Converting your vehicle to a clean fuel type, moving away from the noise and pollution of traditional petrol and diesel motors is something we have all thought about at some point. Many of us would consider an electric conversion or hydrogen tank with the on-going and ever increasing cost of fuelling up or cars, vans and trucks.
It would make sense to then look at a more affordable alternative source of energy, which might also be more beneficial to our environment and the health of those around us. Buying an electric car brand new is not something a lot of people might consider, the costs of a new specialist vehicle tend to put a lot of users off.
Most mechanics would be unskilled in maintaining and servicing your vehicle, it requires both an electrician and someone with good knowledge of the electrical side as well as a mechanic for the normal automotive service. You might be lucky to find someone who possesses both skills, but the best way might be to learn yourself.
Obtaining a manual which can guide you through the process of building, installing and maintaining the new internals of the electric hybrid is a good place to start. If you are relatively DIY savvy this is probably easier than it actually sounds.
Knowing which parts need to be replaced might give you an indicator as to the size of the job in hand, matched with your ability will decide then the length of said job and ultimately you could know if you are capable of undertaking this job.
Electric vehicles need to have replaced the actual engine with a motor; this is the biggest part of the job. Although the biggest it is not most difficult, detaching all of the internal pipes, cables, connectors and adapters which transport the fuel under the hood and the exhaust will be more fiddly.
The actual parts tend to be relatively priced, you can pick up over the Internet and have them delivered directly to your home or place of work. If you don't think you are capable of installing an electrical conversion after your research, I would consult a specialist or talk to someone who has done this conversion.
My decision would be based on time; it will take more than a few weekends to complete this conversion. But it is a fantastic opportunity and one which could be used to bond with family members if involved in the conversion, more hands makes short work after all.
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Feb 23, 2012
Beginner's Guide to Car Audio Installation - DIY
Speaker Positioning
Speaker installation is very critical for performance. Whether you spent $1000 or $10,000 on a set of speakers, if they are not properly installed, they would not sound as they should. Even though it may seem that the best position for most speakers are in the stock housing's that came with the car e.g. on the door panel near your feet, this is just not so. You would see why such positions are still used however along with alternative solutions such as center channels for 5.1 dolby, LCD screen, in-dash DVD players. There are many factors that need to be considered in placing the speakers in the correct position.
Distance
The first thing to consider is distance. If the left speaker is only a couple feet away from your ears, while the right speaker is several feet away from you, then the sound will arrive at different times giving you poor sound. Since the left speaker is closer, it sounds louder. The best solution is to figure out a location where the difference between the distance of the right speaker to your ears and left speaker (also known as path length difference), are minimal. This is where kick panels become the preferred location.
Multiple Speaker Placement
If you have a system with two or more speakers per side, you need to try out different locations to obtain the best possible sound in your car. If you have a 2-way system with a tweeter and sub per side. The subs are mounted in the stock location at the bottom of the door. The tweeters are mounted high up on the front corner of the door panel. From the driver's seat, you can see that there are 4 speakers all aimed towards different orientations and all at a different distance to your ears. This interaction of sound waves at different frequencies arriving at your ears at different times seldom sounds good. The best thing to do is to position the woofer and tweeter on each side as close as possible to each other. This is also why kick panels are used so much these days. Professional installers do use some tricks such as inverting the tweeters' polarity when mounted for example on top of the dash while the woofers are low. Achieving good sound with unconventional mounting schemes is very, very hard and is only achieved after plenty of time has been spent trying different configurations.
Aiming
Our ears can distinguish the direction of sound more easily at higher frequencies. This means that aiming the mids, and most importantly, tweeters towards your ears play a critical role in sound imaging. Midbases are not so critical, but should be also aimed towards the listener's ears if possible. To figure out the best aiming angle involves many hours -even days- of work. To start, try to aim the speakers towards the center of the car. Play around with different angles until you obtain the best sounding position. Subwoofers should be mounted up front for best sound. Since this is not possible in most cars, mounting subs in the back is not such a bad thing, since most people can't distinguish where bass comes from. If you have good midbases going down to 60 Hz or less and subs picking up the signal below 60 Hz, then the bass will seem to come from the front.
Enclosures
Subwoofers need a properly designed enclosure to give top performance. Midbases and mids also do sound much better if they are installed in enclosures. The best sounding and easier to build enclosure type for midbases and mids is sealed.
