What does it matter if I don’t convert to LED lights?

28 Thursday Mar 2013

Posted by in Business Tips, Energy Saving, LED Lighting

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Like most of us, I find myself skeptical of trying new things until I have a reason. Over the years I have been fortunate to travel around the world and a few years ago I was at a Trade Show in China and spotted a new type of light, LED’s. I was intrigued but not to the point of spending the money on these “high-priced” bulbs for my own home.

A few months ago, we were approached by a local company who features LED lights. We were given the opportunity to try them and to our surprise, they really do save substantial dollars on electric. Our building is now being outfitted with T8 style bulbs to replace the old florescent bulbs. An additional benefit with the new bulbs, carbon fiber tubes, so no breakage or shattering of the bulb, no ballast replacement since the new bulbs are taking current directly.

I am amazed with the longevity of the bulbs. The ones we are installing have an estimated 50,000 hour life and could be longer depending on use. That means in 20-30 years someone else will have to install new ones. Who knows what technology will be like then.

I am attaching this comparison sheet of LED vs Florescent vs Incandescent bulbs. It is an eye-opener.

A few key points to remember:

1 – Check the manufacturer of the bulbs. There are some world-class ones and some knock-offs.

2 – Don’t let price be the final decision point. Most bulbs are within $3-5 dollars but quality of the bulb, life expectancy and projected hours are key calculations.

As a disclaimer – we do offer LED lights & bulbs through a corporate partner, CKS Energy Solutions. 

The “Faux” Jeff Gordon Pepsi Max Ad

14 Thursday Mar 2013

Posted by in Creative Uses

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Been reading lots of comments about the “staged” web ad that features Jeff Gordon disguised as someone else going for a test drive of a used Camaro in a Pepsi Max commercial.

Well, here’s my 2 Cents! I don’t care if it was staged or not…it was funny! Wasn’t the purpose of the ad to create a buzz surrounding the product while delivering a memorable experience for the viewer/consumer? I think they met their goal. Over 7 million views in about a 48 hour window is pretty amazing.

When was the last time you went to an action movie and the actors performed all their own stunts? Now critics are blasting Jeff for not being the driver who performed all the skills in the ad.

It’s hard to please everyone I suppose. What happened to just enjoying something for what it is and not having to be judgmental and nitpick it to death?

Enjoy the spot!

New Products to Consider

12 Tuesday Mar 2013

Posted by in Around the shop, Business Tips, Creative Uses, Energy Saving, LED Lighting, Main

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Sometimes you come across products by accident that intrigue the mind. Not long ago I found such a company with a unique product mix. As I have grown older, traveled the world, experienced new concepts and seen old ideas in action, I have learned to appreciate my childhood & our lifestyle in a better light.

I grew up on a farm in Kentucky, living close to my grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and friends in a small community. Everyone knew each other, helped as needed, provided food, clothes and supplies without hesitation. We always raised too big a garden, canned extra, filled the smokehouse with meat and kept too many chickens. In the summer when the garden started to produce and the eggs were overflowing, grandpa would load his pickup with the “excess” and head to town to distribute to the elderly and shut-ins, the “preacher’s family” and anyone who was in need. I can remember many a trip, helping to lift the bushel basket loaded with vegetables, eggs, milk, jellies and preserves and the joy of seeing the face of my grandpa & grandma as they shared the bounty of the land. They never asked for anything in return, just the joy of giving to whomever needed it.

The reason I tell the story is to give you a sense of what can happen when we reflect on our roots, draw from our experience and apply it to our lives today.

As I mentioned at the top, I ran across a company whose products intrigue me. Everyone knows we need to be responsible for leaving this world a better place for the next generation. To those ends, I find that bringing to market new technology for saving energy is a key driver in helping conserve the planet. I am not a “tree-hugger” but I do feel that it’s important to utilize resources wisely.

