A NEW IGNITION AND LIGHTING RECTIFIER FOR FORD VANS.
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ONE OF the outstanding features of the Ford construction is the special ignition system which has never ,been altered in principle, but only in minor details. It consists of four trembler• coils operated by alternating current from a low-tension -magneto, quite different from the standard type of magneto.The current generated fluctuates in 'strength to some extent according to the speed of the engine, and this is a disadvantage both for workireg of the coils and. for lighting of old-pattern Fords which are not fitted with a dynamo.
, By means of a simple rectifier deviee the alternating current can be made uniform in strength for the coils, and, at the same time, it can be used to charge an accumulator so as to provide steady lighting, which is not affected by engine speed. Light is also available when the engine is not running. Yet another advantage is that of ease of starting on a 12-volt battery, so that at the slowest pull round of the handle the engine starts.
The auto-mechanical rectifier consists of a simple commutator, or rotor, which runs on ball bearings, and is driven by
i-in. by 4-in. roller chain geared oneto-one from a sprocket fitted to thp outer end of the crankshaft. The rotor
_ is stoutly built up of copper segments, somewhat like a dynamo commutator, but is considerably. more simple. An adjustable copper gauze brush presses on the rotor, and there is a contact or slip ring on-each side with brush press
ing on each. A charging current of 8 amperes to 4 amperes is easily obtained. The rectifier requires no atten.tiou as the brush is self-adjusting. In being able to keep an accumulator., charged, it offers a valuable service, as an unsteady light is at all times bard to drive by.
The device can be fitted on any Ford, including the latest models. In this case, however, the battery is not used for lighting, but as an ignition current balancer. The complete equipment includes rotor and mounting, sprockets, chain, special switches, electric conversion fittings for oil lamps, bulbs and holders, 12-volt accumulator and wiring, and the price is f5 15s.
Further information can be obtained from Auto Mechanical Rectifiers, Ltd., Tabernacle Street, London, B.C. 2.