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Septic tank phase out

8/27/2017

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THE BEGINNINGS OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT
What do you know about wastewater treatment? Better yet, do you even care? You might be like
most people and just flush anything down your toilet that you think will not stop it up. If you are in the kitchen, do you just put stuff in the disposal and grind it up? How many times have you poured bacon grease down the drain and wondered if its better to run the hot or cold water? Guilty or not guilty? Its time to take some responsibility and educate yourself. You can be part of the sewage problem become part of the sewage solution.
Wastewater issues are nothing new. As ancient nomadic tribes began to build more permanent
structures, garbage and wastewater became an important concern. No longer could they allow the
earth and soil to treat their waste as they followed migrating herds. In the City of Ur, as far back a 3500 B.C., it was common practice to sweep wastes into the streets and raising the doors as the street levels rose.
Around 2500 B.C., in what is now Pakistan, some houses had flushing toilets. As ancient cities became overwhelmed, they diverted their wastes to rivers, slowly polluting them one by one.
The Minoan culture on the Island of Crete between 1500 –1700 B.C., used a terra-cotta piping system similar to the ones we use today. The Greeks had the  first garbage dumps and the Romans’ waste treatment methods were the most developed prior to the 19th century. Even with their advances, Rome was still an unhealthy city, and with the fall of the Roman Empire, sanitation technology entered into its “Dark which lasted a thousand
years.
After the major plagues of the 12th century, management became a priority. In 1372, England’s King Edward forbid dumping “harmful things" into the River Thames and in 1388 Parliament “forbade the throwing of filth and garbage into ditches, rivers and water.
Fast forward we find the septic tank was invented in 1860; it was large and built for communities. “The main purpose of these tanks was to remove gross solids before discharge into the nearest stream or river.” The problem then and even today remains, “The effluent was largely untreated and caused pollution of streams and rivers.”
The pollution of water cannot be solved by a septic tank.
So what was waste water’s driving force for these thousands of years? It’s very simple – Disease. In the mid-19th century a worldwide cholera epidemic occurred.
Sewage treatment soon followed and here we are in Cabo San Lucas, dealing with issues 5,500 years old. Thankfully, we now have the knowledge and t e c h n o l o g y t o d e a l w i t h wastewater treatment.
All we need now is the resolve to do the right thing. Let’s have a look at our situation here in Paradise…Have you smelled downtown Cabo recently?
“WHY does my septic tank smell so bad? septic tanks and sewerage systems give off very little odor and are almost never offensive when they are operating properly. They do give off odor caused by
decomposition of protein, but it is barely noticeable and does not have that overpowering, lingering
stench that we know as sewage. So, if it stinks, it’s probably your fault, amigo.
A “Sewage System” differs from a septic tank in that a “Septic Tank” is a passive device where a sewage system aggressively promotes sewage aggressively promotes sewage tank is passive means that it is left to it’s own devices to function properly and depends upon existing anaerobic bacteria to
breakdown the organic wastes introduced.
Under ideal circumstances, where only human organic wastes are put in the septic tank at precise intervals, provided sufficient oxygen and the tank is not full of non-degraded material,
where only human organic wastes, the septic tank will perform very well. This specific set of conditions does not often present itself in Southern Baja, so, not very many septic tanks are working properly.
When kitchen and wash water flow into a septic tank, it will not function at all and a sewage system will operate with less efficiency. These wastes locally known as “gray water” contain fats, oils, greases, sugars,and detergents, all of which are detrimental to healthy bacterial sewage degradation. The bacteria that consume these compounds are not the same bacteria that degrade sewage. Therefore, the fats, oils, etc. cause terrible odors and fouling. Most homeowners think their septic tanks are doing very well because there is no odor, but the reality is that the tank must be pumped out on a regular basis. When the toilet flushes, but flushes slowly, it indicates that the septic tank is more than likely full and in need of pumping. It is often said by residents of Cabo San Lucas, that, “I never pump out my septic tank, everything works great, and there is no smell”. This can only occur when their tank is well sealed and they live at a sufficient elevation so that their raw sewage problems flow down to someone else at a lower elevation (This includes our neighbors in the
ocean).
It is for this reason that septic tanks are now illegal in Baja California. Many potential clients
find this fact hard to believe, however, it is spelled out very c l e a r l y i n the “LEY DE EQUILIBRIO ECOLOGICO Y PROTECCION DEL AMBIENTE D E L E S T A D O D E B A J A CALIFORNIA SUR”. Don’t join the growing list of those receiving citations and hefty fines for violating this law.
If you sneak in a septic tank because no one will know about it,you will be fined,, and you will be forced to remove it.
A septic system  can be updated with a miniature “Sewage System” by installing an approved aerobic wastewater treatment plant. These systems can be added to an existing septic system or completely replace it. Aerobic systems such as the locally manufactured Mighty Mac, will promote the growth of the beneficial aerobic bacteria, while inhibiting the adverse forms of bacteria that cause odors. With
the construction of a new home, The cost is only a little more than a bootlegged septic tank anyway.
You can become part of the sewage solution by complying with basic environmental health standards, local wastewater laws and following the guidelines listed below.
For a sure-fire way to save on your Baja waste treatment, join Secrets of Baja  and contact us at info@bajapromises.com.
The following is a list documenting the various culprits causing the failure of someone’s
onsite sewage system. Avoiding the below listed compounds and products will save the homeowner
or landlord many headaches and money over the long haul just as surely as introducing these
things to a sewage system will quickly bring about failure.
In the event that your residence, home, condo, trailer, tent, or sleeping bag, is hooked up
directly to a municipal treatment plant, please adhere to these practices also.
1. Do not dispose of fats, greases or cooking oils down the household drains.
2. Do not use a garbage disposal (or at least sparingly), or put coffee grounds, meat, bones,
shrimp shells or other food products that are difficult to biodegrade, down the drain.
3. Do not dispose of bleach, fabric softeners, disinfectants, toilet cleaners, sanitizers, antibacteria
soaps, antibiotics, etc. down the drain.
4. Do not dispose of automotive fluids, such as gas, oil, transmission or brake fluid, greases
or antifreeze down any drains. No paintbrush wash water or thinners should ever be
poured down any drains.
5. Do not dispose of or rinse any containers from pesticides, herbicides or other potentially
toxic substances down any drain.
6. Do not flush any of these things down your toilet: cigarette butts, potato peels, cereal,
disposable diapers, dental floss, mop strings, plastic or rubber products, paper towels,
sanitary wipes, feminine products (particularly, tampons).
7. Minimize water usage. Do not run water continuously while rinsing dishes or
thawing frozen food products. Limit toilet flushes when possible.
8. Run only full loads when using a dishwasher or washing machine and spread out wash days.
(i.e. Do not run six loads on Monday and none the other days) Install a lint trap on your
washer.
9. Do not use chemicals, enzymes or yeast to “start up” or “clean” your waste treatment
system. They are unnecessary and may actually harm the system.
10. Use biodegradable products whenever possible.





