Staff Needs Overhaul!
Page 55
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VOUR article headed "Spares Position Drastic," I published in your journal dated April 16, was read by me with great interest. Whilst I agree that some vehicle components are in short supply for some makes and models of commercial vehicle, I cannot believe that it is possible to have a coach immobilized during several weeks awaiting a mere fan belt.
If, however, this was the case, then it points to the fact that the staff responsible for providing such equipment needs overhauling. I have been obtaining spare parts from a large commercial-vehicle distributor for some years and, frankly, such a happening is fantastic to me, especially when we know that improvisation plays such a great part in the motor industry.
Newport, Mon. W. S. BROOM.
Rear Lighting Suggestions
I READ in your April 2 issue of The Commercial Motor I your very interesting article on the subject of rear lighting, in which you asked for useful suggestions.
Being a garage foreman I have had to be interested in these matters, and my idea has been to equip the taillamp circuit with small warning lamps (one for each rear lamp) on the instrument panel.
Wired in parallel with each rear lamp, should one fail, this would automatically be registered on the panel as with an oil-pressure warning light.
The little extra trouble taken with the wiring is repaid by the thought of rear safety at night.
As an additional luxury(?), I have fitted a small bulb holder at the side of the panel warning lamps, to carry a spare bulb, to be used only for the rear lamps, Urns giving more safety at night, as I would not have to get to my destination on one rear light. For new vehicles the panel warning lamps could easily be incorporated with the lighting switch.
Bristol. E. A. CHIVERS.
1N your issue for April 23, 1 read with interest a letter on rear lighting from L. B. Andrews. 1 quite agree with his opinion as to the danger which would be caused by the failure of an off-side rear lamp. As an auto-electrician employed by British Road Services, on one of their Midland repair centres, I have foreseen this difficulty and have put forward my opinion.
Already, we have wired each tail lamp on a separate circuit, but to my mind this does not completely covet the issue. At present, while I am ill and in hospital. I am working on a system of wiring which I think will reduce the risk of running with either rear lamp out of order, at least in the case of a driver with average intelligence.
I cannot understand why some such system has not been fitted as standard.
Malvern, Worcs. H. H. RICKARD.
Light Oil Used 20 Years Ago
WOULD like to confirm the remarks made under "Passing Comments" in your issue dated April 16, concerning the early use of light oils.
It is quite true that Price's gas-engine oil was in common use by us on our high-speed oil engines over 20 years ago. As far as 1 can remember the viscosity of this oil was 140 sec. Redwood I at 140° F.
Patricroft, HUGH GARDNER, Manchester. director, L. Gardner and Sons, Ltd.