2005-09-30

Posted at 04:43 UT by Tamara

Broadcast Cable Series Schedule for Airings
December, 2005 and January, 2006
 
 

Broadcast Cable Series: Tamara Lynn Scott
Cable 27, Santa Cruz, California
Friday evenings, 5:30 p.m.

Series: Discovering the Universe

Segment 183: Interviews at Orion Telescopes with Ken Stablinsky
Friday, December 16th, 2005
 
 

Orion Telescopes & Binoculars is the largest multi-channel brand of quality optics for amateur astronomers and outdoor enthusiasts in North America.

Established in 1975, Orion has built their reputation on providing high-quality products backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, competitive prices, and the best customer service and support in the industry.

They've been selling direct since 1975 through a colorful mail-order catalog and, since 1997, via a full online catalog at www.OrionTelescopes.com.

Unlike web-only storefronts, or department stores that sell optics only seasonally, Orion specialises in telescopes and binoculars. Orion provides a highly trained sales and support staff who are knowledgeable about their products and willing and able to help make an appropriate buying decision, often assisting after the sale.

Experienced, informed and, perhaps uncharacteristically in this day and age, available to serve you person-to-person, Orion is located in central California in the Monterey Bay area, operating retail stores in Cupertino (at 10555 S. De Anza Blvd; 408-255-8770) and at their Watsonville headquarters office (89 Hangar Way; 831-763-7000).

Selected Orion products are available at finer astronomical dealers throughout the United States and internationally.

Broadcast Cable Series: Tamara Lynn Scott
Cable 27, Santa Cruz, California
Friday evenings, 5:30 p.m.

Series: Discovering the Universe

Segment 184: Interviews at Orion Telescopes with Rich Campbell
Friday, December 23rd, 2005
 
 

Broadcast Cable Series: Tamara Lynn Scott
Cable 27, Santa Cruz, California
Friday evenings, 5:30 p.m.

Series:FROM the GROUND UP – Creating Energy Self-Reliant, Environmentally Friendly, Homes and Systems

Segment 165:The Art Institute of San Francisco

with Craig Henritzy and featuring young Architects from around the world
Friday, December 30th, 2005
 
 

Broadcast Cable Series: Tamara Lynn Scott
Cable 27, Santa Cruz, California
Friday evenings, 5:30 p.m.

Series:FROM the GROUND UP Creating Energy Self-Reliant, Environmentally Friendly, Homes and Systems
with Craig Henritzy and Featuring young Architects from around the world
and Plan E, The Inca inspired,
Rastra Block Home,
curved like Pueblo Bonito,
with Model.
Friday, January 6th , 2006
 
 
 
 

Broadcast Cable Series: Tamara Lynn Scott
Cable 27, Santa Cruz, California
Friday evenings, 5:30 p.m.

Series: Great Chefs of the San Francisco Bay Area

Segment 185: Alameda at the Barceluna with John Ehlers

Friday, January 13th, 2006
 
 

Broadcast Cable Series: Tamara Lynn Scott
Cable 27, Santa Cruz, California
Friday evenings, 5:30 p.m.

Series: Great Chefs of the San Francisco Bay Area

Segment 186: Alameda at the Barceluna with John Ehlers
Friday, January 20th, 2006
 
 

2005-09-09

Posted at 00:24 UT by Tamara

Broadcast Cable Series: Tamara Lynn Scott
Cable 27, Santa Cruz, California
Friday evenings, 5:30 p.m.

Nationwide on all Public Access Cable Stations
 
 

See information on the Broadcasts at
http://TamaraLynnScottBroadcasts.blogspot.com

EcoTimber is coming into the series with it's Eco Friendly, Sustainable Forest Products.

Is Your Wood Really Eco-Friendly?

Don't Be Fooled.

Wood suppliers often make claims that their material comes from "managed" or "sustainable" forests, but without independent certification, there is no way to really know. Increasingly, such claims are used as a marketing ploy to "greenwash" material that came from destructive forestry practices.