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proper surge protection-essential

3/8/2017

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Picture
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Residential and Light Commercial Surge Suppressor
 

 
Designed to safeguard delicate microprocessor based electronics, our surge protective devices prevent your residence, home office or light commercial location from suffering extensive damage, extended downtime and lost revenue. This is critical to your company's well-being, bottom line and future.
 
Second only to the AdvantageTM Series, This Surge Protective Device offers the protection you need for High-End Residential & Light Commercial Applications.
 
The RES/RESS series of parallel connected surge protective devices represent the latest in surge protective device design and performance. By blending advanced computer circuit modeling with tried-and-true design principals learned over the past twenty-plus years, the RES/RESS models have the lowest let-through voltage, providing the highest possible protection levels.
Component-level thermal fusing combined with patented, internal, circuit board mounted over-current fusing and Voltage Responsive and Frequency Responsive CircuitryTM, gives these products unmatched performance and safety, and makes them the best and most advanced Residential and Light Commercial surge protective devices available today!
 
When ordered as the RESS (with the Frequency Responsive CircuitryTM option) the Frequency Responsive Circuitry extends from L-L and L-N.  The AdvantageTM line offers optional N-G Frequency Responsive CircuitryTM


When is this important?  When used in a standard 120/240 split phase application at the service entrance, the N-G are bonded, making N-G Frequency Responsive Circuitry unnecessary.  When used on a downstream application, the Advantage Series with optional Frequency Responsive CircuitryTM offers an additional level of protection.
 
