Tire monitor SmarTire Systems Inc. has introduced the RV-443, a tire monitoring system for recreational vehicles and trailers that features enhanced software enabling it to monitor up to six wheel positions with higher load-carrying capacity.
SmarTire said the system also has been redesigned with extended radio range to cover the greater transmission distances on RVs and trailers.
Contact: SmarTire Systems Inc., Dept. TB, 13151 Vanier Place, Suite 150, Richmond, British Columbia V6V 2J1. Phone: (877) 663-5287. Fax: (604) 276-2350. Internet: www.smartire.com.
Battery tester
Snap-on Tool Co. is offering the QBT200 hand-held battery tester, which it said uses the company's exclusive ``impulse loading'' technology to diagnose a battery's power within five seconds.
Snap-on said the tester is eight times more powerful than comparable units and will gather information on batteries in almost any condition, even if they have been discharged below five volts.
The QBT200 features one-button operation, the company said, making the tester simple to use.
Contact: Snap-on Tool Co., Dept. TB, P.O. Box 1410, Kenosha, Wis. 53141-1410. Phone: (414) 656-5200.
Wheel balancer
BeissbarthUSA has announced that its microtec 840 self-diagnostic wheel balancer—for auto, truck and motorcycle tires—is now being distributed in North America.
The unit is computer controlled, allowing the operator to choose from among the seven most commonly used balancing methods, including five programs for alloy wheels.
Beissbarth said the unit also features simplified calibration procedures, an alloy wheel measuring gauge, concealed weight placement and a foot-operated shaft brake for easier, more precise weight placement.
The microtec 840 fits auto wheel rim diameters up to 20 inches, 17.5-inch rims for light trucks and 23-inch rims on motorcycles.
Contact: BeissbarthUSA, Dept. TB, 5211 Linbar Drive, Suite 511, Nashville, Tenn. 37211. Phone: (800) 435-6654. Fax: (615) 333-3999. Internet: www.beissbarthusa.com.
Light
Duraline, a division of J.B. Nottingham & Co. Inc., has introduced the model HLS-760 solid rubber molded hand light.
The trouble light features an encapsulated, waterproof on/off switch and a watertight seal around the light socket—which is reinforced with a steel ring—to keep out moisture and dirt.
The unit is covered with solid Hypalon rubber. Lampguards are available in features red vinyl-covered steel or clear high-strength lexan.
Contact: Duraline, Dept. TB, 75 Hoffman Lane, Central Islip, N.Y. 11722. Phone: (516) 234-2002. Fax: (516) 234-2360. Internet: www.jbn-duraline.com.
Publications
Hennessy Industries Inc. has issued the ``COATS Runflat Training Manual'' (reference part number: 183708A) to train technicians on the proper way to change runflat tires.
Coats said the manual divides the process into individual lessons which not only explain the process but also the background behind the development and purpose of run-flat tires.
Although tire technicians are taught that speed is a key to efficiency, Hennessy said changing a run-flat tire is "an entirely different matter"—speed can slow down the job and make it harder. The manual stresses, for example, the importance of giving a run-flat tire bead enough time to "relax."
The manual, which also covers various sensors and other components associated with runflats, was developed in cooperation with major manufacturers of run-flat and low-profile tires.
Contact: Hennessy Industries Inc., Dept. TB, P.O. Box 3002, 1601 J.P. Hennessy Drive, LaVergne, Tenn. 37086-1982. Phone: (800) 688-6496. Internet: www.hennessy-ind.com.
Bosal USA Inc. has released a 270-page catalog detailing its line of replacement import exhaust systems, mufflers, pipes and accessories.
The catalog covers 2,500 makes and models of vehicles, according to Bosal, with illustrations of system components, application data and ordering information.
Bosal said the parts are made to original equipment specifications and meet the performance requirements of each vehicle's engine, including back pressure and computer controls. Bosal said it produces every part of its exhaust systems and is an OE supplier for many makes and models.
Contact: Bosal USA Inc., Dept. TB, 14 Troy Hills Road, P.O. Box 387, Whippany, N.J. 07981. Phone: (800) 631-7271. Fax: (973) 428-8856.
KYB America LLC, a subsidiary of Kayaba Industry Co., has debuted a full-line 172-page catalog listing more than 1,000 part numbers.
The catalog includes KYB's line of gas shocks, struts, cartridges and other equipment for domestic and import autos, trucks, buses and RVs.
The company said the publication also includes sections on new applications, discontinued part numbers, heavy-duty original equipment interchange and a cross reference of other brands.
Contact: KYB America LLC, Dept. TB, 901 Oak Creek Drive, Lombard, Ill. 60148. Phone: (630) 620-5555. Fax: (630) 620-8133.
Nichols Publishing is offering the ``Chilton's Labor Guide 1981-2000,'' which provides estimated repair times for what the company calls ``nearly every automotive repair procedure imaginable.''
The guide—available in a hard-cover book or Windows 98/95-compatible compact disc—covers a 20-year span for virtually every domestic and foreign vehicle manufactured, the company said. It features testing/diagnostic times, add-on and combination times, transaxle/transmission times, and instructions for new users.
Contact: Nichols Publishing, Dept. TB, 1020 Andrew Drive, Suite 200, West Chester, Pa. 19380-4291. Internet: www.chiltonsonline.com.
