For all ages, young and old, RC cars can be an extremely satisfying hobby. It never gets old, watching a little pint-sized motor spin at thousands of rpm’s and push a miniature car body along at speeds up to 100 MPH! But before you go out and buy an RC model, there are a few questions you need to have answered, such as: What company should I buy from, what size do I want, what motor type…?

One of the more important aspects is what company to buy from. There are many companies to choose from, some have better quality cars than others. So figure out if you can afford something in the $100’s or in the $1000’s. If you plan on going into tournament racing, some companies are more into competitive racing, and so are more expensive. Other companies make cars that are not as durable and can’t compete under the tough conditions of a tournament race. Some cars can go for hours without breaking down and with little wear and tear.

Another important aspect is the kind of motor to buy: electric or nitro. Electric motors come in two different categories, brushed motors or brushless motors. On average, brushless motors are faster…and more expensive. Nitro motors are fast too, usually faster than their electric counterparts. And of course, along with speed comes the routine of having to fuel the nitro cars – nitro isn’t cheap, about $ a can of oz. And electric cars you have to recharge.

Lastly, you have to decide what size of RC car you would like. They vary in size from 1:64 to 1:3 (meaning they are 1/64th to 1/3rd the size of the original car). The 1:10 model is the most common. It is easier to find parts for the more common size like the 1:10 and they are easier to find places to race or ride.

When choosing an RC company to buy from then, you have to consider whether they have the model you are looking for, the right type of motor, the right quality, and the right price range. Not all parts from the different companies models will work on all cars, as there are variations in the way some things are put together.

UPGRADING

When you finally have your car and have taken it out for a spin, you may find you want to upgrade or customize it, usually people do this to make it even faster (though they come pretty fast right out of the box). It can get complicated. You need to know if the motor will work along with the ESC (the Electronic Speed Control, which is the brains of the car). Also, you have to make sure you have the right size of battery – voltage and amp-hours. Higher voltage equals higher rpm’s and higher Amp Hours equals longer time between charges. Some motors have a limit on how much voltage they will work with, so you have to check into that.

ESC = should be rated higher than the motor… and brushed ESC’s are different than brushless ESC’s.

Battery = should have a higher discharge rate than motor. They have special chargers for these batteries also (LiPo batteries)

Motor = Higher RPM you want then you want higher KV rating. But that also means less torque, so for an off-road car, you would need to balance that number with what you need for torque.

Another way to upgrade or change the speed is by changing the gear of the motor on the output shaft. Less teeth equal less torque but more higher-end speed.

ON-ROAD, OFF-ROAD, and DRIFT CARS

RC cars can also be either on-road, off-road, or drift cars. Drift cars have special smooth wheels that spin the car out around corners – make it ‘drift’ – and so speed isn’t the primary issue, though they do go pretty fast. It’s the ability to control the drift around corners. Pretty neat to watch!

On-road cars have regular wheels, just like your family car. Off-road cars or buggies, are either trucks or buggies, and have knobby tires to help them grab into the dirt. Or jump off ramps.

TO GET STARTED

Figure out what your budget is, search for a manufacturer or distributor that has a model you like and the parts you need (and good customer service), and get started. Remember, you may want to upgrade, or you may be completely satisfied with everything right out of the box. Then educate yourself on the finer aspects of the hobby, and enjoy!

In layman terms the ECM or the electronic control module is a microprocessor that draws data in order to estimate the performance of a vehicle. In the automotive industry today, electronic control modules have transpired to become a standardized and necessitated automobile tool. Also known as the engine control module / unit or power train control module, it is a small computerized unit that controls all of the engine’s components. It regulates the fuel mixture, ignition timing and variable cam timing along with the emission and transmission control. It also continually monitors emission performance and administers the manoeuvring of the fuel pump, engine cooling fan and charging system. Other electrical systems and parts are likely to break down if this is on the blink.

