Coleman LX Central Air Conditioner

Overview of the LX

The COLEMAN AIR CONDITIONER is a single-stage central air conditioner available in three models. The TCJF is a single-phase, 16.5 SEER Energy Star qualified unit; the TCJD is a 13 SEER unit available in both single and three phase models; and the 15 SEER DEX is a compact unit available in both single and three phase models. LX units feature MicroChannel coil technology, which increases efficiency by allowing for a superior heat exchange surface.

Roughly 5 years ago we had a licensed, reputable a/c company install a completely new Coleman ac system in our house. Unfortunately, every year, the circuit board in the air handler would break down and require replacement. It has been replaced at least 4 times now. Our technician has taken several other steps, as directed by Coleman, to try and troubleshoot and resolve the issue over these years, none of which helped. It really comes down to this air handler being a lemon. Our technician has tried to get Coleman to be helpful and cooperate and understand that he has done everything possible to fix, yet, he has stated that, "Coleman is unwilling to to pay any of the labor or anything for that matter". This is extremely dissappointing from a customer service standpoint. Every year Coleman put off replacing the unit, and now they will do nothing. Very disappointed in this company, and will cease to buy any product from them from camping to everything else. This company does not back their product, And they prove that they are not willing to help even when it is obviously a product defect.

I have had this unit for six years and it's been a continuous nightmare Coleman has provided poor customer service and now that it is outside the original five year warranty they will do nothing. Even though they offered an extended warranty for another five years, because I did not fill out the paperwork for an extended warranty they dropped responsibility. If you have a warranty for 10 years then honor it. There's a reason that you offer it. Don't torture your customers in the filling out of extra paperwork. Coleman and their parent company are horrible. In six years I've had at least 20 service calls for this unit, it's been terrible. I would never purchase another.

Product Review: Troy-Bilt Pressure Washer

Spring is always a busy time of year, there are so many chores on the to do list. Some of these chores are TROY-BILT PRESSURE WASHER PARTS. Maintaining the fence and deck are definitely not on the fun list – and this year we have to stain both. The stuff that’s on the not-so-fun list tends to get put off again and again, and I am an excellent procrastinator!

But I was actually motivated and excited to prep the fence and deck for staining, because I got a shiny new toy…
Oh Yes, I Put This Pressure Washer To The TEST!

In addition to cleaning the fence and deck, we used the pressure washer to knock down some old wasp nests (Eek!), and it did the job no problem. I also used it to wash the siding on the house (which is a job I’m ashamed to admit we have never done). Wow, I couldn’t believe the gunk that came out of the crevices at the bottom of the siding when I washed around the door – yuck! I also used it to wash the garage doors and windows. Whew!
Troy-Bilt Pressure Washer Review

The Troy-Bilt pressure washer comes with several spray tips, which adjust the flow of water through the nozzle. Each spray tip can be used for different jobs. One thing we liked right away is the accessory tray that attaches to the pressure washer to hold the spray nozzles (the color-coded spray nozzles! Fancy.). Each one is marked to tell you what its purpose is. The spray tips snap in there nice and tight, so they won’t fall out and get lost.

Both the input and output hoses attach on the bottom/front of the pressure washer. It was a bit awkward to figure out how to move the pressure washer around at first, we were worried it would take two people to maneuver it. But once we figured out that it’s easiest to straighten out the hoses first, then pull the machine backwards, it was much easier for one person to move around (and by the end of all of our projects, we were total pros at it!).

One thing that I don’t like is the location of the trigger release button on the handle. The red button on the side of the handle is the trigger release (see it there, way up and just to the left of the Troy-Bilt logo), and you have to push that before you can pull the trigger. As you can see, my hand is not big enough to reach the trigger release and pull the trigger at the same time. So, I have to use two hands to release and pull the trigger. My husband’s hands are larger, but he had the same issue. It would be nice if the release button was on top of the handle, where my thumb is in this picture.

Battery chargers - what you need to know

Do you want to buy a new battery charger? Whether it's your first time buying a charger or you're replacing an old one,  it’s worth knowing what extra features are worth paying for. Below, we explain what you need to know about battery chargers, such as: GOAL ZERO VENTURE 30 RECHARGER - including how to get the best from your charger.  A battery charger with lots of features, such as a charge indicator, super-fast charging or the ability to charge 9V batteries, might be tempting as it covers all possibilities. But you’ll pay more for these extras, so it’s worth thinking about whetherthey’ll be useful to you. Once you’ve worked out what type of battery charger you want, make sure you buy the best rechargeable batteries to put in it. The best AA rechargeable batteries last nearly eight hours on a single charge and won't leak away their charge between uses. However, the worst AAA rechargeable batteries we've tested lose nearly 20% of their charge if you don't use them for 50 days. Check our independent rechargeable batteries reviews to find the best. Types of battery charger Smart charger Smart battery chargers, also known as delta-V chargers, monitor the voltage levels in each battery and stop charging (or switch to a low trickle-charge setting) when they’re full. Smart battery chargers are usually the best choice for keeping rechargeable batteries in good shape, as they prevent overcharging, which can reduce battery lifetime. Trickle chargers These push a low ‘trickle’ charge through batteries for a long period of time. Some have timers, so they turn off automatically after a set period of time. This won’t necessarily prevent overcharging or undercharging, though. This is because the time will vary depending on the battery’s capacity, chemistry and age, among other factors. Trickle chargers are useful if your rechargeable batteries aren’t ‘low self-discharge’ models (which have technology to stop them leaking away their charge when not in use). Ideally, the trickle charge is equal to the charge that the battery leaks away naturally, so they’re kept fully topped up - ready for when you want to use them. 