The only forest certification system that enjoys the support of environmental groups worldwide is that of the Forest Stewardship Council ( FSC), which is independent, non-profit, and has a mechanism for tracking wood from the forest floor to the consumer. The U.S. Green Building Council only recognizes FSC certification as evidence of the sustainability of a non-recycled wood product.

If you want verification that the wood you are purchasing came from a truly well-managed forest, demand FSC-certified material, and demand proper documentation.

The fact that a company has Forest Stewardship Council ( FSC) certification does not mean that what they sell is FSC-certified.

Many companies who have FSC "Chain of Custody" ( COC) certification, which gives them the right to buy and sell FSC-certified wood, don't sell much FSC-certified material, if any.

This is particularly common with suppliers of tropical hardwood flooring and decking from South America.

To verify the FSC-certified status of a wood product, demand not only the supplier's COC certificate, but also an invoice or receipt detailing the FSC-certified status of each product on an individual line-item basis.

If the invoice's line-item doesn't say " FSC-certified", the material is not FSC-certified, no matter what the rest of the information provided by the supplier might indicate.

Just because a wood product is "certified"does not mean that it comes from an ecologically well-managed forestry operation.

There are now various types of forest certification, and most do not have strict environmental standards, enforcement mechanisms, and methods of tracking the wood through the supply chain to prevent misrepresentation.

Examples of questionable certification systems include:

Sustainable forestry Initiative (SFI) – funded by the North American timber industry – low environmental standards, no Chain of Custody.

ISO certification – international – standards address business practices rather than ecological issues, no Chain of custody.

IBAMA certification – a program of the Brazilian Government – low environmental standards, poorly enforced, no chain of Custody.

Other national certifications from countries such as Canada, Malaysia, and Indonesia – all have weak environmental standards and enforcement.

None of these certifications enjoy widespread support from environmental groups.

In addition, Ecotimber provides a well made line of Bamboo flooring which uses only top-quality, mature stalks, processing the Bamboo with methods proven through years of research and experience.

High Quality European Adhesives with a low-VOC are used which falls below strict E1 standards for indoor air quality, no off-gases.

All strips are cut perfectly and laminated tightly to ensure minimum movement and delamination, sourcing their materials from just one mill with state of the art European machinery.

Dried to 6-8% moisture content makes the flooring more stable and suitable for a wide range of climates.

EcoTimber Bamboo Flooring utilizes 6 foot lengths exclusively, rather than shorter lengthsin their planks. They finish with a high tech aluminum oxide enhanced acrylated urethane system, with hardened acrylic anti-scratch topcoats, which outperforms most finishes in abrasion and scratch-resistance tests.

Learn more about EcoTimber Products at www.ecotimber.com

Broadcast Cable Series FROM the GROUND UP, creating energy self-reliant, environmentally friendly, homes, gardens, systems, and transportation

2005-09-06

Posted at 19:24 UT by Tamara

Broadcast Cable Series: Tamara Lynn Scott
Cable 27, Santa Cruz, California
Friday evenings, 5:30 p.m.

Nationwide on all Public Access Cable Stations
 
 

Blue Sky Energy is coming into the series with it's innovative and efficient Charge Controllers to be installed in the Passive Solar Photovoltaic Energy System, with information in the following articles:

RV Power Products Introduces 48V MPPT Photovoltaic Charge Controller

RV Power Products has introduced the new Solar Boost™ 3048 Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) photovoltaic charge controller. The Solar Boost 3048 with it’s 48 volt 30 amp rating brings reliable cost effective MPPT charge control to 48 volt systems. Patented MPPT technology used in the Solar Boost line of charge controllers can increase battery charge current delivered from photovoltaic solar modules by up to 30% or more.

According to Richard A. Cullen of RV Power Products “The Solar Boost 3048 is a higher voltage higher power version of the very popular and successful Solar Boost 50, 24 volt 50 amp MPPT charge controller.

Although the Solar Boost 3048 is constructed in the same conduit ready package as the Solar Boost 50, a full 20% increase in power handling capacity is provided without cooling fans.

As with all Solar Boost charge controllers patented MPPT technology extracts more power from the solar module, and delivers the increased power in the form of higher charge current. An additional benefit of Solar Boost 3048’s power conversion technology is the ability to charge a 24 volt battery from a 48 volt solar module array in the same manner as a Solar Boost 50 can charge a 12 volt battery from a 24 volt array.

