It is rare to have a day that goes by without someone asking me how to set up their Multimo Satellite dish.

Multimo

The problem seems to arise from the close proximity of the Astra 1 and Astra 2 satellites.

However this is the solution I find works the best.

SatFinder

When using the Multimo dish, you have to use a satellite finder to locate the satellite. This is relativly easy by turning the satellite finder up until it makes a noise and all the lights are illuminated.

Next turn down the Satfinder until it stops making a noise. THE TIP IS : Turn the Satfinder down an 1/8 of a turn further.

The reason for doing this is to reduce the sensitivity of the finder as the signal from Astra1 is weaker than the signal of the Astra 2 satellite. EASY

One more tip – If you are in the United Kingdom, set the hight of the dish to 23 degrees on the slide at the side.

Job Done.

Well I know this is a little off topic but I feel that I have to share it with you.

I managed to stop smoking. This may not sound so remarkable but I have been smoking for 20 years.

I purchased an electronic cigaretter from UK-Electronic-Cigarettes.co.uk and tried it.

Now I an a non smoker I would like to tell everyone who smokes to give it a try the electronic cigarette is well work the cost.

This is a little about the electronic cigarette.

Like many products before it, the electronic cigarette seems to have become stronger since the health organisations urged caution, claiming not enough testing had been done to prove them safe.

Whilst the organisations distanced themselves from the electronic cigarette, the sales have continued to grow and with the UK smoking ban now entering its second winter, the thought of standing outside the pub or office in the freezing temperatures seems to be enticing smokers to try something different.

Some pubs and bars are now even beginning to sell the electronic cigarette, realising they are becoming more popular, sensing a potential profit and that the punters are becoming more willing to try them, not simply as an alternative to a cigarette but as a genuine reason not to stand outside and freeze for a smoke.

During this time of credit crunch, many smokers who don’t actually want to quit smoking altogether but are looking for something more affordable are also turning to the electronic cigarette.

With a little shopping around, the prices for smoking the electronic cigarette are vastly less than their standard counterparts. One such electronic cigarette company provides a table to show the significance of the savings and it goes a little bit like this:

Approximate only

• Electronic Cigarette:10 a day for one year = £ 122 • Real Cigarettes : 10 a day for one year = £1004

That equals a savings of more than £800 per year.

• Electronic Cigarette:40 a day for one year = £ 487 • Real Cigarettes : 40 a day for one year = £3529

That is an incredible saving of more than £3000 per year.

With those figures in mind it is not difficult to see why the electronic cigarette is becoming a very attractive proposition.

There are apparently no carcinogens or toxins in an electronic cigarette, immediately making them a far healthier alternative. Nicotine and flavourings seem to be the only substances present in the device.

In summary, with none of the dangers of real cigarettes present, a massive cost reduction over real cigarettes and social benefits too, (no dangers of passive smoking and no restrictions under the smoking bans) the electronic cigarette still provides a nicotine flavour, revealing a very genuine alternative and potential aid for those who wish to quit smoking.

As the winter’s harsh realities sink in, at least there seems to be some hope on the horizon, not just for smokers but for their families and friends too. Perhaps if the electronic cigarette proves itself in the next few years we may be approaching a new era and a much less smoky, healthier one at that.

Well it seems like owners of the EFOY power cell have now another little problem to overcome.

We have been advised by one of our well travelled customers that you are not able to transport Methanol in your vehicle through the Channel Tunnel.

We are in the process of obtaining a responce from the Chunnel people at the moment and will return to you soon.

We have been contacted by a customer who has been told by his Insurers, that they will not cover his vehicle if he is carrying more than 5Liters of methanol fuel for his E.F.O.Y power cell.

The customer was understandably concerned about the fact that he would not be insured and asked if we could confirm the regulations.

The E.F.O.Y fuel cell has been developed by S.F.C (Smart Fuel Cell) to provide a portable power solution which can provide up to 1600 watts of power.

The E.F.O.Y power cell is marketed as being quiet, automatic and environmentally friendly and is offered in a 1600, 1200, 900 and 600 watt per hour capacity.

