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In the wild, orchids typically grow in humid jungles under a canopy of trees. You can recreate this bright, indirect sunlight in a home environment by using artificial light sources, such as compact fluorescent lights (CFL). However, this type of lighting, which is much more affordable than other types, has a different effect on plants than the more traditional incandescent (INC) lamps.
Decorating garbage cans is something you can do in a wide variety of different ways, like with duct tape. Decorate garbage cans with help from a crafts expert in this free video clip.
Companion animals like cats face a number of dangers for which you might be unprepared. The truth is, almost anything can harm a cat if it's ingested or abused. Still, some items are more dangerous to cats than others.
With the constant pace of advancement in computers, smartphones, tablets and other electronic devices, you've probably occasionally found yourself with obsolete or outdated technology in your home. While these electronics might appear harmless from the outside, the components on the inside are often hazardous or toxic, which can present a danger when thrown in the trash. Many states have begun to prohibit the disposal of electronic devices in the trash due to the environmental and health risks involved.
Repurposing household items for decorating is a great way to breathe new life into some of your older pieces. Repurpose household items for decorating with help from an interior and life designer in this free video clip.
Turning household items into whimsical do it yourself art is a whole lot easier (and fun) that you might be assuming. Turn household items into whimsical DIY art with help from a crafts expert with fifteen years of experience in this free video clip.
When it comes to watercolor shading, there are a few key colors that you're going to want to play around with. Learn which colors you should use for watercolor shading with help from a graduate of the Maine College of Art in this free video clip.
Tape can be a girl's best friend, especially when she's wearing an evening gown. Use tape for evening gowns with help from the Vice President of Chic Little Devil Style House in this free video clip.
Hanging curtains and liners doesn't have to be the most difficult thing you try to accomplish in a given day. Learn how to hang curtains and liners with help from a professional interior designer in this free video clip.
It is important to use pet toothpaste when brushing your pet’s teeth. Several ingredients in human toothpaste can make a pet sick. Pet toothpastes are available in a variety of flavors, including chicken and beef, which are very palatable to animals. Human toothpaste usually has a minty flavor, which most pets do not like, so they will not keep still for you to brush their teeth. Start brushing your pet’s teeth from a young age to introduce him to the process and make it a part of his routine. It is a good idea to reward a pet with a…
Finding the right shower curtain liner keeps your shower curtain looking new -- and makes cleaning easier. Learn about the features and care of shower curtain liners to reduce the risk of mold, mildew and mineral buildup. Knowing the differences between a polyester and a nylon shower curtain liner will help you choose the liner that suits your decor and your lifestyle.
Relocating an A/C vent requires disconnecting the vent from the HVAC duct and moving the duct to the new vent location. In order to do this, you will need to access the wall cavity that the duct runs through as well as the ceiling joists above the room. The process can be messy and requires that you cut through the surface of the wall and pull away the subfloor from the floor above. Done correctly, though, you’ll leave no sign of the work it took to relocate the vent so it will appear to have been placed there originally.
Light-emitting diodes, known for their longevity, efficiency and small size, generate light via a semiconductor crystal. When the power supply of an LED converts AC voltage into DC voltage, the energy excites the crystal to produce bright light. Although standard LEDs are typically small in size – sporting an average lens width of about 5 mm – mini LEDs provide an even tinier alternative light source.
The powertrain control module on the 1997 Ford F-350 with the 7.3-liter Powerstroke diesel engine monitors the engine sensors and modifies the air-to-fuel ratio, as needed. It’s also responsible for sending the command to the injector driver module to fire each fuel injector. Replacing the PCM is pretty straightforward, but finding it is a little tricky, as it is in an unorthodox area. Unlike more modern vehicles, the 1997 F-350’s PCM requires no programming after installation, just a simple test drive to learn the vehicle and environmental conditions.