However, keeping them constantly topped up also increases the likelihood of overcharging. Other battery chargers If a battery charger isn't marked as a smart charger or trickle charger, it’s likely to be a more basic model that pumps a constant electrical current through batteries until you unplug it. These models are often much cheaper but it can be hard to tell when batteries are fully charged - and the charger won’t stop charging them when they are. So you risk overcharging, which can cause long-term damage. Excess energy can cause batteries to get hot. However, undercharge them, and they’ll run flat faster. 15 minutes The claimed charging time of the fastest battery chargers Battery charger speeds The type of battery charger that's best for you will depend on how you plan to charge your batteries, and how much you want to spend. Can you plan ahead to recharge your batteries? Or will you need a quick turnaround when they’re flat? Manufacturers claim that the fastest battery chargers can charge in just 15 minutes, but they usually cost more. The slowest are often cheaper, but need to be left overnight. Our rechargeable batteries tests measure how long different brands take to charge. Super-fast chargers Battery charging technology is constantly evolving, and many smart chargers are claimed to charge batteries in under an hour. The fastest models should be able to charge in 15 minutes – which is convenient, as you don’t need to think about charging your batteries before you want to use them. They tend to be pricier than other battery chargers, however. Slower chargers Manufacturers often state the expected charging time on their battery chargers – for example, both Duracell and Energizer sell a ‘one hour’ charger, among other models. Exactly how long it will take depends on the capacity of your rechargeable batteries. In the same charger, higher-capacity batteries will take longer to charge than lower-capacity ones. Other chargers are designed to be left charging overnight – some have auto shut-off functions after certain time periods to minimise overcharging.

New Generation of Solutions to Help Small Business Owners Accept Customer Payments

If there is one thing all small business owners agree on it is that they are paying a lot on credit card processing fees. They are caught between a rock and a hard place when it comes to accepting payments from customers using credit cards. On one hand they have to accept credit cards from customers or stand to lose many of those valuable customers. On the other hand, the credit card processing companies charge them a fortune to be able to accept those cards. It is not uncommon for small business owners to pay 3-4% of the sales to credit card processing providers. We provided some tips to reduce credit card fees in earlier article. Is there anything more they can do?



Fortunately, the answer is YES! A new generation of entrepreneurs has come up with innovative solutions to help small business owners with the ability to accept payments without having to pay significant fees. These solutions also solve the problem for many small business owners who need to accept the payment on the without processing terminals as well as accept recurring payments. Think about businesses such as personal trainers or subscription services. They are too small to be able to afford high credit card fees. They are also not in a position to install the credit card processing terminals because many of them need to accept the payment while on the road.

How can Small Businesses Benefit by Investing in Employees

One of the most effective ways to find success with your business is to invest in the employees that make up your team and staff. The integrity and confidence of the employees will ultimately determine the outcome of the goals that are accomplished each quarter. For those who are looking at investing in their employees, there are number benefits that can come with developing your brand and team. Here are some of the most important ones.

Increase Sustainability

Your company will become more sustainable if you value your employees and allow them to feel respected and needed with the positions that they fill. Employees that feel appreciated will become more loyal to the company and are less likely to transfer to another employer because they’ll feel satisfied with interacting with their superiors. It’s important to make your employees feel safe and supported to ensure that they have a desire to commit to the brand and continue getting rewarded for their hard work. This will allow you to hire a team of professionals who commit several years of their career to your company due to their high level of satisfaction in the environment.

You can avoid having a revolving door of employees by offering fair and competitive salaries while providing each person with a bonus once a year or quarterly. This will allow your employees to remain more committed if you offer a higher salary than other companies in the industry. They’ll have peace of mind with their finances and can repay a car title loan or additional debt that they’ve accumulated.

Small Business Owners: Ignore Employment Laws at Your Own Risk

One of the biggest worries for many small business owners is running afoul with employment laws. The number of labor laws in the U.S. has increased significantly in the last several years. There are countless federal and state agencies such as Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division that govern these regulations. All of these agencies are looking at all aspects of labor management to ensure small business owners comply with the laws. Forget to comply with one of myriad laws and you will find yourself in the crosshairs of one these agencies. The consequences of running afoul can range from hefty fine to even jail time. So what can you do to ensure you don’t end up in this situation?



There are several steps you can take to avoid being in trouble:
Make yourself familiar with all the different employment laws and regulations. Some of the most important regulations you need to be aware of are Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Equal Pay Act, the WARN Act, and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). In addition, different states have their own regulations that you should become familiar with.
Seek external counsel of employment lawyers. These lawyers have knowledge and experience to guide you through the intricacies of labor regulations. They can not only help you keep a close eye on your operations to avoid running afoul, but can also help fight litigation if needed. Our advice is to hire the lawyer in the local community. If you operate your business in Florida, for example, it is better to hire Orlando business attorneys since they will be familiar with state and local laws and can guide you properly.