Month: December 2024
You want to store your car, or RV, but you know that when you go to start your vehicle after it’s been sitting for a few weeks or months, that your battery will be dead.
The car battery trickle charger is specifically designed for the maintenance of 12 Volt batteries that are used periodically or kept in storage for extended periods.
The normal self-discharge of a battery is prevented when using a car battery trickle charger. In addition, the life of rechargeable 12 volt batteries is extended by providing a minimum current, regulated output.
Low quality chargers will produce a strong, rapid charge that often will decay electrodes and boil out liquids. We strongly recommend purchasing a charger that; once your battery has been fully charged, it will automatically shut-off and then resume charging as your battery level drops. Also, check to make sure the charger you buy is specifically designed for longterm use. You want to be able to safely leave it connected to your battery for days, weeks, months, even years!
More important tips for vehicle storage:
Gas up
Air carries moisture with it and that will result in condensation in the tank. To reduce this as much as possible make sure the tank is as full as it can be. This will reduce the condensation and considerably lessen the amount of water in the gas and the injection system. Get a gasoline stabilizer such as Stabil and put this in before filling the tank. You will need to run the engine for a while to ensure that the stabilized gas has penetrated the entire injection system.
Change the oil filter and the oil
The contaminants in old oil will corrode the insides of your engine so it’s important to put fresh oil and a new filter in the car.
Over-inflate Tires
Inflate automobile tire to approximately 40 or 45 psi. Modern radial tires aren’t known to have problems with flat spotting from storage. Still, some people suggest that you roll the car a little every 2 weeks or so. It is strongly recommended that you don’t jack the vehicle up and rotate the tires because when you lower the car the suspension will be loaded up. Try and check the pressure of the tires every few weeks or so and watch for slow leaks.
Some say that the suspension will sag by putting the car up on jacks. Letting it sit on the ground for the few months shouldn’t lead to any problems.
Clean the vehicles interior
When it comes time to take your vehicle out of storage you won’t clean it. You may not want to clean it before you put it in storage but when you take it out you simply won’t do it. So, take some time and get everything really clean. Clean the carpets. Clean the glass, inside and out. Clean behind the pedal cluster. Clean and condition the leather. You’ll be surprised at the dirt you’ll find. Clean all the nooks and crannies. Also, don’t forget to also clean the trunk, etc. There is a full season of dirt and junk in the vehicle that you’re not going to want to carry into the next season. Moth balls and a bag or two of the silica gel inside the car (which absorbs any moisture in the air) are excellent preventative measures.
Wash the vehicle
Dust and dirt are corrosive to any paint job so to ensure a longer life it’s important when storing to not leave those elements on the vehicle, but take care not to put it away wet. This can be challenging if you want to use the vehicle right up to wet or snow season. You should never put your car away wet because rust will form everywhere the water collects. You’ll want to try anticipating the weather and cleaning the car and driving it a little to dry it out before storage. Then it will be necessary to get the dust off before storing it with a wipe down with wet/damp towels followed drying it with towels. Another option is one of the “quick detailer sprays” available at many auto parts stores.
Wax car
This is recommended but it may be difficult to get in a good waxing of the car depending on the temperature when you are preparing to store it. A good quality of wax will be too difficult to apply in low temperatures.
Condition the rubber parts
Many of the brand name products for treating rubber put on greasy coatings of silicon (Silicon isn’t good for paint) or tend to build up over time and actually make the trim look worse. Use a good rubber conditioner to preserve all the trim.
Clean the wheels
Brake dust is highly corrosive and it’s not good to have it sitting on your wheels for weeks or months at a time. To do the most thorough job remove the wheels from the car, clean them on the outside and inside.
Cover Openings
Sealing up the exhaust tips will help to prevent rust inside the exhaust system. Close the heater vents and any other openings. Every 2 weeks or so, it’s probably a good idea to make a periodic inspection. Check if any leaks developed or if any mice are nesting.
Engine Storage
Spray WD 40 into cylinders
Take out spark plugs
Spray WD 40 into air intakes
Turn over the engine by hand with wrench a couple of times
Every three months repeat this (except the spark plugs which will no longer be in the engine)
To change the wheel bearing position, every three months turn wheels, or move car into different location
And for manual transmissions shift into one gear and move gear box internal around
Every six months drive the vehicle.
Starting the vehicle
There are differing views on whether starting a vehicle periodically while it is in storage is a good idea. Starting the engine puts considerable thermal stress on parts which are often in cold temperatures. The majority of engine wear occurs in the first few minutes when a car has been started because the oil is still in the oil pan and not lubricating the engine. In cold weather the engine may not get hot enough to burn off the moisture, acids, etc. the car is creating while running. This contaminates the clean oil. If you are going to store your car for a really long time then it needs to be run periodically to keep it operable.
