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Competitive electrics from new Leyland Company

3rd November 1967
Page 48
Page 48, 3rd November 1967 — Competitive electrics from new Leyland Company
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By A. J. P. Wilding ACOMPANY called the BUT Electrical Co. Ltd. (BUTEC) has been formed as a whollyowned subsidiary of the Leyland Motor Corporation to manufacture starter motors, alternators and transistorized regulators under licence from the Leece-Neville Co. of Cleveland, USA.

Announcing the formation of BUTEC at a Press conference in London on Friday last week, Mr. John M. Kirkland, general manager of the concern, said: "Three years ago it was felt by the Leyland Motor Corporation that there was a need for an alternative supply of electrical equipment".

It was decided to set up such a company and, after investigation, look for existing manufacturers in Europe or America who would design equipment to the particular requirements specified.

Mr. Kirkland said that a company which reached the high standards set by Leyland was Lcece-Neville which is a leading manufacturer in America specializing in the heavy-vehicle field.

Components now being manufactured at a 200,000 sq. ft. factory established by BUTEC at Cleveland Road, Leyland, Lanes, consist of two types of starter, 30 amp and 60 amp alternators and a regulator. It was said that before going into production the units had been extensively proved in service in the US as well as in Britain. Agreement has been reached for BUTEC equipment to be fitted to vehicles made by main c.v, members of the Leyland Motor Corporation—Leyland, AEC, Albion and Scatnmell—and they will be standard on certain Leyland models before the end of the year.

The new Leyland Beaver with 10-speed automatic gearbox which, as reported elsewhere in this issue is to be at the Scottish Show, will have BUTEC etectrics. And now negotiations are taking place with other vehicle and engine manufacturing companies in this country.

The two starters in production are the MS1 which gives 10 hp and has a 74 lb.ft. break-away torque; and the MS3, where these figures are Shp and 60 lb.ft. respectively. The units have many parts in common and are designed for easy servicing. Both have a diameter of 5.125in. and are totally enclosed designs.

Unique pinion assembly

The starters are made up of separate sections each sealed from the next by an 0 ring—and the individual parts such as the solenoid unit, which is mounted on the outside of the case, and the pinion assembly can be replaced easily. The pinion assembly is a unique design, and only after there is full engagement with the starter ring can the drive start. There is a helix in the unit which ensures correct meshing and a ratchet device to prevent damage to the starter if the pinion sticks in mesh after the engine has started.

There are four models of alternator, two with six diodes and two with 9 diodes. Each is available with an output of 30 amp and 60 amp at 28 volts. Again, the majority of parts used are common and the units are compact. Diameter of both is 6.75in. and the alternators are specially designed for use on diesel engines; they have a lower cut-in than normal-650/700 rpm.

For certain applications there is the useful feature of a.c. supply connections on the outside of the casings. When this current is stepped up by means of a transformer mains voltage can be provided to allow portable electric tools to be powered from the vehicle electrical system.

The transistorized regulator weighs only 12 oz and is very small in comparison with contact types. An important feature is that the full voltage can be regulated between 26 and 30 volts. This provides for the regulator to be set according to the vehicle's type of work; a vehicle with a setting suitable for delivery work in built-up areas requires a higher setting than one on long-distance work—and if the high setting is retained for the latter there can be trouble with batteries "boiling". As it is considered that plug-in connectors do not stand up to heavy-vehicle use, screw connectors are fitted. And an important fact is that the regulator is repairable.

List prices quoted by Mr. Kirkland are as follows: 30 amp alternator, £45; 60 amp alternator £115 14s 3d; MS1 starter, £88 15s; MS3 starter, £78 lOs 6d; regulator, £9 2s 9d.

For servicing and sales, the UK has been divided into 21 areas, each with a main distributor. The aim is to give a 24-hour service seven days a week and BUTEC has laid down requirements as to equipment that must be installed and standards of personnel training. Except in a few cases, the distributors are existing Leyland Group depots or distributors and additional local dealers are now being appointed.

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Locations: London, Cleveland

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