Pillow blocks are used in industrial applications for supporting driveshafts and other spinning mechanisms, such as fans. The pillow block itself is a clamped, shaped fixture that houses a spinning ring and bearings. This assembly needs to stay properly lubricated at all times, both to allow the shaft to spin freely and for cooling and protective purposes. A DIYer who has a grease gun and the recommended lubricant can oil or lubricate the ring in a self-aligning pillow block fan with little effort.
Rebuilding a Sea-Doo engine is one of those tasks that owners hope to avoid during the time they own the watercraft. However, as is sometimes the case with small engine maintenance and repair, an occasional rebuild may be necessary to keep maintenance costs low and to possibly avoid having to replace the entire Sea-Doo before the end of its life cycle.
A rolling flame occurs in a furnace when something happens to divert the direction of the furnace's combustion. The flame "rolls" outward, burning other components in the furnace and possibly injuring anyone standing too close to it. A flame roll-out is a serious problem that can result in a house fire. Proper inspection and repair are required as soon as the problem is discovered and the furnace should not be used until this happens.
A lens clock is a dial indicator measurement device that is used to measure the dioptric power of a lens by measuring its curvature. The device features three legs, two of which do not move and a third that moves in and out to give the dioptric power reader. If you want to use a Sadler lens clock to check the dioptric power of a lens, you can do so without any prior knowledge of ophthalmic equipment.
Fluorescent FUL bulbs -- U-shaped fluorescent lights -- usually provide ultraviolet light for indoor growing environments or spooky Halloween parties. Many lighting companies across the country -- including Lights of America (LOA) -- create bulbs that produce ultraviolet light. Choosing which bulbs to purchase depends on factors such as the home's available space and the desired use for the fixtures.
Serial peripheral interface, or SPI, is a protocol that governs the transfer of data in electronic circuits. Circuit board designers use it to enable microprocessors to exchange data with memory cards, sensors and other processors. The components send data in the form of bits along wires or printed circuit board paths. The sending component must signal its target that data is coming and where to look for it. SPI configures the interface to make sure the receiving component gets the expected data.
Samsung was one of the earliest to bring Digital Light Projection televisions to the consumer market in 2003. The HLP-6163 is a 61 inch version of this television technology, offering a large screen and relatively light weight. Many users report what they believe is fan noise emanating from the rear of the set. However, in most cases the true culprit tends to be a failed color wheel, an integral part of the television's light engine.
When a Samsung Digital Light Processing (DLP) projection TV owner asks for help with a DLP TV turning on and then off, and then showing a "Check Fan #2" message, he has misspoken slightly about the problem. Instead of turning on and off, a Samsung TV may have flickered right before the message appeared. It may also turn off, stay off and then require that you manually turn it on. Whichever the case, the error message relates to a problem with the TVs cooling system.
Pedestal guards are combinations of stainless steel rails and metal sheets, designed to be mounted near the binnacle of a sailboat. They serve the multiple purposed of providing mounting locations for instruments and adding an extra spot for securing safety lines and handholds. They're commonly fitted onto ocean-going yachts either as standard equipment or as owner upgrades. It may become necessary to drill holes in a pedestal guard to route wiring or lines through it. Because drill bits can slip easily on stainless steel, some special techniques should be employed.
Becoming a fan on Facebook and getting a badge are kind of like a rite of passage on the service. Become a fan on Facebook and get a badge with help from a digital, mobile and social media aficionado in this free video clip.
Giving a Facebook fan page an alias is a great way to maintain your privacy while still using the service. Give a Facebook fan page an alias with help from a digital, mobile and social media aficionado in this free video clip.
Not all extension cords are created equal, especially when it comes to safety. Choose the safest extension cord for your needs with help from a certified firefighter in this free video clip.
When using repellents on your tomatoes, you need to be especially careful you don't damage the tomatoes themselves. Learn about a repellent recipe for tomatoes with help from an expert on green pest control in this free video clip.
Garlic powder is just one ingredient used in homemade deer repellent. Learn about a recipe for homemade deer repellent using garlic powder with help from an expert on green pest control in this free video clip.