 
Available in all Single and Three Phase configurations including:
 
120, 240, 480, 120/240, 120/208, 220/380, 230/400, 240/415, 277/480, 120NN, 240NN, 480NN
 
Standard Features                          
  • 25 Yr. Free Replacement Warranty  
  • ANSI/UL 1449 Listed
  • UL 1283 Listed
  • Industry Leading Let-through Voltage Performance              
  • Circuit Encapsulation                                                                    
  • Patented Fusing Technology                                                        
  • Voltage Responsive Circuitry
  • Discrete "All Mode" Circuitry
  • Advanced Internal Diagnostics
  • Component Level Thermal Fusing
  • 120 kA Peak Surge Current Per Phase
  • Composite NEMA 4X Enclosure
Optional Features
  • Multi-stage, Hybrid Frequency Responsive Circuitry
  • Form "C" Dry Relay Contacts
  • Remote Lights
  • External Audible Alarm, DRC and Surge Counter Available
  • Application Specific Design Modifications
  • Frequency Responsive Circuitry                          
  

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​Important Considerations when Buying Beachfront Property

1/19/2017

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​Whether you are searching for your perfect beachfront home in Mexico or dreaming about it, these tips will help you discover your property and plan your purchase. From erosion to government restrictions, it’s important to know what to look for when buying a beachfront home in Mexico.
1. Erosion is the Enemy 
You have found the lot on the beach, now what? The next step is to make certain that it will still be there in the future. Seek a high elevation from the sea level. Obviously, the higher the better, but if you are on the windward or receiving end of a storm channel, look for at least 7 feet of elevation. This will help defend against erosion. Remember that erosion is your enemy, and if you don’t believe it, just look at the sliver of remaining beach in Cancun’s hotel zone. 
2. Long Live the Sand
Beachfront vitality is important. When purchasing a beachfront home, you want to be sure there will be sand or beach for years to come, making the lot selection with evidence of a swash zone, a beach face, a wrack line, and a berm, important.
The swash zone is where the waves usually break in normal weather.
The beach face is the area that is flat, where you would put a towel down to get a tan.
The wrack line is where the high-water mark can reach in the case of foul weather or storm.
The berm is where you would see the rise of the elevation. Ideally this will have green plants growing on it and encroach on the wrack line, showing there’s little or no erosion. (Green can’t grow where seawater is dumped.)
All four zones are important; however, for a good price, you may consider sacrificing one or more…at your own peril.
3. Run from the Wind and Look for the Trash 
If you should come across that perfect, clean, white sandy beach on the windward side of the current: run. If nature can clean it, nature can take it. Look for trash, or natural debris—the more the better, as this you can easily handle. But the weather issues mean having to fight Mother Nature, and more often than not you will lose. Erosion is an SOB. Unfortunately, a large percentage of the Mexican beaches suffer from it. 



4. Skipping Rocks 
A rocky beach is not a real beach. It’s a coastline. Seek a rockless beach and a rock-free seafloor in the immediate sea line. First, rocks are not fun to navigate, and second, exposed rock can be a sign of erosion at some point. 

If you’ve got a fine, white sandy beach and a rocky seafloor, the developer may have brought sand in to sell the property—sand that probably won’t last long.

5. Offshore Reef Protection 
If you are lucky enough to discover a beach with a protective reef offshore, this will aid in the fight against erosion and in certain cases assist in providing some accretion. (Accretion is the opposite of erosion and causes a beach to become wider with the deposition of sand.) I’ve been on beaches that had corner stones marked more than 40 years ago, and upon checking the rectification survey, the beach grew more than 20 meters. That’s free money in my book.

6. Trouble in the Reef 
A reef exposed or just below the ocean surface—while helpful for erosion—will cause the sea to become stagnant on certain days. Reefs deep below the surface will not work well in the battle of erosion. A dead or dying reef is a one-way ticket to future troubles of keeping your sand.

7. Hitting the Jackpot with Wetlands 
Finding a property that passes the above criteria and also has a major wetland or mangrove area behind is like hitting the jackpot. Buy all you can afford. The ideal location would have wetlands behind to clean and fertilize or feed the underground water system that flows beneath your lot. The Mexican government protects wetlands because these areas provide the nutrients to support a thriving reef system. 

In addition, wetlands behind the beachfront will limit future development, maintaining the beach’s privacy—an important property feature. In Playa del Carmen, more than 60 streets now exist behind the beach. The first buyers knew of only three streets, and the privacy they expected to have has disappeared. Inshore wetlands would have prevented that additional development.  

