B.V.P. Introduces Producer-gas Trailer
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COMpact Unit, Notably Well Constructed, Suitable for Commercial Vehicles Ranging from Light Vans
to Medium Weights
WHILST holding the view VY that the built-in type of producer-gas plant is preferable, British Vehicle Producer Gas, Ltd., 120, Pall Mall, London, S.W.1, recognizes that there is also definite scope for a trailer unit. For quickly converting an existing vehicle to operate on gas, the trailer represents an emergency measure and, apart from its few obvious disadvantages, is highly satisfactory.
The company has, therefore, introduced the B.V.P. trailer plant, and a demon stration of this and 'the various models of the built-in apparatus was staged at the premises of Kennings, Ltd., Edgware Road, London, the concessionnaire, on Friday of last week. The number of persons attending evidenced the interest that is now being taken in producer gas by operators.
A compact unit, the trailer outfit incorporates a proprietary chassis having a strong rolled-steel frame, Girling brakes, operated by automatic overrun gear or hand parking lever, and Dunlop 5,5-16 tyres, together with gas apparatus rigidly mounted and so positioned as to keep the centre ot gravity low.
Producer and filter are arranged one on each side of the axle and are in, rather than on, the trailer frame. This is diagonally braced, the front and Mar cross-members and the two diagonals providing three points of attachment for each component. Between them is the feed-water tank and on each side are the two cooling tubes.
Worthy of mention is the method of attachment of the last-named. They areclamped strongly to a structure of sturdy steel strip welded to the two main units and tied by a number of struts to these and to the upper and lower parts of the clamps. The whole should form an extremely stiff assembly. Across the front is a tuyere-cooling radiator mounted on rubber and stayed securely at the top.
With anthracite, the complete unit weighs approximately 9 cwt. and the hopper, which measures 3 ft. 6 ins. by 18 ins., holds nearly 2 cwt. of Progasite, which is said to represent a range of 150 miles with a 3-ton lorry. The price, ready for fitting, is £140. We are informed that delivery can be made in four weeks.
A further model will follow shortly; it will be of a " de luxe " type and will have the gas-making apparatus completely enclosed.
Included in the display of B.V.P. equipment were 15 sets of three different sizes. The latest design of filter was on view, with all its parts laid out for inspection, also the most up-to-date forms of gas-mixing valve. They are extremely well-made and neat units, for which the Zenith Carburettor
Co., Ltd., is responsible; one incorporates a petrol-enriching device whilst the other simply functions as a gas and air mixer and flow regulator.
In addition to the equipment on view, there were, at the time of our' visit, some 20 more plants on the premises, and we understand that main branches of the concessionnaire are also well stocked. Furthermore, we learn that there are 200 plants at the B.V.P. works.
We might also mention that there has now been issued a comprehensive and fully detailed spare-parts list, covering the entire range, and that literature dealing with producer gas in a general manner is being prepared.