Becoming a "fan" of a page is a little bit different than becoming their "friend." Learn about resending a Facebook fan page request with help from a director and producer of media content in this free video clip.
Gypsum plaster, or plaster of Paris, is created when the naturally occurring mineral is heated and mixed with a liquid, generally water. The product is used to create ornate fireplaces that over time can become stained with soot, dirt and dust. Refinish your gypsum plaster fireplace surround with a thorough cleaning and a fresh coat of paint. Use the correct products and procedures to create a clean finish and to prevent damaging the surround.
In the past, before you could tape sheetrock, a thin layer of joint compound had to be used. With the advent of self-adhesive mesh drywall tape, this step is no longer necessary, as the mesh tape provides a durable seal. While there must still be compound applied over the top, removing the initial step of mudding drywall joints saves a great deal of time and effort.
Your heating and cooling system is only as effective as your duct system. The hottest furnace on Earth won't heat a cold house if the ducts that circulate the warm air are obstructed or leaking. Duct maintenance should therefore be a high priority for homeowners looking to maximize the efficiency of their systems. A duct may collapse because of improper installation, age, corrosion or weight. A pet can cause a duct to collapse by laying on it, for example. Replace the affected duct as soon as this occurs to keep your HVAC system working properly.
The Lexmark T642 printer comes with two fans, a main exhaust fan and a cooling fan. These devices are vital to the laser printer's performance. The 927 error messages are usually associated with fan problems, so if you're unable to print or run the T642 printer, it's important to inspect the fans properly and safely.
Light-emitting diode (LED) backlight display technology is used in televisions and computer monitors as a way to illuminate liquid crystals on liquid crystal displays (LCD). Traditional LCD displays use cold cathode fluorescent lamps, similar to traditional cathode ray televisions. They are considered a higher-end LCD display, because LED illumination technology provides advantages in picture quality and product life.
All Sony notebooks come with a built-in fan that keeps the hardware components in the laptop from overheating. When the fan on your Sony notebook does not spin, your motherboard or other key hardware components may become permanently damaged. If your Sony notebook fan is not spinning, it is important to resolve the issue as soon as possible to avoid further problems. By going through each of the most likely causes for this problem, you can determine how to get the fan in your Sony notebook working again.
Fans installed in hood enclosures above stoves remove odors and smoke while cooking and baking. They also reduce the amount of greasy residue that collects on walls, ceilings, counters and appliances. The placement and dimensions of the fan and hood affect its aesthetic appeal and its functionality.
Rodents, particularly mice, are a fairly common and sometimes extremely prolific and damaging pest in homes or gardens. Although there are many commercially-available traps, repellents and baits that can be utilized to control rodents, consider controlling rodents like mice with an approach that is less likely to have a negative impact on the surrounding environment and children and pets that come into contact with it. One possible solution is the use of lavender or other herbs to repel these pests.
If your green thumb isn't as green as you'd like it to be, the nutrient and pH levels in your soil might be to blame. While you could spend your paycheck having your soil analyzed professionally, you'll save yourself time and money by analyzing your own soil samples from home with a soil testing kit. Kits designed for home use allow you to test for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium levels in your garden's soil, as well as for the pH, or acidity level, that dictates how well your plants are able to use the nutrients in the soil. Once you…
Fabric shower curtains grow mildew and mold if they are exposed to moisture on a regular basis without a protective liner. Although vinyl shower curtains are waterproof, they are may not enhance your bathroom decor the way a cloth shower curtain can. Display and protect your fabric shower curtain by gluing a vinyl shower curtain onto the back of it. This enables you to keep using the cloth shower curtain you enjoy, while preventing mildew and mold from developing on it at the same time.
Blue powder dye is usually found commercially through professional manufacturers such as RIT or Rose Art. However, you can make a powder dye at home using some household items you likely already have on hand. These homemade powers are straight-forward and simple but often are not permanent dye options. If you’re looking to pass time with a craft project or fabric item that does not need to outlast the natural fading tendencies of time and weather, consult your pantry shelves for dye ingredients.
