Science fiction aficionados may appreciate today’s blog post on one of the fundamental ingredients needed to create an other-worldly retreat where you can … well, space-out. From childhood bedrooms to multi-million dollar estates, science fiction has been the motivation for some of the most amazing spaces ever. Call it your Star Wars Sanctuary, Asimov Alcove, or Halo Haven, sci-fi rooms all have similar characteristics that give it their “universal” appeal. LIGHT.

One of the most popular settings for a fictional future is in outer-space. A black landscape, interrupted only by the flickering of shining planets & stars is the perfect backdrop for sci-fi design. LED fiber optic ceiling lights will make you look like you’re in space.

Patience and attention to detail will go a long way when installing these kits. You’ll find detailed instructions Make a home-made star constellation projector with star printables and a flashlight to mark real constellations!

Did you know that today is National Science Fiction Day, as well as Isaac Asimov’s birthday? 

More people have been thinking of trying to switch from oil-dependent vehicles to electric cars. However, many of the same individuals are also intimidated by the numbers of gas vs. charging stations available near them. While this might not be a problem in larger cities, more rural locations can run into charging issues. This is why charging your vehicle at home is so important. Around 88% of electric vehicle drivers refuel at home or at work.

Depending on your car, you might need different levels of charge. A level 1 charger uses wall sockets in the average home. However, 1 charge could take about 22 hours to complete. A level 2 charger is a little better. It works with a 240-volt wall outlet and can give you around 70 miles per charging hour. You can use the same outlet as your washer and dryer, but having a dedicated outlet for your car can help you prevent potential problems from alternating electricity flows.

A level 3 charger is the fastest and most efficient option for charging an electric car. Level 3 chargers, also called DC fast chargers, use a special charging port to get power to the battery while bypassing the car’s onboard charger. With this kind of station, you can fully charge your vehicle in a half hour.

A burnout, in electrical terms, is a drop in voltage across an electricity supply system. It can be spontaneous (unintentional) caused by disturbances in the grid, or intentionally caused during emergencies when the load needs to be reduced in order to prevent blackouts. The lower voltage causes lights to dim, leading to the name “burn out”.

Spontaneous burnouts usually cause voltage to drop for only a short period, while the intentional ones can have effects lasting anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.

A burnout can prevent some electrical devices from getting harmed by power loads, but others can actually get damaged severely. Here are some facts that you should be aware of: