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Thinking about marine water makers? Here’s a question: let’s say you’re stranded somewhere in the ocean. You’re all out of fresh water and the sun’s rays are bearing down on you. Soon, you will be dying of thirst. Wait a second…couldn’t you just reach down into the ocean and scoop up some ocean water? Isn’t all water drinkable?

The answer is yes and no. True, you do have the ability to drink ocean water. It’s not going to set your insides on fire like acid would. However, the issue is that of long-term health. Ocean water contains very high salt content, the likes of which your kidneys are not made to naturally process. We’ll get to marine water makers in just a moment, but first consider the truth about ocean water.

Contrary to what you might have heard already, drinking ocean water is not fatal in of itself. Some people have accidentally consumed small quantities of ocean water and have not suffered any ill effects. This is probably because they drank fresh water to counteract the over-intake of salt. On the other hand, people who drank lots of ocean water and did not drink more fresh water to go along with it probably felt the effects of dehydration and diarrhea. This results because drinking ocean water is counterproductive. You need more water to be able to excrete the large amount of salt in your body. If all you put in your body is ocean water, you will quickly become dehydrated.

This is why many boaters and yachters have invested in marine water makers. Marine water makers are devices that can turn ocean water into fresh water by desalinating it. There are three technologies to choose from: reverse osmosis (the most common), vacuum distillation and flash distillation. The process of desalination is similar to filtering but a more involved process that mainly eliminates dangerous inclusions like high salt. These devices are powered by batteries, engines, AC generators or even a person’s own hands.

These systems are not cheap, and for many years they were impractical to take aboard boats that were not very large cruisers or tankers. However, technology has improved and now portable marine water makers are being sold to leisure boaters and yachters who want to drink their own fresh water straight from the ocean. In some cases, this water supply might be the only supply available. What if a crew is miles and miles out to sea? What if a ship lands in a country or island where clean water isn’t available? You can see the advantages that marine water makers offer.

Some marine water makers are sold at prices as high as $4,000. Others are less expensive, perhaps falling into just a few hundred dollars. The quality of the reverse osmosis (or one of the other technologies) will dictate the price, as well as any extra features that might be available. Stay hydrated and safe with a marine water maker-the only safe way to drink water right from the ocean.

Devin Gilliland from BoaterSupply.com Provides Expert opinions and reviews to help you Compare marine electronics and raymarine autopilots.
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How to Use Cheap and Easy Solar Power

With escalating power bills and so much talk of renewable energy millions of people are thinking about solar power these days. Harnessing the sun’s energy makes sense because it is clean, green, and saves money in the long run Toshiba laptop battery . But the reality is that the cost involved with installing panels and collectors is still out of reach for the vast majority of homeowners. Fortunately there are some cheap and easy ways to make the sun work for you.

Use Passive Solar
Passive solar means simply using or blocking the sun’s rays to heat or cool your home for . This means that using your window coverings wisely can save you a ton on your power bills. Simply closing or angling your blinds to keep direct sunlight out can drop the interior temperature by 10 degrees. Try closing the window coverings on the south side of your house when you leave for the day during the summer months. Without the sun’s hot light shining in the windows adn Sony laptop battery, your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard. And in the winter of course doing the opposite can help heat your house. There tons of great looking blinds, awnings, and window films to help you harness or block the sun’s powerful rays.

Use Solar Exterior Lighting
Lighting the exterior of your home used to be tricky because you had to find a way to get power to the lights. But with the advancement in renewable power technology, these has gotten a lot easier. Solar garden lights, security lights, and area lights now come completely integrated with panel, battery, electronic eye, and lights. Installation is usually as easy as hanging a picture and the prices start at less than $50. So whether you are trying to put some accent lights in your garden, shed some light in your tool shed, or trying to brighten those dark steps, lights powered by the sun are a great alternative.

Get Portable Chargers
These days we carry so many battery electronic devices around with us it kind of feels like we are a walking Radio Shack . The hardest part is figuring out how to keep these things charged. Now there are cool-looking portable solar chargers that will keep your iPod or blackberry running in a pinch. They are lightweight, folding, and very durable to handle the rigors of travel and outdoors situations. And if you are indoors and in need of a quick charge most of them will work by simply them putting near a window.

Decorate Home and Garden
For your outdoor spaces, solar fountains lend a soothing touch to any setting. All they require is a little water and a sunny spot and they can surround you with pleasant sounds or keep your pond aerated i. Solar lamp post lights lend a nice touch to any entry area and tell your arriving guests you have good taste and care about the planet.

Get a Plug and Play Kit
If you need a small power source for your cottage RV, or to take with you into the wilderness, there are great options out there. There are solar power kits that include the panel, the electronics, instructions, and all the wiring you need to get started. For example, a kit could power a little stereo, light, and charging your phone down at the boathouse or out in the barn. Or they can keep your RV charged as you travel around the country. You’ll need a screwdriver, the ability to follow instructions, and a sunny place for the panel. Many of the kits start at less than $100 and for $500 you can get a nice little system and expand it later.

Jack is a battery expert in http://www.battery4.us

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