Fluorescent light fixtures are equipped with a ballast designed to regulate the current between the light sockets. The sockets transfer the electricity to the light bulbs by way of metal pins attached to the ends of the bulbs. A black, oily substance that leaks from the ballast is a common symptom of a defective ballast, as are flickering lights or a humming sound emanating from the fixture. Replacing the ballast is a fairly straightforward job, but you should compare the cost of a new ballast with the cost of a new fixture before proceeding.
If you find ants in your home, take immediate action to eliminate them. Ants can contaminate your food and burrow holes in the wood in your home, and some have painful bites that can cause allergic reactions. If you prefer to keep toxic insecticides out of your home, you have several options for natural ant killers. One option is to mix pure vanilla extract with isopropyl alcohol. The sweet scent of the vanilla will attract the ants while acting as a natural air freshener, and the alcohol in the vanilla extract together with the isopropyl alcohol will kill the ants.
Window air-conditioning units are ideal for cooling apartments or other small properties where space is limited. Hooking up the unit to a suitable power supply is imperative; the household circuit could become overloaded and pose a fire risk if the AC isn't connected properly. Understanding whether your air-conditioning unit is suitable for use with an extension cord helps to reduce the chances of a dangerous electrical fault occurring.
If you use a stove without a vent hood in your home, it would be wise to install one. Vent hoods remove food odors and smoke during cooking, but their more important role is to eliminate the buildup of natural gas and carbon monoxide produced by the range. All the air that's removed by a range vent needs to be ventilated out of the kitchen, and choosing the right material for the duct work that removes the air is one of the keys to using your vent hood to its fullest effect.
The Carludovica species of flowering plants comprise more than 80 separate varieties found throughout Central and South America. It is often referred to simply as Peruvian fan or the jungle drum plant. The leaves of this plant species are used to make Panama hats. This palm-like species requires moist, warm and humid conditions. It is not suitable for outdoor growing in the United States except for the very warmest of locations. Even then, it should be brought indoors for the winter months. For most of the rest of the country, to care for a Peruvian fan plant means indoor growing.
HCI stands for Healthcare Information. The company has been manufacturing TVs for hospitals and the healthcare industry in general since the 1970s. The TVs allow patients to entertain themselves, pass the time and stay connected to current events during hospital stays. The TVs come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, from personal bedside TVs to larger TVs mounted on walls and ceilings. However, problems can arise from various HCI TVs.
Cooker hood installers cover the hood's flue pipe with fire-rated duct insulation, often called a duct blanket. The insulation has a woven fiberglass or mineral wool core that acts as a thermal barrier, and a foil outer liner, which serves as a vapor barrier. The insulation's core prevents any combustible materials surrounding the flue from igniting and the vapor barrier stops moisture from condensing on the flue pipe's exterior surface. If moisture condenses on the flue, the inner core absorbs the water and loses its thermal resistance.
IKEA Billy shelves are made from particleboard covered in a plastic laminate. Cutting such material requires care and attention to detail because plastic laminates chip easily, potentially leaving rough, unattractive edges. The popularity of "hacking" IKEA furniture to create bespoke items such as mirrored tables and impressive pet homes has led to increased customization of Billy bookcases and shelving.
Flexible ducts are an economical choice for piping heat throughout a building, due to the ease of installation and reduced labor costs. Installed improperly, however, flexible ducts can sharply reduce your furnace's efficiency and raise your energy bill. When installing flexi ducts, always extend the duct to its fullest length, use short lengths, support the ducts at least every 5 feet, never drape the ducts over pipes or joists and never bend or kink the duct more than the duct's diameter centerline radius.
Textured walls help hide imperfections, such as dents, scratches and gouges. You don't need to be a professional painter to create textured walls. With a little practice, you can create textured walls in your home by using items found in your household, such as tissue paper, plastic bags, an old paintbrush, a sponge and a squeegee.