Owing to the top-notch automobiles being manufactured, we are able to commute and transport quite conveniently. Now-a-days, an array of diverse vehicles can be availed such as, trucks, hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs etc. Trucks are vital when it comes to the transportation of goods, populaces and animals. Trucks are even used to transport dairy, FMCGs and cosmetic products and thus contributing to trade and commerce. Since high-end vehicles need top-notch gear system to operate appropriately, the ECM proves to be the most essential part for heavy-weight automobiles, especially transport trucks.

You wouldn’t want to compromise with the renewal as this is being an integral part of an automobile and must always be serviced, replaced, upgraded or rebuild only by qualified and certified personnel. This rebuilding is quite comparable to the “Black box” which is located in airplanes. Rebuilding is now being done by plenty of companies according to the requirement. These microprocessors are costly and consequently there is a need for protection against the theft. This can be easily removed. As a lot of firms are well aware of this hitch and in turn provide help to guard the module by bolting down the cooling plate. This is embedded securely against anyone who tries to confiscate it in order to earn a few bucks.

A lot many companies deliver re-manufactured ECMs, diagnostic tools and anti-theft kits at the best prices. Whether you are looking for a single truck or are looking to gear up an entire fleet with superior quality, you can now, easily avail the best deals and the most efficient services from the web. Ensure that you opt for a reputed and accredited company in order to acquire good quality services. Some of the accredited firms even offer free and genuine advice 24 hours a day. Also make sure that the re-manufactured ECM is tested and reliable. You may also choose to browse through various websites in order to compare the services available in the market. Moreover you can choose to read client reviews and testimonials to make an affirmative decision.

The Motorola DSP56002 is a high performance 24 Bit DSP (Digital Signal Processor). This refers to the device utilizing a 24 Bit Data Bus to exchange information. In this case, it is external. By comparison, most current DSP’s in the same class: Namely those that perform Fixed Point Numerical calculations, have either a 16 Bit external Data Bus or none at all (only able to address internal memory). The DSP56002 can address 64K of external memory, and 512 Bytes of internal RAM. This is admittedly not mind blowing, however is more than sufficient for most applications. Even Texas Instruments current range of Piccolo DSC’s (Digital Signal Controllers) have the same constraints with internal FLASH.

The DSP56002 runs at a very respectable speed of 66 MIPs (Million Instructions Per Second). Up to 198 MOPs (Million Operations Per Second) at 66 MHz can be achieved due to its inherent Harvard Architecture, which permits simultaneous access to program memory and two data memories. A double precision 48 by 48 Bit multiplication with a 96 Bit result can be calculated in 6 instruction cycles. A 56 Bit Addition or Subtraction can be completed in only 1 Instruction cycle. These Math properties make it ideal for real time Probability, FFT, and Neural Network applications.

For the Electronic Design Engineer interested in Stereo Audio Applications, or IQ demodulation schemes the DSP56002 features an SSI (Synchronous Serial Interface) which makes for a simple interface to Audio CODEC’s. When the DSP is used as a Slave processor (common to most applications) a built in Host Interface and ONCE port provides a convenient interface for communications. Just as important, this DSP is available in 132 and 144 pin QFP (Quad Flat Pack) packages. This makes it easy to implement prototypes as part of a Hardware development phase. The part also has up to 25 General Purpose I/O pins and a 24 Bit Timer/Event Counter that can be used for Waveform generation or simply to measure the time between Waveform changes.

Unfortunately, Motorola SPS changed their name to Freescale Semiconductor back in 2004 and ended up bowing to Texas Instruments dominance in the DSP marketplace. The organization moved away from DSP development, and the DSP56002 became an obsolete part. However, these processors are still available in limited quantities from major Electronic Component Resellers. Contrary to the popular belief: Obsolete means ‘not recommended for new designs’, the only challenge with working with the DSP56002 is sourcing parts, and even this is only a minor challenge. The DSP56002 is still an extremely Powerful DSP that can offer some unique product benefits.

Think outside of the box, and consider it for your next electronic design project!

Renault Koleos is a compact SUV manufactured by Renault Samsung motors, a subsidiary of Renault. It had debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in 2000. Even though the French Motor company Renault designed it, Nissan developed the Koleos. At present, the Koleos is sold across five continents and in the markets as varied as Europe, South America and Asia-Pacific.