The grounds at Posada La Poza

8. Snoop Around 
It is now time to start checking out the neighbors, knowing that like minds usually fit best next to each other. If your goal is to build a quiet little beach house someday, make sure the next all-inclusive party resort is not scheduled to be built next or close to the lot you have chosen. 

Often, what you don’t see is most concerning. If you are buying 50 meters of beachfront and intend to put a US$400,000 house on it, don’t buy next to a lot that has only 10 or 15 meters of frontage. A smaller house next to you will not help your property value. Some have seen this happen in sections of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas.

9. Avoid the “Back-from-the-Beachfront” Trap 
Don’t be fooled into purchasing a back lot at beachfront prices. The key to any purchase is to be certain there is plenty of room for your lot between your rear boundary at the beach road (the road running parallel to the sea line) and the waterline. 

Take into consideration the federal zone (20 meters from the high-tide line), the public beach area, along with local and Federal government’s building restrictions. Make sure they don’t combine to place your beachfront lot at a back-lot location. 



 

10. Don’t be Fooled at Closing 
Title issues remain an area of concern when buying property in Mexico and closing property is very different than closing property in the United States or elsewhere.  When closing properties for my clients in Mexico, I use a closing team consisting of:
  • A large internationally known escrow company to hold all funds.
  • A notary or a government attorney hired by us that is tasked with overseeing the transaction.
  •  Your own attorney who represents you…and exclusively you…. The attorney can be of your choice or we can recommend a few to you. 
  • Our team’s personal assistant, to ensure you are receiving all of the important and sensitive communication in a timely fashion.

    Ask for a government certified translation of everything that they ask you to sign so that you are not signing a blank check. Many companies have you sign a proxy or power of attorney at closing, then close legally without you. Don’t go for this. The only person who should get your power of attorney—if anyone—is your own trusted attorney, not a developer. Bring both your brain and your wallet when crossing the border. 

    Check the numbers at closing, including the lot numbers and dollar amount. Be certain you have a catastral number (municipal inscription number) in both English and Spanish. If there is not a catastral number, you are only spending money on undefined dirt, not title to the property. Parcels included in your meets-and-bounds description need to conform with the previous title, if any. When in doubt, wait and ask questions. 

11. Lifestyle 
In a perfect world you should not be more than 15 minutes’ drive by car to a small town with a general store or simple restaurant. This way you won’t be driving more than an hour for the simple necessities like beer or milk, which is often the case in Mexico where beachfront prices are most affordable and attractive. 

Further, if the closest international airport is more than 2 hours away, the price of the lot should reflect such. Many affordable lots are in the middle of nowhere. 

Lastly, ask about electricity and water. Some lots may not have the infrastructure to accommodate comfortable living. Some rural beachfront properties may not have access to everyday electricity for years. Some on the other hand may be getting electricity soon and these properties may be a great deal by still being offered at “no electricity” pricing.


 
 
 

12. Reality Check 
A beachfront property in Mexico that scores positively on all of the above qualities does not exist…but if you can find locations with 80% of the above mentioned criteria, you have a winner. One of my most recent finds—the village of Todos Santos, Baja California Sur—scores in this range, thanks in part to its close proximity to both Los Cabos and La Paz.  Todos Santos is one of the safest villages in all of Mexico.

With a lower cost of living than the United States—and dramatically lower cost of beachfront property—Mexico is an attractive option for finding your dream beachfront property.

Good luck on your search…… and look me up when you make it to Baja.
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to build or not to build-that is the question

