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Compressed air hoses are powerful tools for workers in a variety of industries. While their power can speed up the pace of work, they can be extremely dangerous if used past their prime. A few key signs indicate when it is time to replace a compressed air hose.

Kinking

If a compressed air hose is permanently kinked, it is time to replace the hose. A backup of compressed air at the kinked area could lead to an explosion, which could be deadly.

Fraying or Cracking

The fraying of the protective fabric surrounding a compressed air hose -- or the cracking of the rubber if no fabric is present -- is a sign that the compressed air hose needs to be replaced. The rapid escape of compressed air from a hole in the hose can cause serious injury to workers and bystanders.

Bending

If a compressed air hose is bent, it needs to be replaced as soon as possible. Bending of a compressed air hose can drastically alter the air flow and potentially create an accident leading to serious injury.

Pressure Ratings

Each compressed air hose is rated to withstand a maximum pounds per square inch in air pressure. If a compressed air hose is not rated to withstand the compressor it is fitted to, it is time to replace the hose.

Maintenance

Compressed air hoses should be cleaned regularly using soapy water, not kerosene or other flammable material. After cleaning, make sure the compressed air hose is completely purged. While doing maintenance work on the compressed air hose, make sure the compressor or other equipment is attached to is turned off.

Most cars built today offer multiple ways to access the trunk. Remote controls, keys and manual trunk releases all allow access to the trunk compartment. When one or more of these methods becomes impossible due to a bad or lost key, accessing the trunk can be more of a challenge. However, there are ways to get into the trunk in desperate situations.

Instructions

1

Locate the trunk release button or latch located near the driver seat. Most current vehicles have a manual trunk release. The release is usually located on the left floorboard near the driver seat, on the driver door below the armrest area or on the dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.

2

Fold down the back seat to access the trunk area and crawl into the trunk and pull the manual safety release. All vehicles built since 2002 are required to have a glow-in-the dark manual safely release in the trunk to prevent children or others from being accidentally locked in.

3

Contact a locksmith or your auto dealer. A locksmith will be able to pop open the lock and may be able to get a new key made for the lock. A dealership may be be able to create or order a new key if provided the vehicle identification number and proof of ownership. If the passenger compartment is also locked and inaccessible, contacting the dealer or a locksmith will help prevent damage being caused to the vehicle during attempts to get inside.

There may come a time when you need to jump start or change a car battery. Consumers should understand the complex chemical properties that occur in a charging battery, including the risk of explosive gases.

Chemicals

Batteries contain sulfuric acid mixed with lead plates. Sulfuric acid is hazardous; it burns through most clothing and may burn through your skin. Warning signs on batteries state that the acid may shoot toward your eyes, causing blindness.

Reaction

Most of the chemical compounds in a battery are in a water solution. The water solution causes a chemical reaction with the sulfuric acid. The reaction creates electrons, which are absorbed by the lead plates.

Emission

Hydrogen gas is created in the immediate area of the charging battery. This is not a concern to anyones health, but hydrogen is very flammable. A direct open flame may cause an explosion, destroying the battery and harming anyone working on the car.

The Ford F350 is a truck that many people use to get around in rugged terrain or haul trailers. If you have an F350 that will not start after the engine is hot, you probably have something wrong with your coolant levels or coolant system. You dont have to be a mechanic to get your F350 running again, but a professional should handle major repairs. Troubleshooting the issue yourself could save you money if you the problem is minor.

Instructions

1

Turn the F350 off if it is overheating. You will be able to tell from the temperature gauge on the dashboard. Allow the truck to sit for three to four hours. Open the hood to allow the engine to cool faster.

2

Look over the coolant levels in your cooling system while the hood is open. The coolant will be labeled on the tank. This is located on the left side of the engine. Look for the fill lines on the coolant tanks and make sure that you have enough coolant in the system.

3

Use a funnel to pour more coolant into the tank. Coolant can be purchased at auto shops or your local grocery store. Make sure that you get the 50/50 coolant mixture. If you dont have access to any coolant, you can use distilled water in the meantime.

4

Look underneath the truck for any leaks. This could be coming from your trucks water pump. Have a professional replace the water pump, as this is a very complicated procedure.

A car engine refusing to start can be any number of issues. A car that wont start in the rain can still be any number of issues, but it gives you a place to start looking.