Claus Ettensberger Corp. has published a 1999/2000 catalog that includes custom wheels, sport exhaust systems and interior accessories. This 36-page full-color publication is available free of charge.
Contact: Claus Ettensberger Corp., Dept. TB, 16200 S. Figueroa Street, Gardena, Calif. 90248. Phone: (800) 766-0064. Fax: (310) 329-3159. E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.cecwheels.com.
Borescope
Sidewinder Products Corp. has introduced the Renegade rotating, flexible fiber optic borescope.
The company said the device reaches into almost any space to provide a magnified, brightly lit image of spaces such as the insides of pipes, tubes and the sides of cylinder heads.
The company said the unit can be adapted to show and record images on a camera/monitor/video printer setup to provide documentation. The device has up to 60 times magnification through the eyepiece and has water-tight, chemical resistant PVC sheathing on the flexible shaft.
Contact: Sidewinder Products Corp., Dept. TB, 850 Municipal Drive, Birmingham, Ala. 35216. Phone: (800) 999-3405.
Wiring diagrams
Automotive Information Systems Inc. has expanded and updated its IDENTIFIX Diagrams-Online wiring diagram service.
The company said this service can provide up to 50,000 high-quality wiring diagrams by fax for automotive technicians on a 24-hour-a-day, seven-days-a-week basis.
IDENTIFIX subscribers receive a three-ring binder index. The technician dials a toll-free number, enters a code from the index and the requested diagram is sent by fax ``within minutes of the call,'' said the company.
The service covers domestic autos starting with the 1988 model year and, for light trucks, from 1994 on.
Contact: Brian Lynch, marketing and sales manager, Automotive Information Systems Inc., Dept. TB, 2714 Patton Road, St. Paul, Minn. 55113. Phone: (651) 628-5704. E-mail: [email protected]
Air springs
Air Lift Co. has introduced the ``Big Bore'' air management system, which it said provides a lowering system for street and hot rods and sport trucks.
The company said the system, uses a high flow compressor, a two-gallon reservoir, large orifice fittings, solenoid valves and three-eighths-inch tubing to move air faster.
Big Bore lowers a vehicle in three seconds and raises it to normal ride height in six seconds, five times faster than older systems, according to Air Lift.
The system is available in several configurations including two-wheel and four-wheel designs.
Contact: Air Lift Co., Dept. TB, P.O. Box 80167, Lansing, Mich. 48908-0167. Phone: (800) 248-0892. Fax: (517) 322-9479. Internet: www.airliftcompany.com
Wrenches
S-K Hand Tool Corp. presents the Facom-brand Ratcheting Oil Filter Wrench (#U.46CLPF), which the company said has a unique ratcheting mechanism allowing it to be tightened with just fingertips when working in a tight space.
The wrench features a stainless steel strap to accommodate filters with 2 5/8- to 4 3/16-inch diameters.
Contact: S-K Hand Tool Corp., Dept. TB, 3535 W. 47th St., Chicago, Ill. 60632. Phone: (773) 523-1300.
Ken-Tool is offering the TC95 (#35595) four-way lug wrench to fit most lug nut applications including: 1.5-inch outer cap nuts, 13/16-inch square nuts and 30- and 33-mm nuts for hub pilot wheels.
The company said the TC95, constructed of one-inch thick drop forged steel, has a center hole for use with a leverage bar.
Contact: Ken-Tool, Dept. TB, 768 E. North St., Akron, Ohio 44305. Phone: (330) 535-7177. Fax: (800) 872-4929.
Air Hose
Rema Tip Top/North America Inc. has launched an air and impact tool hose with three-layer construction for strength and a four-spiral reinforcement for flexibility in punishing conditions.
The hose is said to be oil-resistant, designed for working pressure of 300 psi and available in 1/4-, 3/8- and 1/2-inch diameters. It is available in 25- and 50-foot lengths or on a 700-foot spool.
Contact: Rema Tip Top/North America Inc., Dept. TB, 200 Paris Ave., Northvale, N.J. 07647. Phone: (800) 225-REMA. Fax: (201) 768-0946. Internet: www.rematiptop.com.
Brake service
Hunter Engineering Co. is offering the model BL505 variable-speed combination brake lathe, designed to allow for the quick setup change from rotors to drums and vice versa, according to the manufacturer.
Simple controls on the front of the lathe allow the operator to ``dial-in'' a variety of feed rates for a one-cut pass. One of three easy-to-access spindle speeds provides the correct speed for all sizes of work pieces without the need for tools, the company said.
Available as an option is the Digi-Cal Auto Measurement Caliper, which displays depth of cut for rotors and drums, rotor thickness, drum diameter and workpiece runout.
Contact: Hunter Engineering Co., Dept. TB, 11250 Hunter Drive, Bridgeton, Mo. 63044. Phone: (800) 448-6848. Fax: (314) 731-1776. Internet: www.hunter.com.
Hennessy Industries Inc. has designed the AMMCO Model 8545 digital drum micrometer to make reading brake drum measurements easier.
The unit is balanced to stand up inside the brake drum, so the operator can see the readout without craning his neck. Readings can be changed from metric to English with the push of a button.
The unit also includes a scaled beam for measuring shoe width or drum depth and a button for measuring out-of-round.
Contact: Hennessy Industries Inc., Dept. TB, P.O. Box 3002, LaVergne, Tenn. 37086. Phone: (800) 688-6496. Internet: www. hennessy-ind.com.