1/2/2017

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It is not a simple decision as to whether to buy in Baja or build. Here, I will attempt to tackle both areas. There are always other considerations, and some of them may depend on one's personal situation.
Building Considerations
The biggest concern as I see it is getting a good builder. He not only has to know how to build securely- also must be efficient in securing all proper permits.
People with whom I have discussed this subject, have horror stories concerning investors spending $30,000-$70,000 extra when they are building a $500,000 cost home. These are all attributed to building errors. They recommend you rent a house for a year and live there to make sure construction is done properly and, according to code.
All in all, if you want everything done your way and you have faith in your builder, take a year, rent some form of accommodations and visit your site, regularly. It is a major commitment of time and money, but well worth it.
Our casa was built near the beach and sand building permits, took years for our builder to acquire.
Getting a good supply of potable water was another challenge. He set it up for regular deliveries of water by pipeline. It is released twice a week.
Some people install a water tank and haul their own water in as needed.
Waste treatment on sand is a major consideration as septic is illegal in sandy areas. The reason of course is obvious- sand does not perk. We are operating with a unique waste treatment system, installed by our builder.
Securing electricity is another decision. Many people choose generators. This is expensive and cumbersome. Our builder, owned a great many properties and found it feasible to spend $500,000 to bring electricity to our area. In many cases our neighbors have hooked up to that system.
An obvious situation arises here, it is best to choose at least a somewhat developed area. This will enable you to have a passable road, electricity and water. Some of those beautiful properties, with great views of the water, at outstanding prices- are not a bargain.
Quality appliances aren't readily available in Mexico. It seems to be improving- we have replaced most of our mistakes. Somebody say- stove, dishwasher, microwave, washer and dryer- all in eight years?
There are great many decisions to make when building in Baja. Unlike in the US, many people choose to build. I think (like myself) this is an accomplishment of a dream. I never built a home in the United States- why would I think it would be easy in a foreign country. After building and incurring all the expensive mistakes (if we had it to do over again) we would prefer to purchase a previously constructed home. All the errors are corrected and a good inspector can make sure the home is sound.
Any alterations can be made to suit our taste after we move in. The home can be purchased unfurnished and we can use our taste on furnishings.
When one analyzes the potential losses due to poor construction-( three of our neighbors have incurred serious costs due to  faulty construction). You can make a great many cosmetic changes for $70,000.
One other consideration is financing. We were fortunate that our builder had moved from the US to Baja and had a checking account in the US. We were able to give him money through that bank account. Currently, one is not allowed to deposit more than $3000 US in a Mexican bank account per month. Obviously, it would be impossible to build a house in Baja with $3000 US per month. I know our government is making every effort to keep our money in the US. I recently read an article by a gentleman who had a business in Brazil. He was having a nightmare attempting to send money to build that business. He found a way and is now a millionaire.
 
Buying a previously constructed home.
It is imperative that you find a good inspector to protect you from being the victim of undisclosed errors in construction. An honest, highly qualified realtor is a great step towards purchasing a quality home. In Mexico the rule is” buyer beware”. Sellers are not obligated to disclose shortcomings in their home. Check out your realtor's qualifications.
A good lawyer can audit all the paperwork to make sure it is in order and take the time to determine that the permits are also in order.
Obviously, you need to make water, power and road access decisions. That new home may be difficult to access, bring water to etc..
Most realtors can aid you in creating a listing of quality construction people. When we built our home, we had no idea of who could paint, repair and maintain our property. It was a very long process weeding out the faulty workers. We went through three gardeners. After eight years we feel comfortable with our list of at least 15 different maintenance people. We have a pool guy, a gardener and a trash man.
Hopefully, your realtor can direct you to some quality handymen, electrician, plumber etc.. The realtor also should let you know where to pay your utilities and your taxes.
Should you need further information on investing in Baja, check the resource section of Baja Promises.com-
http://www.bajapromises.com/resource-articles.html. Should you seek special discounts for construction, inside information on waste treatment, television service, vacation rentals, paying taxes etc. etc. be sure to become a member of Secrets of Baja---
http://www.bajapromises.com/secrets-of-baja.html.
Good luck on your venture.
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top ten mexico hurricane tips

