An Inexpensive Qas-bag Ou tfit
Page 29
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Conversion of Vehicles to Operate on Town Gas is a New Activity of Egertons (Ipswich), Ltd. The Instal lation is Well Executed
Q INCE the beginning of the war, Egertons (Ipswich), Ltd., Northgate, Ipswich, has been experimenting with low-pressure town gas as a fuel for road vehicles, and is now actively engaged in marketing equipment, including gas-bags and mixing valves. This apparatus possesses certain distinctive features which give it especial interest.
In the accompanying picture is seen an Austin with an Egerton installation. It is one of the service vans of the Ipswich Gas Co., which organization was the first to place an order for the gas equipment with the Egerton company.
The installation incorporates a number of noteworthy features. Among these may be named the low tray in which the bag is carried. Its sides are only 1 ft. high—an important point where headroom is limited. Attachment of tray to bag is along the top edges of the former, whilst the container is kept under control by elastic straps, which also serve to maintain a low gas pressure during deflation.
Described as a dual-purpose instrument, the carburetter is of novel design and enables a change from petrol to gas, and vice versa, to be made with great ease, the operation being effected merely by moving a small lever on the dashboard. In the carburetter there are no spring-loaded valves, and the proportion of gas to air is maintained at a constant figure throughout the range of throttle openings and engine speed by a dash-pot device controlled by engine suction. Gas is definitely shut off when the throttle is closed. Easy starting and economy are claimed for the instrument. With regard to the latter, we are informed that 23 miles can be traversed by a 27 h.p. van on 300 cubic ft. of gas. With gas at is. per 250 cubic ft., this represents a useful economy.
The contents of the larger bag standardized is 300 cubic ft., and a complete conversion set ,costs £25, including the charge for installation; with a 250 cubic ft. bag the price is £20. For operators or converting concerns wishing to employ the Egerton carburetter, £2 •7s. 6d. is charged for converting a standard S.U. carburetter. a3