Mounting Speakers
If you are using speakers that fit into the stock location, make sure there are no spaces or holes. Sometimes building a wood or fiberglass baffle helps reduce holes and gives you much better sound. Always be careful when using power tools around speakers. Holes in speakers usually are not covered by the warranty. For unconventional speaker locations, sometimes metal has to be cut. If you have the resources, plasma cutters and pneumatics tools work great. For most of us that do not have these tools, a pair of metal snips (left and right cut) will do the job.
Take your time to plan your system and dont just buy brand and product for the sake of popularity. Sometimes the simplest system is the most effective.
Speaker installation is very critical for performance. Whether you spent $1000 or $10,000 on a set of speakers, if they are not properly installed, they would not sound as they should. Even though it may seem that the best position for most speakers are in the stock housing's that came with the car e.g. on the door panel near your feet, this is just not so. You would see why such positions are still used however along with alternative solutions such as center channels for 5.1 dolby, LCD screen, in-dash DVD players. There are many factors that need to be considered in placing the speakers in the correct position.
Distance
The first thing to consider is distance. If the left speaker is only a couple feet away from your ears, while the right speaker is several feet away from you, then the sound will arrive at different times giving you poor sound. Since the left speaker is closer, it sounds louder. The best solution is to figure out a location where the difference between the distance of the right speaker to your ears and left speaker (also known as path length difference), are minimal. This is where kick panels become the preferred location.
Multiple Speaker Placement
If you have a system with two or more speakers per side, you need to try out different locations to obtain the best possible sound in your car. If you have a 2-way system with a tweeter and sub per side. The subs are mounted in the stock location at the bottom of the door. The tweeters are mounted high up on the front corner of the door panel. From the driver's seat, you can see that there are 4 speakers all aimed towards different orientations and all at a different distance to your ears. This interaction of sound waves at different frequencies arriving at your ears at different times seldom sounds good. The best thing to do is to position the woofer and tweeter on each side as close as possible to each other. This is also why kick panels are used so much these days. Professional installers do use some tricks such as inverting the tweeters' polarity when mounted for example on top of the dash while the woofers are low. Achieving good sound with unconventional mounting schemes is very, very hard and is only achieved after plenty of time has been spent trying different configurations.
Aiming
Our ears can distinguish the direction of sound more easily at higher frequencies. This means that aiming the mids, and most importantly, tweeters towards your ears play a critical role in sound imaging. Midbases are not so critical, but should be also aimed towards the listener's ears if possible. To figure out the best aiming angle involves many hours -even days- of work. To start, try to aim the speakers towards the center of the car. Play around with different angles until you obtain the best sounding position. Subwoofers should be mounted up front for best sound. Since this is not possible in most cars, mounting subs in the back is not such a bad thing, since most people can't distinguish where bass comes from. If you have good midbases going down to 60 Hz or less and subs picking up the signal below 60 Hz, then the bass will seem to come from the front.
Enclosures
Subwoofers need a properly designed enclosure to give top performance. Midbases and mids also do sound much better if they are installed in enclosures. The best sounding and easier to build enclosure type for midbases and mids is sealed.
Mounting Speakers
If you are using speakers that fit into the stock location, make sure there are no spaces or holes. Sometimes building a wood or fiberglass baffle helps reduce holes and gives you much better sound. Always be careful when using power tools around speakers. Holes in speakers usually are not covered by the warranty. For unconventional speaker locations, sometimes metal has to be cut. If you have the resources, plasma cutters and pneumatics tools work great. For most of us that do not have these tools, a pair of metal snips (left and right cut) will do the job.
Take your time to plan your system and dont just buy brand and product for the sake of popularity. Sometimes the simplest system is the most effective.
