This is an aircraft being built at a Boeing plant. Amazing how it all goes to together. The Boeing technicians make it all look easy!

Aviation Mechanic Schools Worth it?

Aviation mechanic schools are gaining in popularity because aviation is an exciting career. Do you want a challenging yet rewarding career?Do you think you have the skills to become an airplane mechanic? You may be wondering how difficult it is to become an airline mechanic.

That is easy to answer and depends on a couple things. First, the most common way people become aircraft mechanic is to attend one of approx 170 aviation mechanic schools throughout the country. Another way it to gain the required experience from the military. Either way, you will most likely need the A&P license, or airframe powerplant to get a good job.  Find one of many aviation mechanic schools near you by using the advance search feature.

12v sump pump

Adding a 12v sump pump to a basement will give a homeowner piece of mind.   Basement floods are costly in both repairs and damage to personal belongings.     12v sump pumps make a great addition to the primary sump pump for the following reasons.

• Ease of installation
• Level of Automatic Protection
• Ease of Maintenance
• Cost

Installing a 12v sump pump can be daunting task for an inexperienced homeowner, but have no fear, they are straight forward to install.  Make sure all the required tools are available before the work starts.  Have everything laid out and ready.  A typical install should take around 30 minutes or so.   I once got a quote from a plumber for 300 dollars to install a sump pump, which I thought was outrageous!  Most systems will come with detailed instructions and phone support if help is needed.

The best feature of the 12v sump pump is that it is automatically protecting your basement.  The homeowner does not have to be home to turn anything on or start a generator.  It kicks on automatically if the power fails or even if the sump basin gets overwhelmed with water due to extreme rain.   The battery will give hours of protection.  If more time is needed, a second battery can be installed in parallel to the first to add more run time.   A good system will have a second redundant float switch that operates the 12v pump.

There are a few things the homeowner needs to check on periodically to ensure the system will work properly.  The first one being the battery.  Some batteries need to have distilled water added every few months or so.   If the water gets too low, the battery will get very weak.   A properly maintained battery should last 6-7 years.  Another thing to check for is the weep hole on the backup pump.  Some pumps require a weep hole which is drilled into the pipe before the check valve.  If the hole ever gets clogged, the pump will not pump any water because it is air locked.     It is a good idea to unplug the primary pump every once in awhile and let the basin fill with water, or add water if it will not fill on its own.  Let the 12v sump pump kick on and observe for proper operation.  Do this for a few cycles to make sure everything is functioning properly.

The cost of a 12v sump pump is minimal compared to a automatic backup generator.   Kits come with either a stand alone 12v sump pump or come as a combination sump pump.   It is a small price to pay for the high level of protection a backup sump pump will offer.

BWSP review

More of the review at 12v sump pump .net

Many people find themselves in a situation where they need a backup sump pump system.  If one lives in an area of the country that has a lot of rain or high water tables, basements are at risk for flooding.  A flooded basement can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage.  installing a backup sump pump system is a wise investment.  I will be discussing 3 options for a backup system.   A water powered backup sump pump has a lot of benefits.  This type does not require a separate 12v battery or power source.  The pump is usually installed near the ceiling of the basement near the floor joists.  A separate float in the sump triggers the pump which is powered by the city water supply.   This means that it requires city water.  A well water source needs electricity to power the pump and therefore if a power outage occurs, the basement is left unprotected.  That is why they are basically restricted to more urban areas or anywhere there is city water.  These systems are very reliable, there are few moving parts.  The pump uses venturi low pressure to draw water out of the sump and discharge it outside. A better option for the more rural population is a 12v  sump pump as a backup.  This type is usually either part of a combination system which utilizes two pumps.  One is 120v which is the primary pump.  The secondary pump is normally smaller and runs off 12v deep cycle battery.   A well designed system will have separate float switches for redundancy.  Depending on the battery installed, a backup pump can run intermittently for 2-4 hours.  It is also possible to install multiple batteries in parallel to increase the run time.  This system is also automatic which requires no special action from the home owner. During heavy rainfall, the backup will also kick on automatically to empty the sump If the pump begins to overflow for any reason, the backup will kick on.  There are also systems which can be installed along side a pre-existing sump pump instead of purchasing a combination unit. A third option for backup sump pump is a standby generator.  Having a generator provide power during outages are very handy however most need a homeowner to be home to switch the generator on.  Benefits of this system are that a generator can run for very long periods of time.    There are automatic house generators which power a portion of the house if power is lost.  These types can run off a number of fuels including propane, natural gas, gasoline and diesel.   This option is by far the most expensive however having electrical power means other devices can be operated as well, like the air conditioning.    Installing a backup system is a crucial step in avoiding costly damages associated with a flooded basements.  Having a system in place also require maintenance and upkeep to ensure the system will work when a power failure occurs. -

Read more at 12v sump pump

The float switch is triggers the sump pump to activate when the water reaches a certain level. Float switches are usually the part that fails first in a sump pump system.   There are 4 types of float switches typically used in backup sump pump systems

* The Tethered float is the most common in sump pump systems today because they are the cheapest.  They are also the most common to fail. In this type, the float actually floats with the water and when the water reaches a certain point, the switch is triggered.  Inside the switch is mercury which activates the switch at a predetermined angle.  This switch is best in a large sump crock since the switch requires more space.  Narrow crocks could cause the float to get stuck on the wall.

*  The vertical action switch uses a float, rod and switch.  The float pushes up on the road triggering the switch.They are also easily adjustable for most installations.  The only downside for the vertical switch is that it not well suited for deep sump crocks since the range of adjustment is somewhat limited.

* Electronic switches  are somewhat new in the sump pump market  There are a few different types.  One type uses a probe that goes into the crock pit.  Once the water reaches the probe, the switch is triggered.  Another type uses a caged float setup.  The float rises in the cage with the water triggering the switch.   The actual control for these types is outside the sump crock.  The advantage to these types are less moving parts.

* Diaphragm type switches work well in most situations however they are somewhat more costly.  The switch consists of a diaphragm that allows water to press against it.  When there is enough pressure from the rising water, the switch is activated.   These types work well in small sump crocks.  It is important to remember however, that this type is not adjustable.

Choosing a backup sump pump is an important task.  We trust our basements to these pumps and we expect a lot out of them.    Take the time to choose a proper pump for the job.  If you do not have a backup sump pump,  It is a good time to get one.   There are a lot of choices out there.

Gaining the advantage of a truly redundant system is the only way to go.  That is, the system obviously has a separate pump but it also has a separate float switch.  The secondary pump uses a 12V battery as a power source.   The battery should last 4-5 years if properly maintained.

Pumps are rated in horse power and will typically be in the size of 1/4 hp,  1/3 hp or 1/2 hp.  More importantly is how much water does the sump move in a given amount of time.  This rating is  Gallons Per Hour or GPH.

Some sump pump setups have a small weep in the pipes after the pump and before the check valve.  The backup pump will also have a weep hole. It’s important to remember that if this hole ever becomes clogged, then your backup pump will not function properly.   Debris in the water can clog this hole, so cleaning it out with a nail is a good idea once in awhile.   That is why it is important to do a functional check of the system quarterly to ensure proper operation.

Another area of concern is the outside of the house.  It is important to keep all gutter downspouts properly draining away from the foundation.   Run the discharge from the sump pump to the ditch if possible.  Some cities will not allow for discharge into the sew system as it becomes backed up during a storm.

Read more information at http://www.12vsumppump.net/

It always happens when your now home, the  sump pump fails, and your left with a foot of water.  It ruins everything is comes in contact with.