Spark Plug

The most common reason for a car not starting in the rain is found in the spark plugs. Wire insulation can wear thin and this causes the voltage to arc to the metal of the car engine rather then going into the spark plug. You can check for this visually by opening the hood when its wet outside and trying to start the car. You might be able to see an arc from the spark plug wires.

Distributor Cap

The second most common issue is the distributor cap. Take a good physical examination of your distributor cap for any signs of a cracks. Also remove the distributor cap and check the inside of it for moisture. If you find any, wipe it clean; it wont work while wet.

Other Issues

If a check of the spark plugs and the distribution cap has not solved your problem, then you have a bigger issue. There are dozens of other reasons a car wont start, from battery corrosion to a fuel filter issue keeping gas from reaching the engine. Though few of these other issues will only affect your vehicle during the rain.

Since its introduction to the automotive world in the 1940 Packard, air-conditioning systems have been through many changes. The most drastic change was the shift from R12 to R134a, due to environmental concerns. When you turn on the air conditioner by pressing the power button and turning on the fan, you expect to hear the compressor kick on. There are six main reasons for the compressor not to turn on when you expect it to.

Incorrect Charge Level

All air-conditioning systems use a refrigerant to cool the cabin of the vehicle -- either R134a or R12. All post-1996 vehicles use R134a and prior to that, most vehicles used R12 refrigerant, commonly called Freon. The air-conditioning system requires a specific amount for refrigerant to run without causing damage. If the charge is low, most cars cut off power to the compressor to keep it from turning on.

Failed Pressure Sensor

Air-conditioning systems are under high pressure -- some exceed 200 psi. If the system has too much or too little pressure, damage may occur. Most modern vehicles use an air-conditioning pressure switch to monitor the pressures and cut power to the compressor if the pressures are incorrect. If this switch fails, no power can get to the compressor and it will not turn on.

Failed Wiring

The air-conditioning systems in all cars have a series of power and ground wires. If one of these wires fails, the compressor cannot receive power and will not turn on. This failed wiring can also cause additional problems with your vehicle.

Failed Air Conditioning Switch

To engage the air conditioner, you must press a switch inside the vehicle. If the electronics inside this button fails, the compressor will not turn on, as it will not receive power.

Blown Fuse

As with all electric systems in vehicles, there is a fuse that protects the compressor from power overload, typically 10 to 30 amps. If the amperage exceeds the limits of the fuse, it will break the circuit and the compressor will no longer receive power.

Failed Compressor

The compressor has a clutch on the front that engages and disengages as you turn the air conditioning on and off. If this clutch fails, it causes the compressor to either lock up or spin freely. If the latter is true, the compressor cannot turn on, as the power is not transferring from the drive belt to the compressor. If the former is true, the pulley locks up with the compressor and you will hear a loud screeching sound from the belt spinning on the stuck pulley.

Modern car air conditioning systems have a low-pressure switch that shuts down power to the system in the event of a systems malfunction. Low refrigerant pressure can damage the compressor, but the switch will instantly shut down the system to prevent damage to the compressor. The U.S. government requires R-12 refrigerants to be replaced with a more environmentally friendly chemical known as R-134A. To save on time and labor, the pressure switch in your car air conditioning system can be changed while youre converting from R-12 refrigerant to R-134A since both tasks require removal of the existing refrigerant.

Instructions

1

Read your car service manual to know the location of the low-pressure switch in your car air conditioning system. Various car models have various switch locations.

2

Open the hood of your vehicle, or look under the dash board and pinpoint the exact location of the switch. Look at the switch and determine the size of wrench that you will need to unscrew it later.

3

Drive your car to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified professional licensed to recover R-12 refrigerant, then have the professional remove the R-12 chemical from your car air conditioning system.

4

Open the hood of your vehicle, or go under its dash board to access the pressure switch once the R-12 refrigerant recover process has been completed. Unplug the electrical wire connector plugged onto the tip of the switch, then unscrew the old low-pressure switch, using a wrench.

5

Slip the new o-ring supplied with the pressure switch onto the new switch, then screw the new switch clockwise onto the fitting. The o-ring seals gap between the switch and the fitting to avoid any refrigerant leakage.

6

Plug the wire connector you removed earlier onto the terminals at the tip of the switch, then wipe the base of the switch dry with a dry rag.

7

Tell the EPA certified professional to proceed with refilling the air conditioning system with the new R-134A refrigerant. Start your car and turn on your car air conditioner once the refilling process has been completed. Look at the switch after driving the vehicle with your air conditioner running to check if it has any leaks. Tighten the switch a little bit more if there is a leak.