Want to add the convenience of a navigation system to your car or truck? GPS navigation systems are one of the most popular aftermarket upgrades on the market today, and installing one of these systems in your vehicle is a great way to take your driving experience up a notch. However, you may want to consider hiring a professional to install your new nav system, as these installations can be surprisingly complex. Of course, putting a portable car GPS in your vehicle can be as simple as sticking a suction cup to the windshield. But if you're considering installing an integrated, in-dash navigation system, you might want to think twice before you tackle the job yourself. Aesthetics When it comes to installing a car navigation GPS, you have to consider how it will look, as well as how it will perform. In most cases, putting in a navigation system involves creating an opening in the dash for the screen, and if not done properly, your new navigation equipment will hardly look its best. From crooked screens to jagged edges to scratched, scraped, and damaged dashes, you'd be amazed at the number of things that can go wrong when you try to put in an in-dash navigation screen all on your own. On the other hand, the installers at your area mobile electronics shop have performed hundreds of similar installations in the past. These professionals can expertly cut the hole for the screen, locating it in the optimal position for easy use, and finish the installation in a smooth, seamless way. When installed by experienced pros, aftermarket car navigation systems can look like they've been there since the day the vehicle rolled off the assembly line! Performance Of course, looks aren't everything. The whole point of installing a car GPS system is for its navigational assistance and convenience, so you'll also want to make certain it is installed properly for optimal performance. Lose wires, damaged equipment, and other common amateur mistakes can mean that the gyro, compass, speed sensor, or other parts of the system don't function correctly, disabling your GPS (sometimes permanently). At your local car electronics shop, their technicians are trained professionals with a full understanding of the best way to hook up your new navigation system. From securely soldered wires to fully functional components, they can ensure you're able to enjoy every single feature of your new car navigation GPS to its fullest. Cost Putting in your own in-dash navigation system obviously carries a lower price tag than using the professional installers at your local car audio shop. That's because you're paying just for the equipment, not for the installation labor as well. So if low cost is your primary criterion, you may want to look into do-it-yourself installation. For the best results, though, make sure you're being honest about your car electronics installation skills: If you have some technical knowledge, the correct tools, and the ability to closely follow installation diagrams, you should be able to hook up your new GPS car navigation components properly. On the other hand, if you don't have the expertise or tools, the results may not meet your expectations in terms of aesthetics or performance, so do a quick assessment of whether or not you really are equipped to handle your own navigation system installation before you start to avoid disaster down the Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6360174
The number of people that think they're brilliant car mechanics would easily fill any phone book in any city. The number who actually are good mechanics would fill about half a page. The difference between a pro mechanic and a person thinking they know how to fix a car is the difference between a Ferrari and a piece of cheese. One drives a lot better than the other. When you need car service, you get an expert.
Some very minor things can be understood easily enough, but if you go beyond changing a windscreen wiper, things can get ugly in a hurry. The days when you could do a decent job on a car with a few basic tools and an enthusiastic look on your face are long gone. Modern cars need professional care, because if they don't get it, they tend to fall to bits.
Modern cars have complex, and sometimes tricky, systems. One of the reasons the major brands have approved services rather than just any old thing is because the systems often contain proprietary parts and in some cases special design features. These things are non-standard, and you need to know how to deal with them.
The other issue is more basic. Safety isn't an optional extra. A jury-rigged transmission may sound like fun when you're a teenager, but try dealing with one when it doesn't feel like cooperating on the road, and you're in a mess. As a matter of fact you're quite likely to be a mess, if your car starts objecting to doing things while you're driving it.
Do what yourself?
The best thing to do for yourself is to pay attention to car problems. Don't get lazy about weird little sticks in the steering or try to make money making bets on whether the brakes will work. Try to figure out why you feel like you're driving a pile of broken springs every time you hit the road, and you'll track down your suspension problems.
Identify the problems and get something done about them. These jobs are way out of the range of DIY, even for good mechanics, without the sort of technical backup required to do them. Even a good wheel alignment is a bit much for good DIY people, and if you think for a moment about the possibilities of your wheels pointing to all directions of the compass, you can predict the results.
Then there's that little bundle of fun, the engine. Nothing like a nice day's work sabotaging your car, is there? This is another case where you're often not just dealing with one problem, and "fixing" one thing may actually make things worse. You could have a perfectly charging car driving some old worn-out thing into the ground, for example.
Imagine, also the benefits of a great motor in a car where everything else is falling to bits. The extra power makes things much worse, almost instantly. The wheels, out of alignment, with all that power, are more dangerous than ever.
Some motorists are good amateur mechanics, but don't kid yourself. If one thing has gone wrong, it will have affected others. If you need car repair, get a professional, and take the guesswork out of the equation before you drive.