8/26/2016

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What does that mean exactly? What are the necessary steps that should be taken for Mexico hurricane preparedness? Most things are usually on hand but should be stocked up and easily accessible. If it turns out the Mexico hurricane has changed its path, at least you will have known you were ready. If your city or town in Mexico is in imminent danger of a hurricane, most likely evacuation announcements have been made, and should be taken seriously.
1. First, get important papers and special photos in order and secured in plastic. Identification is difficult and time-consuming to replace: so be sure to include social security cards, birth certificates, high school diplomas or GED certificates, titles or deeds to property. Photos of special occasions or loved ones cannot be replaced, so including these is important as well.
2. Think ahead and take video or photos of your Mexico property before you leave. This will help later on with any Insurance checklist claims for damage that may need to be filed.
3. If staying with friends or relatives is not an option consider booking a hotel or motel in another nearby town or city. Make sure to get directions and put them in the car ahead of time. It is easy to forget that piece of paper in the rush out the door. A cheaper route might be to find temporary hurricane shelters. Usually nearby towns not in the direct path of the hurricane will provide these for people in need.
4. Safety of your pets during a Mexico Hurricane. Taking your pets along is the most important thing individuals or families can do for their animals during a hurricane evacuation. Pets left behind can be injured, lost or killed during a storm, or in its aftermath. Pet owners should include their animals in their Family Hurricane Planning, before a storm threatens.
5. Designate a spot, in the hall closet, to keep a bag of clothes for each person in the household. Make sure to include sleeping gear if you plan on going to a temporary shelter.
6. Along with overnight clothes, consider stocking your Mexico Hurricane Kit with the following:extra cash, generator, batteries, flash lights, battery operated radio/television, bottled water, toilet paper, non-perishable foods such as cereal or crackers, canned goods, a can opener, a small cooler, candles, prescription medicines and any over-the-counter remedies you use regularly; and if you have small children – diapers, baby wipes, formula, baby food.
7. Count on the power being out for at least a day or two. Remember that ATM’s will be non-operating, so have at least some hard cash in your Hurricane Kit (see no. 6, above) to see you through the storm.
When TV and computer games no longer operate, board games or a deck of cards come in handy! Arts and crafts, crayons and downloadable coloring pages are always great distractions for the kids – so make sure you’ve stored some of these supplies in a tote bag or in the car trunk.
8. If you decide to tough out the storm, stay downwind in your home. This means if the wind is hitting the living room windows, go to the room opposite the living room.
9. HVHZ Storm Shutters Protecting ALL Exterior Openings of Your Home. HVHZ (High Velocity Hurricane Zone) professionally made exterior storm shutters covering all the openings of your home is the Best measure of protection for your home. HVHZ Storm Shutters will take the brunt of the wind and rain and is a Highly Recommended and actually required by Most Insurance carriers offering Hurricane Protection in Mexico.
10. Finally, STAY INSIDE. However tempting it may be to videotape or take photos of the storm, be sure to shoot from indoors – where it’s safe, and dry!
*Be sure that your Mexican home policy Insures your home for hurricane damage and that you meet the requirements by your insurance policy.
Hurricanes are serious business. Weather forecasters can only predict so much. Educate yourself and stay on top of weather updates in your area.
There is no harm in being overly cautious when it comes to protecting your home & family. It truly is better to be safe than sorry.
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Facts to know about led lighting

8/1/2016

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​LED Lighting and Surges
 
Led lighting is quickly replacing Incandescent and Fluorescent lighting fixtures in many applications.
The benefits of LED lighting are multiple: reduced energy consumption,  great lumen efficiency, better light quality. However, there are issues with LED technology, as this type of lighting incorporates sensitive electronic components such as rectifier diodes, transformers and integrated circuits that are susceptible to transient surges leading to long-term reliability concerns, damage and failures.

Considering the increasing trend to replace Incandescent and Fluorescent lighting systems for LED systems, due to the significant energy savings that can be achieved, it is mandatory to protect those systems against surges. In fact, according to the U.S Department of Energy, by 2030 the energy savings attributable to LED lighting in the U.S could be up to 300 terawatt-hours.
This can only be possible having more reliable LED systems, by deploying Surge Suppressors to protect the LED lighting circuits.
 
Energy Control Systems will help you, providing the best Surge Protection devices in terms of Performance, Safety and with an outstanding 25 year Free Replacement Warranty.
  
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an alternative lifestyle

3/22/2016

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We are a fearful society. I believe the complexities of life has made us unsure of ourselves and our abilities. Everything is moving so fast. As a retired person I find it almost impossible to keep up with just the basics of understanding our existence today. 

A retired person with insufficient funds has to face life's challenges, while at the same time our Federal Reserve is closing all the doors on establishing a reserve to capitalize our future- what to do?
Start thinking outside of the box. We are often captured in our sphere of influence. We understand that sphere and are comfortable there. Sometimes we need to break the restraints and move outside of our comfort zone.

I read an article recently where a gentleman was describing his new life. A life of traveling, exploring, seeing the world as it truly is. He began to evaluate his life's treasures and realize they were just bric-a-brac with no importance to his families’ future. He realized that the stuff he felt was important and had defined his existence, was so superficial. He further discovered that in his new world he met like-minded people who had a sense of community (not unlike our existence in the US 50 years ago).

