Tag Archives: Electricity

Electric Scooters Help Save the Environment And Your Budget

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One of the many advantages of electric scooters is their cost-efficiency, and not only from the way they avoid the gas pump altogether. In addition to this, electric scooters are much cheaper to purchase than a second vehicle, and often more enjoyable than riding a bike, though that depends on personal taste. Here are some other advantages to using these economic vehicles you may have overlooked.

1. State Driver’s License Not Required
This alone is a big savings for many families, but there’s no need to get a state-issued driver’s license with many scooters. This will depend on individual laws as well as the type of scooter purchased, usually to do with speed and safety. But for the majority of Americans, a license is not required to operate an electric scooter.

2. No Need for Insurance
This again will depend on the state in question, but most states will not require insurance on smaller scooters. Be sure to check with local authorities first. Many will find they can save hundreds a year because of this fact alone.

3. No Need For Maintenance
There are some minor things to take care of such as lubricating the wheels and keeping the tires inflated, depending on the type of tires. For the most part, there is no “tune up” on an electric scooter of any sort, simply plug the rechargeable battery in for the night and be ready the next day.

4. Zero Emissions
This is obvious but bears restating – an electric motor scooter doesn’t produce any harmful smog, a detriment to the environment as well as those with asthma and other breathing complications. No “smog checks” to worry about, either.

5. Lightweight, Portable
Many electric-powered scooters will be fold-able, so you can carry them with you on public transportation, for example. With the ease of use, they can extend your range and help you get around more conveniently than many cars will. And parking is never an issue with a scooter – you can always bring it inside the office with you if need be (depending on the model).

These are just five reasons you should love electric scooters, not to mention you can help save the environment and save your budget. Now the trouble is simply finding a model you can invest in that won’t let you down. The trick here is battery life, and overall riding experience. See below for some recommendations.

Building an Electric Vehicle (EV) With a Kit

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If you are looking for a way to save money on your motoring expenses, then one option you may be considering is buying an electric car. The cost of pure electric cars is quite high however, but did you know almost any vehicle can be converted from conventional fuel to electric. It is possible for you to undertake this project at home if you have basic mechanical knowledge, and some tools. There are two options, you can either buy a kit or get some plans. Read on to find out which option is the right choice for you.

Kit contains everything you need:

If you decide to buy a kit one advantage is that it will provide everything you need. Most kit suppliers will provide help on the telephone, or on-line, if you get lost. You may even be able to have someone complete the conversion for you.

Getting better all the time:

As more people take up the challenge more knowledge is amassed, because of this the kits are getting better all the time. You may even be able to get one tailor-made for the donor vehicle you are converting.

Can be expensive:

This help and ease of construction comes at a price however, as a result these kits are not cheap. They will still work out cheaper than buying a factory produced electric vehicle, but if you factor in your time and effort they may start to seem less desirable.

Get some plans:

For the budget conscious home converter there are many great plans available. These may not come with the same support, and you will have to source all the materials, but the cost of the plans will be minimal. Many will still have online help, especially if you find them online in the first place, plus you may find forums dedicated to electric car converters, where many like-minded enthusiasts will be only too pleased to offer advice.

Scavenge batteries:

The great thing about building your own from plans is that you will be able to pick up cheap or free batteries for your project. Many of the plans available will give you tips on where to find these, and how to recondition them when you get them home. As batteries are one of the big expenses during your conversion this will save you a lot.

Find cheap motors:

The motor you will use is a series wound DC motor, as these kinds of motor have many commercial uses other than vehicles, it is possible to pick up scrap ones for very little, or reconditioned ones for a bit more. Again good plans will tell you where to look. these motors are very strong and last for ages so used versions are not a risky option.

The choice you make will depend on your level of technical ability, and your budget. Building an electric vehicle with a kit may be the easiest option, but using plans can give you a finished product for a minimal cost. Whatever route you choose you will end up with a car you can be proud of, that is cheap to run, and will save the planet too.

Functional Electrical Stimulation Reduces ACL Rehabilitation Time

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Functional Restoration Reduces Rehabilitation Times After ACL Repair

For years there has been considerable controversy as to why “Russian Stimulation” or what is referred to as “Dr. Kots” type stimulation increases muscle bulk and strength in athletes. There has been very little documented, peer reviewed study on what has become and, is becoming, a new aspect of rehabilitation medicine.

Let’s take a specific type injury, ACL surgery to repair, replace or transplant ligament. Generally speaking most people anticipate a very long time period of discomfort, weakness and limited range of motion, based upon the historical methods of treating anterior cruciate ligament repair or replacements (hence ACL). Many injured anticipate 8 – 9 months minimum, however more realistic today is 8- 9 weeks. In the medical community the treatment is for tissue damage, whereas in the athletic world they have taken well conditioned athletes and improved their performance using treatments that complement rehabilitation procedures. The athletic trainer tries to increase muscle strength, torque, quickness for winning competitions. Following ACL repairs the same concepts are needed.

Here is a simplified version of what is going on when functional restoration electrotherapy is used in both of the above situations.

The natural movement in our body is to enlist the smaller diameter muscle fibers first, followed by recruiting the larger diameter muscle fibers last. The coordinated recruitment provides us with a smooth movement, not a jerky non functioning movement. With the use of functional electrical stimulation we do the exact opposite. With external sources of electricity the first fibers to fire are the larger diameter fibers. If the electrical current from the electric stimulation machine is high then after recruiting the larger diameter motor nerves then the smaller diameter nerves are recruited. The effect is to have more motor fibers recruited using functional stimulation and volitional exercises than one would have with solely volitional exercising.

The decreased time period to restore strength and full range of motion is reduced because of the electro stimulation actually stimulating more motor nerves. The use of functional electrical restoration can not stand alone by itself as being beneficial, unless the patient actually is willing to do the exercises, including the painful process to restore full range of motion. It’s a given that without pain there is no gain, however pain will always be there whether one exercises or not. If not the pain is there, except it is extended for longer periods of time. With a cooperative patient doing the exercises and using functional electrical stimulation there is pain as one gains but the time period is cut by 30 – 70%. Worth the effort.

See video.