Some very minor things can be understood easily enough, but if you go beyond changing a windscreen wiper, things can get ugly in a hurry. The days when you could do a decent job on a car with a few basic tools and an enthusiastic look on your face are long gone. Modern cars need professional care, because if they don't get it, they tend to fall to bits.
Modern cars have complex, and sometimes tricky, systems. One of the reasons the major brands have approved services rather than just any old thing is because the systems often contain proprietary parts and in some cases special design features. These things are non-standard, and you need to know how to deal with them.
The other issue is more basic. Safety isn't an optional extra. A jury-rigged transmission may sound like fun when you're a teenager, but try dealing with one when it doesn't feel like cooperating on the road, and you're in a mess. As a matter of fact you're quite likely to be a mess, if your car starts objecting to doing things while you're driving it.
Do what yourself?
The best thing to do for yourself is to pay attention to car problems. Don't get lazy about weird little sticks in the steering or try to make money making bets on whether the brakes will work. Try to figure out why you feel like you're driving a pile of broken springs every time you hit the road, and you'll track down your suspension problems.
Identify the problems and get something done about them. These jobs are way out of the range of DIY, even for good mechanics, without the sort of technical backup required to do them. Even a good wheel alignment is a bit much for good DIY people, and if you think for a moment about the possibilities of your wheels pointing to all directions of the compass, you can predict the results.
Then there's that little bundle of fun, the engine. Nothing like a nice day's work sabotaging your car, is there? This is another case where you're often not just dealing with one problem, and "fixing" one thing may actually make things worse. You could have a perfectly charging car driving some old worn-out thing into the ground, for example.
Imagine, also the benefits of a great motor in a car where everything else is falling to bits. The extra power makes things much worse, almost instantly. The wheels, out of alignment, with all that power, are more dangerous than ever.
Some motorists are good amateur mechanics, but don't kid yourself. If one thing has gone wrong, it will have affected others. If you need car repair, get a professional, and take the guesswork out of the equation before you drive.
How to Install a Car GPS - DIY
Want to add the convenience of a navigation system to your car or truck? GPS navigation systems are one of the most popular aftermarket upgrades on the market today, and installing one of these systems in your vehicle is a great way to take your driving experience up a notch. However, you may want to consider hiring a professional to install your new nav system, as these installations can be surprisingly complex. Of course, putting a portable car GPS in your vehicle can be as simple as sticking a suction cup to the windshield. But if you're considering installing an integrated, in-dash navigation system, you might want to think twice before you tackle the job yourself.
Aesthetics
When it comes to installing a car navigation GPS, you have to consider how it will look, as well as how it will perform. In most cases, putting in a navigation system involves creating an opening in the dash for the screen, and if not done properly, your new navigation equipment will hardly look its best. From crooked screens to jagged edges to scratched, scraped, and damaged dashes, you'd be amazed at the number of things that can go wrong when you try to put in an in-dash navigation screen all on your own. On the other hand, the installers at your area mobile electronics shop have performed hundreds of similar installations in the past. These professionals can expertly cut the hole for the screen, locating it in the optimal position for easy use, and finish the installation in a smooth, seamless way. When installed by experienced pros, aftermarket car navigation systems can look like they've been there since the day the vehicle rolled off the assembly line!
Performance
Of course, looks aren't everything. The whole point of installing a car GPS system is for its navigational assistance and convenience, so you'll also want to make certain it is installed properly for optimal performance. Lose wires, damaged equipment, and other common amateur mistakes can mean that the gyro, compass, speed sensor, or other parts of the system don't function correctly, disabling your GPS (sometimes permanently). At your local car electronics shop, their technicians are trained professionals with a full understanding of the best way to hook up your new navigation system. From securely soldered wires to fully functional components, they can ensure you're able to enjoy every single feature of your new car navigation GPS to its fullest.
Cost
Putting in your own in-dash navigation system obviously carries a lower price tag than using the professional installers at your local car audio shop. That's because you're paying just for the equipment, not for the installation labor as well. So if low cost is your primary criterion, you may want to look into do-it-yourself installation. For the best results, though, make sure you're being honest about your car electronics installation skills: If you have some technical knowledge, the correct tools, and the ability to closely follow installation diagrams, you should be able to hook up your new GPS car navigation components properly. On the other hand, if you don't have the expertise or tools, the results may not meet your expectations in terms of aesthetics or performance, so do a quick assessment of whether or not you really are equipped to handle your own navigation system installation before you start to avoid disaster down the line.