The fuel for the E.F.O.Y is sold in either a 5 or 10 litre cell as standard.

The E.F.O.Y unit on its own has no regulations governing its use but the fuel (methanol) is what seems to be causing some concern.

Following a conversation with the UK suppliers of the E.F.O.Y we established the following facts.

The following is an email received from the Department of Transport to the suppliers which clarifies the legal standing of methanol.

Names and Email adresses have been removed and relaced with XXXXXXXX

From: XXXXXXXX [XXXXXXX@dft.gsi.gov.uk] Sent: 25 March 2009 10:44 To: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX Subject: Methanol Fuel

Mr XXXXXXXXXX,

I have been forwarded your email regarding the carriage of methanol in motorhomes.

The carriage of methanol for personal use is covered by 1.1.3.1(a) of ADR (European Agreement concerning the carriage of Dangerous Goods). Providing there is no more than 60 litres per receptacle and 240 L in total per transport unit then ADR is not applicable.

I’m afraid I cannot comment on insurance companies questioning or refusing policies, as this a matter between the insurer and client.

Regards,

XXXXXXXXXXX Dangerous Goods Division 2/24 Great Minster House 76 Marsham Street London SW1P 4DR

T: 020 7xxxxxxxxx

F: 020 7xxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxx@dft.gsi.gov.uk

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/freight/dgt1/

So the law is quite clear as regards the carriage of the mathanol fuel cells. As long as you do not have move than 24 x 10 litre containers with you, its not a problem.

We understand that insurance companies have to look at each case and asses the risk.

Therefore we decided to contact one of the leading insurance companies in the UK – Direct Line Insurance.

We contacted the van insurance section and spoke to a polite young man who was very helpful. He listened to the problem and said he would ask the underwriters.

2 minuets later he returned and advised the following.

As far as Direct Line Insurance are concerned, the use of the E.F.O.Y power cell and the carriage of the sealed methanol fuel cells was no problem. The young man did advise that if you had a lot of fuel cells with you that this would not be a good idea but it you are did carry your E.F.O.Y and a couple of the 10 litre fuel cells this would cause no problem to them.

Direct Line Insurance did point out that you must advise them that you have an E.F.O.Y power cell and intended to carry the fuel but assured me that it would not be a problem.

They did advise me however, that insurance quotations are dealt with on an individual basis. (Well they had to say that.)

The E.F.O.F power cell is perfectly safe and legal to use in any motorhome and is quite acceptable to any reasonable insurance company.

We hope this helps.

You can find out all about the E.F.O.Y Power Cell on our website. Just click the image.

The Camos Sat-Dome has been around for what seems to be centuries.

We decided to take the lid of the Camos Dome and take it apart, we must say that we were impressed.

The Dome Satellite System from Camos is well constructed an uses high quality components from the PCB to the stainless steel bolts.

Overall the dome provided an all round package that was hard to beat.

When you take the lid of the Camos Dome you notice that the unit is very clean and well presented. (Even with the lid off the unit is tidy)

Camos Dome without Cover

The dome satellite dish is powered by some serious high speed motors which use heavy duty cam belts to move the dish.

The LNB is also a quality unit and can be skewed if you need to.

We removed the dish is self to take a closer look at the bearings that enable the Camos Dome to move with ease.

Camos Sat Dome main drive belt

Again the bearings used on the Camos Satellite Dome are tip top and would easily last a lifetime.

The whole satellite dish is self is moved using another motor which protrudes from the underside of the dish assembly.

This also has a support wheel with another heavy bearing through it.

Conclusion:

After taking the Camos Dome Satellite System apart, we found that the unit was constructed using high quality components. This ensures that the unit is free from any maintanance.

The unit is reliable and easy to install which makes it an ideal unit for the avid DIY person.

We would like to thank TSW COMSAT for providing the unit for testing.

You can also see details of how to install a Camos Dome at CamosDome.com

We are always looking for things to take apart, so if you have a unit you would like us to look at please let us know.

Review by Caravan Satellite System