When you look at your brand new car, you say to yourself, -I’m going to keep this one clean.- You mean it when you say it, but it hardly ever pans out that way. It doesn’t take long for a clean and organized car to go down the wrong road and end up a wreck.
Here are the keys to a clean and organized car:
– Vacuum the interior of your car regularly, at least once a month. Dirt and grit work the same way in your car’s carpet fibers as they do in your living room, they build up and breakdown the fibers. An extension cord and a shop vac will do the trick at home. Most gas stations and car washes have vacuums as well. A hand-held vacuum (or -dust buster-) works well on seats.
– Use a spray foam carpet cleaner and a rag on freshly vacuumed car floors to spot clean.
– Wash the exterior of your car once a month also. It’s easier to wash your car in the shade. Double check and make sure all windows are all the way up. Hose off the roof of your car first and then work your way down the sides. Be sure to get every inch nice and wet. Don’t forget the wheels and under the bumper and fender.
– Only use car wash to wash your car. I love my car too much to try any homemade solutions. Some car wash soaps are really pricey, but I always buy whatever’s cheapest. Apply soapy car wash with a sponge or rag, scrubbing as you go. Start at the top and work your way down. Stick to one area at a time. Rinse suds before they dry, then towel dry with a soft cloth or chamois to prevent spotting.
– After you’ve washed your car, polish the chrome. First, remove rust gently with a steel wool pad. Dab a wet sponge in baking soda and rub onto chrome. Let it stand 20 minutes, then rinse and buff dry with a rag. You’ll be amazed at how fabulous it looks!
– Baking soda also works wonders on removing splatters and grime from windshield, headlights, chrome and enamel using the same method as above.
– Keep plastic grocery bags in your car for trash, empty weekly or as needed.
– No car is complete without a container of baby wipes. Every Mom knows what miracle workers these things are. Great for quick and easy clean up of spills in the car and 1,000 other uses. Believe me; they’ll be put to good use in the car.
The real key and the most important factor in keeping a clean and organized car is to stay on top of it and not let it get out of control. Make an effort each day to remove anything from your car that does not belong in it. A car is a huge investment and should be treated with care. Don’t let your car become a wasteland. Get outside and get to work!
Nicole Dean welcomes you to visit http://www.HomeOrganizationHelp.com to help battle clutter and disorganization. For free ebooks on housecleaning and more, visit http://www.free-ebooksonline.com/ !
When it comes to oilfield clutches and brakes there are many manufacturers to choose from. The oilfield is a tough environment and the equipment that is employed must be durable, reliable and made-to-last. There are many different models and styles of oilfield clutch and the one that is right for you depends on the project. Every oil rig is operated differently, according to the procedures and culture of that particular company. Some oil rig outfits have a certain clutch manufacturer and supplier that they have used for decades. Others are open to trying to newest in oilfield clutch technology. Two of the industrys best oilfield clutch and brake manufacturers are Twin Disc and Dy-A-Flex.
Twin Disc clutches are an oil and gas industry favorite. There are many styles and version of Twin Disc products. One of the most popular Twin Disc oilfield clutch products is the Twin Disc PO Style Air Clutch. Twin Disc PO Style Air Clutches are designed to give the user maximum dependability at the lowest possible installation and operating costs. They are used extensively by leading manufacturers of drilling rigs, draw works, rock crushers, tractor winches, pipe-extruding machines, machine tools, pug mills, as well as a number of other industrial equipment/applications. PO Air Clutches are available in triple-plate, double-plate and single-plate construction and are available in sizes up to 1067mm (42 in). Twin Disc PO Style Air Clutches come in medium and large sizes.
National Style Dy-A-Flex clutches are very popular in the oil and gas industry. Dy-A-Flex products can be used for a myriad of applications. National Oilwell Dy-A-Flex Style Air Clutches are commonly found operating on National Draw works in the oil well drilling industry. It operates in principal like the VC style clutch from Eaton Airflex, in that it was designed for heavy-duty applications and has an open construction, which allow for high heat dissipation. Its ability to handle heavy loads, while withstanding repeated engagement and disengagements has made it a dependable performer. Instead of utilizing an independent enclosed air actuating tube like the VC, the Dy-A-Flex unit uses an enclosed diaphragm for clutch actuation. Every single component of the Dy-A-Flex unit is replaceable, meaning it can be rebuilt. Dy-A-Flex air clutches are available in six (6) sizes, with a variety of side plate configurations.
There are so many distributors of oilfield clutches and brakes that it can be hard to know what to look for and who to choose. When looking for a distributor, browse their website to see what sort of products they carry and at what prices. Then give them a call. You can tell a lot about a business by how you are treated on the phone. Make sure that the sales representatives are knowledgeable about their parts and inventory dont be afraid to ask them the questions you need answered! You should also check into what services the parts distributor provides. Many distributors provide full machine shop services to help service and repair your oilfield equipment.