Aesthetics
When it comes to installing a car navigation GPS, you have to consider how it will look, as well as how it will perform. In most cases, putting in a navigation system involves creating an opening in the dash for the screen, and if not done properly, your new navigation equipment will hardly look its best. From crooked screens to jagged edges to scratched, scraped, and damaged dashes, you'd be amazed at the number of things that can go wrong when you try to put in an in-dash navigation screen all on your own. On the other hand, the installers at your area mobile electronics shop have performed hundreds of similar installations in the past. These professionals can expertly cut the hole for the screen, locating it in the optimal position for easy use, and finish the installation in a smooth, seamless way. When installed by experienced pros, aftermarket car navigation systems can look like they've been there since the day the vehicle rolled off the assembly line!
Performance
Of course, looks aren't everything. The whole point of installing a car GPS system is for its navigational assistance and convenience, so you'll also want to make certain it is installed properly for optimal performance. Lose wires, damaged equipment, and other common amateur mistakes can mean that the gyro, compass, speed sensor, or other parts of the system don't function correctly, disabling your GPS (sometimes permanently). At your local car electronics shop, their technicians are trained professionals with a full understanding of the best way to hook up your new navigation system. From securely soldered wires to fully functional components, they can ensure you're able to enjoy every single feature of your new car navigation GPS to its fullest.
Cost
Putting in your own in-dash navigation system obviously carries a lower price tag than using the professional installers at your local car audio shop. That's because you're paying just for the equipment, not for the installation labor as well. So if low cost is your primary criterion, you may want to look into do-it-yourself installation. For the best results, though, make sure you're being honest about your car electronics installation skills: If you have some technical knowledge, the correct tools, and the ability to closely follow installation diagrams, you should be able to hook up your new GPS car navigation components properly. On the other hand, if you don't have the expertise or tools, the results may not meet your expectations in terms of aesthetics or performance, so do a quick assessment of whether or not you really are equipped to handle your own navigation system installation before you start to avoid disaster down the line.
DIY Hydrogen Generator For Cars - Benefits of Cars Running on DIY HHO Generators
People from all over are starting to notice DIY hydrogen generators for cars. They are turning to such alternatives because of the obvious increase in gas prices and to help cut cost when spending for their automobiles. Spending for gasoline being the number cost in car maintenance, many people have realized that running a water powered car can be a great option for their pockets. Moreover, it is not very difficult to convert your car engine and make your own DIY hydrogen generator for cars. Cars run on water easily help you save and improve your fuel economy by almost 50 percent.
The Good Side
There are several good benefits when you run a car on water.
1. Using a water powered car is cheaper than your existing gasoline or diesel engines.
2. The DIY hydrogen generator for the cars is easy to construct and install into your existing cars. All of the parts necessary can be obtained at your own local shop or hardware stores. Most of these parts are very common, inexpensive items. You don't need to order them and spend a lot of time looking for specialists who can offer you the services and the car parts.
3. Water powered car engines burn cleaner fuels compared to other cars. It also gives out less harmful carbon dioxide emissions. Because of this efficiency, you will notice that your water fuel also contributes to your cars performance, making it more efficient.
4. Cars run on water have engines that receive less wear and tear, in contrast to regular cars engines running on gasoline or diesel. This greatly helps extend your engine's running life and lessens the carbon buildup, cutting down costs for automobile repairs and maintenance.
The Good Side
There are several good benefits when you run a car on water.
1. Using a water powered car is cheaper than your existing gasoline or diesel engines.
2. The DIY hydrogen generator for the cars is easy to construct and install into your existing cars. All of the parts necessary can be obtained at your own local shop or hardware stores. Most of these parts are very common, inexpensive items. You don't need to order them and spend a lot of time looking for specialists who can offer you the services and the car parts.
3. Water powered car engines burn cleaner fuels compared to other cars. It also gives out less harmful carbon dioxide emissions. Because of this efficiency, you will notice that your water fuel also contributes to your cars performance, making it more efficient.
4. Cars run on water have engines that receive less wear and tear, in contrast to regular cars engines running on gasoline or diesel. This greatly helps extend your engine's running life and lessens the carbon buildup, cutting down costs for automobile repairs and maintenance.
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