Of course, I am speaking of the simple life that exists in the Baja. I challenge you to explore it, investigate it, not as a tourist, but as a person looking for a home. I think you'll find solace there. I think you'll find love there. And, I think you will find an opportunity to live out your life in a comfort zone you never thought existed- a comfort zone you can afford.
​
Come explore it all with me. The ride is not totally smooth- nor are our experiences on this ride. However, the road ends in a very acceptable fashion. You will find the opportunity to live comfortably on a restricted budget and possibly invest for the future of your family.
Baja Amigo
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rental car challenge at the cabo airport

3/5/2016

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​ 
Never Buy Travel Insurance or Damage Waivers on Rental Cars
Many rental-car companies at the Cabo airport will pressure you to accept their insurance when you pick up one of their cars… Don’t fall for the hard sell.
The premium adds approximately $25 to the daily rental cost. When you  pay with a credit card (which is required in most cases anyway)… many cards offer collision-damage coverage on domestic (and Mexico) car rentals. Visa, for example, will cover theft and damage, towing charges, and loss-of-use charges imposed by the rental company. American Express covers damage to your rental car up to $50.
You just need to do a few things to make sure you’re covered. Most credit-card companies will require you to use the card that offers the coverage to pay the rental in full. You also have to decline any coverage the rental company provides.
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover all have slightly different policies. And not every card offered by the company has this coverage. Just call the company’s customer service department to determine if you have coverage, learn the terms, and save almost two hundred dollars in fees.
Just call your insurance company to find out their coverage policy before you rent your next car.
You must buy liability insurance in Mexico as that is not covered elsewhere. The trick is finding a rental company that will not insist on charging you $45 a day for insurance. Cactus Car will allow liability only. They are a very reputable company with an extremely high service rating. They also have 300 cars-some only have 50 and are unable to make a change for a better car. Because of this, they are in Baja Concierge . They will also give our members special rates and a much better insurance package.

Over the years that we've been going to Baja, we have rented from many companies. At one time we paid $50 a day because we didn't know any better. We have driven every kind of vehicle, even surviving an attempted bull attack on our red Volkswagen. We have experienced flat tires and even had a transmission pan repaired by going to the home of the mechanic-that cost $25.
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The bottom line is, rent directly from a reputable company with many quality cars. If you rent from an online service, you have no ability to move to another rental car company if you disagree with their policies. I urge you to rent carefully.
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the trials and tribulations of vehicle renting in cabo

1/7/2016

 
​Renting a vehicle at the San Jose Del Cabo airport can be exhilarating.
Come with me now as I walk you through the process of a car-rental.
You arrive at the San Jose Del Cabo airport, ready for a stress-free vacation. It is a mob scene, but eventually you relocate year car rental pickup shuttle. After arriving at their agency you wait for service- as often they have small personnel. The paperwork is monumental and takes a great amount of time.

Then you are told the car you ordered is not available but there is a similar car or an expensive upgrade. You make your decision and move onto the next hurdle. Now comes the real shocker, your inexpensive vehicle comes with a $45 per day insurance package. I have since found out that all rental agencies do not require you to buy the full package- I was not given that option. My $140 a week car now totaled $455.

Your car arrives and you must take care in inspecting it. Many times a spare is worthless, there are pits in the windshield and scratches and dents you may not see. However, when you return the vehicle, the personnel there will certainly be able to show you the problems with your vehicle, and charge you for them.

Are you still having a stress- free vacation? Renting a car in a foreign country can be entirely different than renting at home.

It is imperative for your mental health to seek a reliable rental agency- one that has a great reputation and an inventory of many vehicles at your disposal.

After years of renting, we have discovered an exceptional rental agency- Cactus Car. They are very highly rated by Yelp and are only one of two that are given a 4-5 rating out of a possible 5. Most others had a 1 rating. You can read about them in My Best of Baja. 
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Tire on a rental car.

Surge protection is a priority

1/3/2016

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An important message from the staff at ECS.
For more than 20 years we have proclaimed the virtues and necessity of protecting the INPUT to a UPS system with a surge protective device (SPD).
While there is no panacea or "one size fits all" when it comes to power protection; a UPS system comes the closest. A quality, True on Line Double Conversion UPS will provide it all in one box; Voltage Regulation, Power Conditioning, Battery Back Up, plus limited surge protection (i.e. maybe just a couple of MOV's).
UPS manufacturers have touted the surge suppression built into their wares; we have seen and heard real life nightmares of critical and expensive equipment supported by a UPS system taken out by a surge or lightning strike.
Recently Surge Suppression Incorporated conducted tests on UPS devices from well known UPS manufacturers using three different UPS typologies: stand by, line interactive and double conversion.

Learn about surge protection and how we saved our electrical appliances in a large hurricane.

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