Increased Range for Electrics
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TO increase the range of the battery'. electKic, Lansing Bagnall, Ltd., Isleworth, Middlesex, ,has introduced, in its' latest models, a new traction circuit and means for regeneration on overrunning. When slowing down or descending hills, power is regenerated into the batteries, which are thus, recuperated to extend the potential range of the vehicle.
Regeneration provides most of the braking effort, so that the Girling brakes fitted to two of the wheels suffer little wear. In the 'motion circuit the normal controller is replaced by contactors which always operate on no-load to prevent arcing or burning. To conserve energy there are no resistances in the circuit, and with a single depression of the accelerator the• vehicle draws smoothly away from rest without excessive flow of current.
Electrical Gear Grouped All the electrical components are carried as a unit, which, in the case of the 15-20-cwt. industrial truck, is located below the driver's seat. With this model, four car starter batteries of 12 volt and 72 or 85 amp.-hr. capacity at the 20 hr. rating, are fitted. These afford a range of 22-25 miles.
A retail delivery van, which will be in production shortly, will be equipped with car-type or low-capacity traction batteries, according to the requirements of the customer. A single motor of approximately l h.p. is standard on both models. The regenerative system is incorporated in an ac.-d.c. motor, using a single armature shaft in the same manner as a motor-generator.
The driving motor of the industrial models is linked by a chain and sprocket to drive the rear wheels, which have a
narrow track. A conventional :ear axle and propeller shaft will he used for the delivery van. To make acceleration smoother a magnetic clutch is fitted between the motor and driving sprock2, of the industrial vehieles.
Because of the new electrical circuit. no separate charging board is required. A lead and plug are fitted to the vehicle and it is necessary only to plug in to the nearest power point, when charging is automatically taken care of, with a
steep-taper rate of charge. A safety device cuts off the main supply when the batteries are fully charged.
Burman steering gear, in conjunction with Ackerman linkage, takes effect on the front wheels.
Weight of the industrial truck, complete with starter batteries, is approximately 10 cwt., and its price, with chaz.ging equipment and batteries, £325. The delivery-van price is not yet fixed, but its weight, with body, is estimated at 18 cwt.