Ever since it was introduced in the global market, there have been many modified versions of the car. The face-lifted version of the Koleos was unveiled at the Delhi Auto Expo in February 2014 and the production version is expected to hit the markets soon.

The face-lifted Koleos will come in two versions – a cut-price version with front wheel drive offering a six-speed manual transmission and a four-wheel drive version with a six-speed manual transmission. The Koleos will fight for its space in the compact SUV segment with the veterans in the field like Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour, Chevrolet Captiva, Honda CRV, Hyundai Santa Fe and BMW X1 among others.

What sets the Koleos apart from its rivals is its size and appearance. It is a large vehicle that will come with a 2.0-liter diesel engine, which can generate a powerful output of 171 bhp and a maximum torque of 360 NM. This is a lot of improvement over the current version.

The face-lifted Koleos comes with a heavily chromed grille, a bigger Renault logo and a dash of chrome on the side protector as well. The base model will have a single toned 17-inch alloy wheels and the 4X4 variant gets a two toned version of the alloy wheels.

The interiors of the Koleos are quite impressive as well. The dashboard is simple looking and comes with easily manageable controls. The Bluetooth compatible audio system comes as a standard and features Bose music system with five speakers and an amplifier. The safety features in the Koleos include air bags (eight in total), speed limiter, ABS with EBD, electronic stability program and brake assists. A few other features like coat hangers, smart card access key, sunblind and an illuminated glove box are also distinctive features of this SUV. It also comes with automatic headlamps and leather upholstery.

The Renault Koleos face-lift 2014 will be equipped with a reverse camera, hands-free card, Hill start aid and hill descent control. It has a unique feature, which is the Blind Spot Warning (BSW) that will give a visual alert when a vehicle is detected in a blind spot to help it overtake safely.

Overall, Renault Koleos is a large and spacious SUV with impressive safety and comfort features. It comes with a good fuel economy and offers a judicious blend of style, comfort and elegance.

On May 23, 2008 insurance carriers were suppose to accept NPI only on all paper & electronic claims. Not only were you required to include the NPI number, but you were required to EXCLUDE the legacy numbers. Some insurance carriers were not ready for the deadline and applied for an extension (like NYS Medicaid). But Medicare was ready and if you include your PTAN (legacy) number on your claims they are being rejected.

For the insurance carriers who were ready for this deadline, you must make sure you do not have the legacy number in the shaded area of box 24J or box 32A & 33A. If your software is set up to automatically print the legacy number in this box you need to remove it. If you submit claims electronically, make sure your vendor has it set up to exclude the legacy number.

For the insurance carriers who were not ready and applied for an extension, you will need to continue including the legacy number until they have complied. This makes things a little messy. You need to make sure you are submitting the claims that require the legacy number with it, and the ones that do not allow it, without. Crazy, but it is what we billing people have to do to make sure the money keeps coming in.

Another little crazy thing to worry about is the NPI number entered in 24J. If you are set up with Medicare as an individual provider (not a group) and you only have a type I NPI, you must leave the NPI part of box 24J blank. You cannot include the individual NPI number here. If you are an individual provider and you put your NPI number in 24J, Medicare may reject your claims.

If you are a group with Medicare then you need to continue putting the rendering providers individual NPI in box 24J and the group NPI (type II) in box 33A. If you are not sure if you are an individual or a group you can tell by your PTAN number. If you only have one PTAN number then you are an individual. If you have a PTAN for the individual provider and a separate PTAN for the practice name then you are a group. Just when you thought it couldn’t get much more confusing!

If you want to keep your cash flow steady it is important to make sure you are submitting the claims correctly. If you have any question as to what a particular insurance carrier requires, give them a call. Better to have it right the first time than to have to resubmit!

Copyright 2008 – Michele Redmond

I have moved many times over the course of my years and have gained some valuable tips and techniques that I pass on to my customers.

