HOW IT IS DONE.
Page 69
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Useful Contributions From Our Driver and Mechanic Readers.
Two Ideas for Facilitating the Control of Throttles.
rp WO suggestions are sent ns by a drier, " W.S.H.," " of East Greenwich, in connection . with the control of throttles. The first was applied to a Mandslay, although it can be used on other makes which have no proper throttle Control for starting, or where the control has become out of order. To hold the accelerator pedal in the right position for starting he fixed a long gate hinge to the floorboards, as shown, then pressed the pedal hack to the required position and filed a notch so that the end of the hinge would held it there. A second notch was filed to -hold the pedal in the position suitable for running the engine for warming it up in cold weather before commencing his journey. The end of the flap of the hinge was cut off so as to engage in the notch, and when not in use it was thrown back flush with the floorboards.
His second idea also entailed the use
of the same kind of hinge. In this ease the lorry was an A.E.(.7., in which the accelerator pedal was inconveniently high, and, consequently, tiring to the driver. The hinge was fixed so that the long flap rested on the accelerator ; as a result of this the driver's heel could rest on the floor, and could bear on any part of the flap.
points out that some drivers
gee. over this trouble by screwing a block of wood on the floor, but this is nearly as tiring, as it raises one's leg too high to he comfortable.
Getting Home . with a . Worn • Magneto Coupling.
"'AXING had the misfortune to find
that the toothed rubber vernier coupling on the magneto of his vehicle had sheared all its teeth from one •side, as the result of weakening through oil.
.softening the rubber,. " of Wimbledon, had to puzzle out a way to overcome the trouble. He cut the coupling crosswise and reversed one half in such a way that a half circle of good teeth faced in each direction.
After replacement the wedge-shaped teeth held the coupling in position, and further to secure it manna was made to insulating tape, which was bound around the rubber.
Handling Heavy Lorry Wheels.
Tim handling of heavy lorry wheels is . a job which it may be necessary to perform in places where there is no trolley on whi,ch they can be wheeled about, or in some cases where the wellknown greasy board often used for the purpose cannot be found.
Our correspondent, " of Newcastle-on-Tyne, sends us his idea of the best way of handling such wheels where no appliances are at hand, and although this information may be well known to many, it may be new to some, and therefore useful.
To remove a wheel, be jacks up the axle until the wheel is only just clear of the ground. In this position the wheel can be easily turned and slid off its axle at the same time until it begins to tilt, and the tyre touches the ground. While in this position he pulls the lower part outward, then pulls the upper part outward, and by repeating this he eventually gets the wheel off.
To replace the wheel he rolls it up to the axle, then he forces it towards the axle until the latter is just inside the bole. Be then raises the jack a little so that the wheel tilts, and by alternately pushing the top and the bottom he gets it into place.
We cannot help thinking, however, that a greasy board would help the operation ; it is not difficult to find a board anywhere, whilst grease can be obtained wherever there is a motor lorry.
Notes on Accumulators.
THE accumulator is. one of the most abused parts on the average motor vehicle, and is one the life of which is practically in the hands of those in charge of it. It is important that the level of the electrolyte be kept well above the top of the plates, if not, that part of the plate which is uncovered will experience no useful chemical change, so that the capacity of the accumulator is reduced. When uncovered positive plates are liable to corrosion ; this is a disintegration of the active material; it starts only in a weak electrolyte, or where there is no electrolyte, but whennonce started it spreads rapidly and soon" ruins a plate.
The specific gravity of the electrolyte should be kept just above 1.200.; if too weak the before-mentioned fault of corrosion is liable to occur, if too strung the plates will be subject to sulphating, even if correctly charged.
Impurities are always liable to be introduced into accumulators if care be not taken when topping up and adding fresh acid. Different impurities net in different ways ; many cause excessive gassing at the plates, even when the cell is discharging, but all, according to " W.E.W.," of Erentford, cause either sulnhation or iiicreaseel local action, or both.
Smoking should not be indulged in near the accumulators; tobacco ash contains several harmful impurities, mid if any of it gets into the electrolyte it will
produce ill-effects. When topping up avoid using any metal container for either the acid or the distilled water ; always use One MOlie of -glass or earthenware.
A Stethoscope for Locating Knocks and Squeaks.
AN instrument for locating knocks and
'squeaks is described in the communication we have received from "II.G.C.," of Portsmouth. Re tells us that he has found this instrument of value when dealing with engines.
A piece of f-in. round steel, 2 ft. 6 ins. long, is turned down to and screwed with .a fine thread ; a hole is then bored in the centre of a diaphragfn of a discarded earphone, and two outs are used to connect the rod to the diaphragm. A hole iv bored in the casing of the earphone and the rod put through.
We have seen such an instrument used, but to many of our readers the idea may be novel.