LED lighting brings a whole new dimension to our lives. The savings on electric costs, the environmental impact vs bulb technology is staggering as well as the overall savings to the natural resources in oil, gas, coal and hydro. LED technology can save 40-80% in normal costs vs today’s bulb lights which in turn creates substantial savings in the long run. Cost of the LED bulbs are higher initially but they last 3-5x times longer and could be longer depending on usage. http://ckssolution.com/led.html

A new innovation to cost savings is the introduction of the ESS-Force unit. The unit attaches to the electric leads in the power box and creates a “smoothing” effect for the electric output. This creates savings in a number of ways but primarily helping in making electric more efficient. It is explained more thoroughly on the CKS Solution website. The unique patented concept has been in use outside the USA market for a few years and has documented research to substantiate the savings.

If you’re interested in learning more about these products, contact me.

Being in the forefront of new ideas is an exciting concept and keeps one young!

 

When God Created a Submariner

20 Wednesday Feb 2013

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ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF OUR SUBMARINE GROUP POSTED THIS ON THE SITE AND I THOUGHT IT WORTHY OF RE-POSTING TO THE BLOG. I AM AN OLD SUBMARINER, HAVING SERVED DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE COLD WAR ON A FAST ATTACK BOAT. WE HAD A NUMBER OF THRILLING ADVENTURES ALONG THE WAY, ENOUGH TO GET THE ADRENALINE FLOWING AT A HIGH LEVEL.

I hope you enjoy the read. Spadefish-668

At the Groton Sub Vets Holland Club monthly Luncheon the guest speaker was Captain Jane F. Vieira. For half of her career she has served as a Submarine Force Chaplain. She will be retiring at the end of the month. I think after reading what she prepared for today you will see how special she is.
When God Created a Submariner

15 May 2012

When the good Lord created a Submariner, it was almost 2300 on the sixth day. An angel appeared and said, “You’re having a lot of trouble with this one. What’s wrong with the standard model?”

And the Lord replied, “Have you seen the specs on this order? It has to be able to think independently, yet be able to take orders; have the qualities of both a scientific mind and a compassionate heart; be able to mentor juniors and learn from seniors; run on black coffee; handle emergencies without a Damage Control Manual, respond competently to critical incidents, decipher cryptographic codes, understand pneumatics, hydraulics and sonar, have the patience of a saint and six pairs of hands, not to mention the strength of three its size.”

The angel shook its head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands – - No way!”

And the Lord answered, “Don’t worry, we’ll make other Submariners to help. Besides it’s not the hands which are causing the problem. It’s the heart. It must swell with pride when a Shipmate earns his Silver Dolphins – which above all else signifies the crew members trust it with their lives, sustain the incredible hardship of life at sea in a steel tube, beat on soundly when it’s too tired to do so, and be strong enough to continue to carry on when it’s given all it had.”

“Lord,” said the angel touching the Lord’s sleeve gently, “Stop! It’s almost midnight!”

“I can’t,” said the Lord. “I’m so close to creating something unique. Already I have one whose hands blend knowledge with skill to perform the most intricate procedures, yet are strong enough to patch a ruptured seawater pipe; whose ears can discern the sonar sounds of a myriad of ocean life, yet detect the slightest shift in ventilation; whose mind can (perfect the art of Diesel Electric “Smokeboats”) and practice the science of nuclear submarining, yet not lose sight of the art of teamwork; and whose eyes can peer through a periscope to identify a hull down ship, yet search within to embrace and personify honor, courage and commitment.”

The angel circled the model of the Submariner very slowly. “It’s too serious,” the angel sighed.

“But tough,” said the Lord excitedly. “You cannot imagine what this Submariner can do or endure.”

“Can it feel?” asked the angel.

“Can it feel! It loves Ship, Shipmates and Country like no other!”

Finally the angel bent over and ran a finger across the Submariner’s cheek. “There’s a leak,” pronounced the angel. “I told you you’re trying to put too much into this model.”

“That’s not a leak,” said the Lord. “It’s a tear.”

“What’s it for?” asked the angel.

“It’s for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, frustration and pride!”

“You’re a genius!” exclaimed the angel.

The Lord looked pleased and replied, “I didn’t put it there.”

Filled with pride, the Lord continued, “Great things are planned for this Submariner. It will be one of many and together they will lead a legacy of excellence like none has known before.”

And with that the Lord rested. It was the seventh day.

CAPT Jane F. Vieira Chaplain Corps, United States Navy

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