When first time home buyers have completed the closing, many times they are often overwhelmed by what occurs next, what to do and how to do it.

Moving into a new home can be a very confusing time for new home owners. Often times new home owners will focus on the immediate obvious tasks of moving and omit or not realize the importance of the little details.

Every one is different and their priorities tend to be focused on what they believe to be of importance. The finer details of a move and some of the tasks of making the transition from one home to another often sneak up on new home owners and make the transition a more tedious stressful affair then it has to be.

With that in mind, I present my customers with a short list of the necessary items they may not think of while they prepare to move into their new home. I provide this information as a service to all home buyers, and welcome additional insights and tips that others have used to make transitioning from one home to another easy, stress free and as enjoyable an experience as possible.

When I begin thinking about the move, I setup an outline and 2 task lists: list of physical items I will need to purchase or obtain for the move as well as a to-do list.

These lists provide me with an accurate measurement of what tasks are left to be accomplished prior to moving day and help me to remember items of importance.

Here is a list of some of the physical items needed for a move:

Boxes

You can never have too many boxes. You can either purchase them from a moving supply store, find them behind department stores, or some movers will also supply a given number of boxes. You will need various sizes and types of boxes for the move: small, medium and large boxes, Wardrobe boxes (these have a cross beam so you can hang clothing items within) etc. I also use boxes of various material types: Cardboard and plastic as an example.

Packing Material

Newspaper, bubble wrap, towels etc. Newspaper can be shredded to protect fragile items from impacts when moved. Bubble wrap I use for the more delicate items including fine china, art work and other fragile knick knacks. Towels I use as box stuffers. Towels are placed inside the walls of boxes to give fragile items such as dishes a cushion from impacts.

Packing and marking Tape and dispenser

It’s always a good idea to seal the boxes. Interlocking the flaps of boxes does not provide enough lock for the box and may open during transfer. I will usually interlock the flaps, and then tape over the seams to secure the box further.

For marking tape I use either the blue painters tape, or white duct tape. I place a strip of tape on everything that is either boxed or wrapped and mark the room in which it belongs.

Twine or rope

I use this material for several reasons: to secure box flaps that may come undone and I always bind books in rope for easy movement. Books in boxes can get very heavy and often times the boxes break or are too heavy to transit. Binding books in rope gives everyone, even small children the ability to pickup a stack and place it in a vehicle. It also saves your back from trying to lift a box full of books!

Movers Wrap

Movers wrap is a large roll of saran wrap like material. I use this to wrap furniture, TV’s and other large items that either don’t fit in a container or require additional protection. It also allows me to add impact protection to the items.

Example: I have a coffee table made of wood , I place rolled towels around the corners then wrap the table with movers wrap. This provides extra padding for the table which lessens the chance of it getting scratched or broke during the move.

Extra light bulbs

I pick up a few extra light bulbs just in case they’re needed. Don’t forget to have a flashlight on hand as well!

New Locks

For safety and security, I change all the locks in the house (front, back and side doors) either before moving day or on moving day. One never knows who has keys to the new home.

You may require additional items on your physical list. Personalize the list to your requirements so you can have any necessary items readily available for your move.

To-do list

My to do list will include all the tasks needed to be accomplished before, during and after the move. This list includes:

Movers/Truck Rental

Some of my moves I have had friends and relatives help with the move. Others, I have hired professional movers. Either way, it is important to make sure all the necessary people and vehicles are scheduled for the correct day of the move.

A few years back, I hired what I thought was a professional moving company (a very well known company) for my move to a new home. The day before the move I had not heard from the company and telephoned to make sure all was well. They told me they had my move scheduled for the following week! I was livid! I had previously verified the date with the company 2 weeks prior! Now I had to rush to find a new moving company for my actual moving day since the family moving into my old home was due to arrive the day after I moved out! Needless to say, I’ll never use that moving company again (nor recommend them) and I always confirm the day of moving with the company twice after my initial contact: 2 weeks before and then again 2 days before the move!

