Application of Self-starters to Fire-engines.
Page 6
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Considering the application of self-starters to industrial machines, we feel sure that there is no better exemplification of the maximum degree of utility to which they can be put than in their being fitted to motor-propelled fire-fighting equipment. We record an excellent example in this respect in which a WardLeonard self-starter is installed in a Commercar fireengine chassis which is being put through to an order from Vancouver, British Columbia.
The chassis is at the present time at the works of
Henry Siraonis and Co., Wahhamstow, at which establishment we recently had an opportunity of inspecting the starter in position on the chassis. It is of the single-unit type, being supplied with a. serieswound armature and suitable reduction gear, and the outfit is ready for immediate installation. We noted
with interest that the Fuller type of block accumulator was incorporated in the system. Readers will remember the description of this particularly-substantial form_ of storage-battery which appeared in our issue of the 2nd October last.
Six. accumulators are supplied, two of which are connected up in series and three in parallel, the reason for this being the large amperage required for startingup purposes.
The starter, which is marketed in this country by Morris, Hussain and Co., Ltd., 6, Great Eastern Street, RC_ has a capacity of 100 amperes at 6 volts, which is roughly equivalent to '.8 h.p. The engine to which it is coupled is a six-cyliuder motor of 00 h.p. The unit is disposed under the footboards to the left of the driver, and is mounted on transverse members of the chassis. The forward edge of thee, -engine flywheel is provided with a ring gear which meshes with a. driving pinion on the starter, the total reduction being 30 to 1. To bring the starter into engagement, a small pedal is depressed against a compression spring, and so operates the sliding pinion.
Notwithstanding the fine module of the teeth which are provided, it is possible on occasion that the sliding pinion will not come into engagement, and, to show that this is a matter which has been thoroughly considered by the makers of the starter, a small by-pass switch is fitted which is sufficient to operate the starter until the driving pinion will mesh with the gear on the flywheel. Once the gear is in mesh, by merely further depressing the starting pedal, a main switch is actuated which immediately causes the armature to revolve with a sufficient number of revolutions to start the engine.
When the engine begins to run on its own power, the revohitions of the starter, of course, increase. To Provide against the -chance of damage due to such is crease, an over-running free wheel is provided.