Port, Starboard, Forward and Aft: February 2011

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Cheap...cheap.. cd player from Yamaha CDX490 !

I was delighted to get hold of this cd player for RM150/-..all the while wanting a Yamaha cd player to compliment with my Yamaha receiver RXV490.

It works well except the remote control was missing. Anyway I already place an order in the e-bay..should be receiving it in 2-3 weeks.

The sound quality was excellent, all these years I've been playing my audio cd's on a dvd player and to own a good Yamaha cd player will cost me my arm's and leg's. The Yamaha cdx490 is not a high end cd player and for RM150/-...its value for money and perform well to my liking.

Now, should I buy a tube buffer?

Monday, February 21, 2011

My Elite 150

My scooter expenses as above..touch RM252.00. Now the ride on the 7 year old scooter feels great, no doubt the bill do bore slightly big hole in my wallet.

All bulbs on the scooter was replace as the rectifier has gone kaput for few months. I can't ride my scooter during the night and to source for original rectifier took few months.

The CVT belt served me well over 2 years. It does looks good with no cracks sighted. My daily ride covers approx. 45km.

The old rectifier...according to the mechanics, this rectifier is not original! I have no answer for that. As I know, this is my 1st time replacing such items.

The old roller...served me well over 3 years. Now it has some flat spots that prevent it from moving freely. The new roller weight 18grams per piece seems to perform well.

Only speedo meter cables is not in the picture.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Voltage Stabilizers

I thought I have the best Voltage Stabilizer as I have bought it from Low Yatt forummer that claims his VS is 90,000micro farad. Its a home made VS and performs relative well, cost only RM150.00

But recently I came across another VS..34 millions micro farad thats 380 times more than my VS!!...

So, will this VS improved the whole electrical flow on my car?? Thats my SGD400 question. According to the owner it works well on his car but not sure if it will improved on the ICE as he dont have any ICE fitted in his car. I'm drooling with this VS..34 millions micro farad.

Vehicles with TV screens

Reported in The Star...
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2011%2F2%2F6%2Fnation%2F8012643&sec=nation

Many car owner will be penalised and many seller will get away..Was there any research done to confirm that having LCD screen are the cause of many accidents? Which research house that has done the survey? How come the US Road Transport Authority never take into action and banned the selling of this accident cause equipment? They should be more pro alert as compare to our local JPJ ..right! We have to look at way to reduce accidents not penalizing car owners for something that they are not aware off. Owners have spend thousand of RM for such video player system and its not logical to say car owners will tend to view the lcd screen while driving. Many fitted them for their children, its not easy to drive when your children yelling,screaming,shouting or playing at the back seat.

If JPJ wish to have this equipment removed from all cars..please banned this item from being sold at all accessory shops as well factory fitted. Once its consider as accident prone equipment it should cover all areas.

Petrol pump risk

All this years I thought the nearer the petrol pump to your house is much better until I saw this news:
http://www.dailychilli.com/news/9511-petrol-pumps-fuel-cancer-risks

Petrol stations seem to increase the risk of cancer, especially those situated within 100 metres of residential areas, according to a Spanish study.
Researchers from Spain's University of Murcia (UM) have discovered higher-than-usual levels of contamination in properties in proximity to pump forecourts.

"Some airborne organic compounds - such as benzene, which increases the risk of cancer - have been recorded at petrol stations at levels above the average levels for urban areas where traffic is the primary source of emission" said Marta Doval, co-author of the study and a researcher at the UM.
In Spain it is relatively common to come across petrol stations surrounded by houses, particularly in urban areas.

The study, which has been published in the Journal of Environmental Management, shows that the air at petrol stations and in their immediate surroundings is above all affected by emissions stemming from evaporated vehicle fuels (unburnt fuels from fuel loading and unloading operations, refuelling and liquid spillages).

The research showed that a "minimum" distance of 50 metres should be maintained between petrol stations and housing, and 100 metres for "especially vulnerable" facilities such as hospitals, health centres, schools and old people's homes.

"Ideally, the 100 metre distance should be respected in plans for building new houses", says Doval.

Source: Agencies

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Hyundai Matrix Soundproof

I have installed soundproof foam a few years back. That time I used a non-self adhesive foam and apply a double sided tape just to cut cost.But cost cutting has cost me dearly...the installation did not last as expected. The foam sheets collapes as seen below. No idea how long it lasted..maybe 24 hours or only 1 year!

With some extra sheets self adhesive insulflex left over, I apply it again on all the 4 doors. This should really stick them properly.

All door panels are covered with foam sheet applied in the earlier installation. No issue about them.

At the same time check my speakers..hmmm...does looks ok after 5 years of blasting!! No peeling or cracks. However the speaker cables..whole system needs to be upgrade...thinking of Mogami cables!