Packing

When packing, I always pack first in last out. What I mean is; if you think you are going to require an item quickly during or after the move, place it last in a box or container so it is on top and readily available as you open the container. Likewise, items on the bottom are those that won’t be needed right away.

I always pack by room. I will place several boxes and packing materials in each room and Label the box by the room in which it belongs. In the case of personal rooms, such as children’s rooms include their name on the box. If there are several of the same types of rooms such as offices, I mark them specifically as well. And don’t forget to mark boxes for storage rooms and garages!

I bubble wrap all delicate items before placing them in a box. I also bubble wrap all electronic items to prevent and lessen damage to the item due to shock or impact. I try not to mix rooms in the same box. It is much easier to unpack a room when all the items and boxes for that room are located right there.

I try to move delicate and fragile items myself. Whenever possible, I move the fragile boxes and items prior to the big moving day. When that is not possible, I place these items in my car. I know that moving day will be a rush and to minimize the confusion that day, it’s best for me if fragile items are not part of the rush.

I place comfort and hygiene items in their own small box, tooth brush and paste etc. for easy access.

I also am certain to have one small bag with paper plates, cups and disposable utensils for dinner and lunch the day of the move.

Contact Phone Numbers

I make certain I have called the necessary services prior to the move: Water Company, electric company, Gas company, refuse management company (trash pickup) and have these numbers readily available the day of moving just in case. A real estate agent can and should provide these numbers to you.

Also, if obtaining a new phone number contact the Phone Company and schedule an installation date as close to moving day as possible.

Change of address

Many new home owners often forget or don’t realize the importance of changing your address with the post office. The post office has a package you fill out and can leave with your post person or drop off at the post office. I always make sure this is done so my bills and correspondence can arrive at the new home in a timely manner. The last thing I want is to have bills show up at the new home after their due date!

Get Cash

Moving day is a very hectic day. The last thing I want to happen is to not have enough cash on hand for: tipping the movers, purchasing beverages, lunch and/or dinner etc.

Moving day

Now that I’ve prepared for moving day, I am ready and anxious for the day to arrive. If you are like me, you are excited to start your new life in your new home.

On or before (whenever possible) moving day, I go to the new home and place signs on the entrance to each room. The signs are the descriptions of the room (matching the box descriptions) so the movers will be able to place the appropriate boxes and items in their assigned rooms. Children’s rooms get a sign with their name on it, living room, dining room etc. How I intend to use a room, may not be readily evident. It also allows me to direct the process much easier as the Movers don’t have to ask where to put items.

Once moving day arrives, I am on top of my game. All items in the old house are packed and labeled and ready for the movers, all fragile items are loaded into personal vehicles or have already been moved to the new home. I then let the movers do their thing and load the truck. Most professional movers have a system for packing their trucks so I let them do what I hired them to do. Many reputable movers will examine and verify that delicate or fragile items such as televisions etc. are packed and protected appropriately.

For lunch and/or dinner I order something easy to be delivered and don’t forget the drinks. I’ll always pick up some bottled water and sport drinks to keep everyone involved hydrated.

Even though I had a home inspection prior to closing, when I arrive at the new home, I check and make sure every thing still works. I or someone I assign will go around the house and turn on all the lights, use the garage door opener, run the sprinklers (after the movers leave and there is nothing left outside on the lawn), run the dishwasher, dryer and clothes washer and check the pool or spa pump. If there is a problem, now is the time I want to find it.

I also go around the house and acclimate myself to all the various wall switches. Some of the switch uses may not be obvious. If there are allot of switches, I place blue painters’ tape (it doesn’t leave marks and is easy to remove) and mark the switches use until I become familiar with its usage.

If you’re like me, you have pets. I always put the pets in the backyard during the move and while the movers are there. I let the pets get accustomed to their new yard and give them plenty of water and some chew treats to keep them busy. Once the movers have left, I let the pets in the house and give them some time to smell around the home and acclimate themselves. After all, pets are people too!

After moving day

Now that I’m all moved in and begin to unpack, I’ve learned a few handy tips that I hope will help you settle in to your new home with ease:

Put out the welcome mat! If you don’t have one think about getting one to welcome visitors to your new home. It helps your neighbors feel comfortable in welcoming you to the new neighborhood.

