through the filter to 90% or better.

The IqAir product line includes models such as: HealthPro Compact, HealthPro, HealthPro Plus, GC AM, GC VOC, GC Chemisorber and GC Multigas that carries 1-5 years of warranty along with it after purchase. The HealthPro line specifically has the ideal airflow quality for those people suffering from allergies and asthma.  GC series on the other hand, addresses a specific range of chemicals, pollutants, gases and odors in the air. It is important to determine what your specific air purification requirements are before selecting a system. For example, the IQair 16 will guarantee you the cleanest air possible. It eliminates allergens, dusts and many other viruses and pollutants. For commercial use, IQair HealthPro Plus is recommended for hospitals and other medical establishments where many airborne viruses are present, it is also recommended for household use. The GC Multigas is effective in removing harmful tobacco smoke.

Once again, it is advisable to consider your specific needs before selecting an air purifier system. At the end of the day, an educated consumer can make a wise selection and also provide feedback to manufacturers. This feedback is valuable because it leads to future product improvements and we all benefit from cleaner air to breathe.

Portable Fridges – Outside And In

A portable fridge is a very popular appliance with many consumers.  Their main appeal is that they allow the ability to refrigerate away from the kitchen and out on the road.

There are several different kinds of portable fridge: the 12V car fridge; the 3-way camping fridge; and a generic compact fridge intended for household use – such as a dorm fridge.

For those in the market for a car fridge, one of the best buys is probably a 12V Engel fridge freezer.  These units are very expensive – in the $800 dollar range – but provide a very energy efficient, highly rugged and reliable solution for buyers looking for a 12V car fridge freezer.

Unlike cheaper and less efficient competitors they can freeze reliably, and can be ran from a vehicle’s car battery for quite some time without draining it to a dangerous level.  Be sure to look specifically for a compressor type 12v refrigerator, in preference to the inferior absorption technology models.

12V fridge freezers are very popular amongst off-grid types who crave energy independence.  Their high efficiency makes them a good choice for those attempting to power their refrigerator from alternate energy sources such as solar panels or wind turbines.

Portable camping fridges are usually of the 3-way type.  Three way fridges have the flexibility of being powered by three potential power sources.  Dometic and Waeco are well regarded brands. House current, used at home or when tapped into the grid is the most reliable option.  LPG (propane gas) can be used in remote locations such as hunting cabins, or within RVs, and can provide extended refrigeration for weeks on an average size tank.  Finally they can also draw power from a 12v DC system, though admittedly this is not their strong point.

For remote locations that do not have grid power available these are a good solution for portable refrigeration provided that a ready source of propane – and refills – is available.

The final common type of portable fridge is the type frequently found around the home.  These are normal refrigerators or fridge freezers – they use house power – but are simply compact versions.

Regular portable fridges are very popular for use as second refrigerators.  Small fridges are frequently used as mini bar fridges in home entertainment areas or media rooms.  Mini fridges like these are also very popular choices for use as college dorm fridges.

A grid powered small fridge like this is also often found in workplace break rooms and can also make a great beverage fridge for your home office or study.

Clearly, when purchasing a portable fridge, you must carefully consider how you will be utilizing the appliance – and then buy the appropriate model of portable refrigerator from the wide selection that is available.

As with most major purchases you will get what you pay for.  So plan to spend a little extra and purchase a quality model.  This could potentially save you a lot of the heartache – and in the long term money – that can result from choosing the cheapest options.

Tent Rentals for Smarter Camping

Camping remains a very attractive entertainment for many, yet can seem on the expensive side in order to be able to purchase most of the gear necessary. However, this does not have to be the case at all. You can find most of the gear needed right at home, and you can borrow or lease the rest. A good example of this approach is with tent rentals.

Quality outdoor supply and camping stores offer quite an array of gear that is available for rent, and this makes sense for several good reasons. For the beginner, they have the opportunity to discover if this is something that they want to pursue without investing in supplies that they may not be using in the future.

For the experienced camper, this gives them the opportunity to test out new, or different, models that they are interested in without purchasing them outright. The option to rent a tent as opposed to buying one makes even more sense when considering how many designs, sizes, and models are available.

Whether 1, 2, or 3 man tents, or even larger sizes, these numbers are relative when considering real world application. What may work for one pair of campers will not be suitable for another, and what one family considers cozy another may consider intolerable. Renting first can teach consumers these differences.

While out camping and backpacking one becomes very attached to one’s equipment, and at times they are truly a matter of survival, so getting the right gear is of vital importance. Shopping on impulse and emotion will never do in such cases. It would be wise to try before you buy, as the saying goes, and knowing what will be best for your needs.

Tent rentals can only serve to create smarter consumers. Again, this can be extremely important when out in the wilds and while on the trail. Camping is great fun, indeed, but does have an element of danger arising out of necessity. Getting the proper gear will increase both pleasure and safety.

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