This capability reduces solar module wire size requirements for long runs, and can be used to eliminate temperature induced charge voltage reduction in very high ambient temperature installations.”

Solar Boost SB3048 includes three stage charge control, equalization, series pass Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) charge voltage control, and electronic current limit.

Available options include a built in digital display, remote digital display and temperature compensation.

RV Power Products designs and manufacturers MPPT charge controllers for 12 volt, 24 volt, and 48 volt applications. Product is sold through a variety of wholesale distributors throughout the US, Canada, and renewable energy companies internationally.

Contact RV Power Products in Encinitas, CA info@rvpowerproducts.com.

Maximum Power Point Tracking, frequently referred to as MPPT, is an electronic system that operates the Photovoltaic (PV) modules in a manner that allows the modules to produce all the power they are capable of.

MPPT is not a mechanical tracking system that “physically moves” the modules to make them point more directly at the sun.

MPPT is a fully electronic system that varies the electrical operating point of the modules so that the modules are able to deliver maximum available power.

Additional power harvested from the modules is then made available as increased battery charge current.

MPPT can be used in conjunction with a mechanical tracking system, but the two systems are completely different .

To understand how MPPT works, let’s first consider the operation of a conventional (non- MPPT) charge controller. When a conventional controller is charging a discharged battery, it simply connects the modules directly to the battery. This forces the modules to operate at battery voltage, typically not the ideal operating voltage at which the modules are able to produce their maximum available power.

The conventional controller simply connects the module to the battery and therefore forces the module to operate at 12V. By forcing the 75W module to operate at 12V the conventional controller artificially limits power production to 53W.

Rather than simply connecting the module to the battery, the patented MPPT system in a Solar Boost™ charge controller calculates the voltage at which the module is able to produce maximum power.

If the maximum power voltage of the module (VMP) is 17V. The MPPT system then operates the modules at 17V to extract the full 75W, regardless of present battery voltage.

A high efficiency DC-to-DC power converter converts the 17V module voltage at the controller input to battery voltage at the output. If the whole system wiring and all was 100% efficient, battery charge current in this example would be VMODULE VBATTERY x IMODULE, or 17V  12V x 4.45A = 6.30A. A charge current increase of 1.85A or 42% would be achieved by harvesting module power that would have been left behind by a conventional controller and turning it into useable charge current.

But, nothing is 100% efficient and actual charge current increase will be Typical 75W PV Module Power/Voltage/Current At Standard Test Conditions somewhat lower as some power is lost in wiring, fuses, circuit breakers, and in the Solar Boost charge controller.

Actual charge current increase varies with operating conditions.

The greater the difference between PV module maximum power voltage VMP and battery voltage, the greater the charge current increase will be.

Cooler PV module cell temperatures tend to produce higher VMP and therefore greater charge current increase. This is because VMP and available power increase as module cell temperature decreases.

Modules with a 25C VMP rating higher than 17V will also tend to produce more charge current increase because the difference between actual VMP and battery voltage will be greater.

A highly discharged battery will also increase charge current since battery voltage is lower, and output to the battery during MPPT could be thought of as being “constant power”.

What most people see in cool comfortable temperatures with typical battery conditions is a charge current increase of between 10 – 25%. Cooler temperatures and highly discharged batteries can produce increases in excess of 30%.

Customers in cold climates have reported charge current increases in excess of 40%. What this means is that current increase tends to be greatest when it is needed most; in cooler conditions when days are short, sun is low on the horizon, and batteries may be more highly discharged.

In conditions where extra power is not available (highly charged battery and hot PV modules) a Solar Boost charge controller will perform as a conventional PWM type controller.

Home Power Magazine has presented RV Power Products (now Blue Sky Energy, Inc.) with two Things-That-Work articles; Solar Boost 2000 in HP#73 Oct./Nov. 1999, and Solar Boost 50 in HP#77 June/July 2000,

Links to these articles can be found on the Blue Sky Energy, Inc. web site at www.blueskyenergyinc.com.