Assign weekly family project tasks for maintenance and general upkeep for your new home. Assigning family projects is a great way to motivate children to do chores and give the family some quality time together.

More tips

Here are some handy cleaning tips I’ve learned for the house:

To clean a lavatory bowl:

Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the bowl and… Let the “real thing” sit for one hour, then flush clean. The citric acid in Coke removes stains from vitreous china.

To clean the caulking around bathtubs and showers:

Fill a trigger-spray bottle with vodka, spray the caulking, let set five minutes and wash clean. The alcohol in the vodka kills mold and mildew.

Summary

Moving into a new home, if properly organized before hand can be a great day for everyone involved. Creating lists to prepare for the move, marking items and the rooms in which they belong assist the helpers and make the move much easier. Many times it can also save you money by reducing the time needed to use professional movers.

There are many more events and tasks that can occur prior to moving. Creating a list will help minimize the tasks and items that need to be completed for a move to a new home.

Oh, and don’t forget… You are allowed to paint the walls, hang pictures and shelves and get new carpeting or other floor covering.

After all… It’s YOUR home now!

What is a Torx Screwdriver

My first use for a Torx screwdriver was in repairing my Compaq laptop. I had to go out to my local big box supply store and buy a set of Torx screwdrivers. I have since found them useful in home, auto and other electronic device repairs.

Maybe you have a Wii or cell phone that needs to be fixed. I have even seen kids toys that needed a Torx bit just to install the batteries. I am also sure you have seen these before, being used as a type of tamper proof screw head.

Back to my computer repair, there were only two sizes that were needed – a T6 and a T8. You are not going to get your cell or laptop open, without damaging it, without these tools.

If you do any type of electronics repair it makes sense to get a set before you need them, like on Sunday evening when the stores are closed. Since the screws come in many sizes it makes sense to get a set of tools. Either a set of Torx bits or a full set of screwdrivers.

If you have seen videos of Dell’s assembly line for computers you’ll notice the screwdriver hanging by cords at each station. These electric drivers with torx bits securely fit on the Torx screws allowing for a faster and more efficient assembly.

They “lock” onto the screw head much more securely than a Phillips screwdriver – and like a Phillips head you do need a different size bit for each size screw head – similar to an Allen wrench.

Torx Screwdriver Sets

Torx Screwdrivers are great for not only electronics repair but also good for giving your computer or game console a good house cleaning. Have you ever seen the clumps of dust and fuzz that build up inside most electronic gear, especially those with fans for air circulation.

By doing a routine cleaning you can prevent your game box from frying itself due to heat stroke. Getting a set of these screwdrivers is well worth it since you never know exactly what size of screw you might encounter.

The set I bought has about five of the most common sizes of screwdrivers. The tool sets are available in many sizes but the most common sizes are T5 through T10. They also retail for about fifteen dollars, which is not bad, for a specialty tool set.

Torx Bolts

A torx bolt is something new to me but if you do a lot of work on electronic equipment you are sure to run into some, and you are going to need a special Torx socket to remove it properly.

You can buy a single Torx socket, but the more economical choice would be to buy a Torx socket set. That way you will be able to use them on all of your gear.

You can find these tool sets in most electronics stores and most hardware stores. You can find the widest selection and best prices on the Internet. Your best bet is to buy them before you need them. If you buy a set with a wide ranges of sizes you should be all set when the time comes.

Torx Bits

If you are trying to do electronic repair such as cell phones, cameras, laptops you are going to need a special tool set.

Almost every piece of electronic equipment uses Torx screws. Each piece of equipment can use two or three different Torx screw sizes, so you will need a tool set with multiple sizes.

The best buy could be getting a Torx screwdriver with interchangeable bits or tips. These usually come with a range of Torx bit sizes that should fit all of the Torx screw sizes that you will run into. These, as with all tools, come in different qualities. Don’t go to the cheapest sets as these will not hold up if you are doing all a lot of assembly work.