FORD VAN POINTERS.
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By R. T. Nicholson (Author of "The Book of the Ford").
THE up-to-date Ford is, of course, fitted with electric side lights. There is, however, quite a number of 1920 starter models running about the world which are fitted with oil side lights. Owners of such vans may be interested to know that it is an easy matter to fit them with eketrio side rights—preferably mounted on the front mudguards, so as not to displace the existing oil lamps on the dash—which can then be retained for
emergency use. ,
487.—Electric Side Lights.
Suitable lamps can be bought from Brown Bros., Ltd., Great Eastern Street, London, E.C. 2, or from Messrs. A. J. Dew and Co., 21-25, Endell Street, London, W.C. 2, and their cost will be in the neighbourhoo of 35s. -45s. each, plus cost of switch, wiring, and fixing. A handy man can do the fixing for himself. •
The idea is to use the magneto current for lighting the bulbs of the new side lights—much as it was used for lighting the headlights in the old (non-starter) model.
From the terminal on the terminal block, whence three wires already run (one to horn button, one to magneto, and one to magneto terminal of ignition switch), run a fourth wire to a new switch on dash. Such switches can be bought from either of the concerns named (1s. 6d.-3s. being their price), or an or
dinary domestic lighting switch can be used:Fix the new wire to one of the terminals of the switch. From the other switch terminal run a wire to one of the new side lights. If it passes under the front mudguard—as it should do to be really neat—better use armoured cabling. The connecter plug and the bulb should be of the double-contact (two-pole) variety. The voltage of the bulb should be 8, with 16 c.p. From the side light now rigged up, carry a wire to the second side light, similarly arranged, and from that
carry a wire to earth. The accompanying sketch shows the method.
Whenever you now switch on (at the new switch) the side lights will come op, and give a very healthy blaze.
You are not bound to use 16 c.p. bulbs, although they must be of 8 voltage. You can get the lamps Of any desired c.p. within reason to take 8 volts. If you want a dimmer light, therefore, you can have it.
It is, however, a good point in the suggested arrangements that, if your headlights fail, you can at any time drive on your side lights, with sufficient illumination to make driving safe. One Ford owner I know has such an arrangement on his up-to-date van. He feeds his headlights with battery current, "and his side lights with magneto es30
current. This, of course, means disconnecting at terminal block the wires ordinarily feeding his side lights, and fitting wiring in the way I have described. He considers that he has in this way achieved two things ; in the first place, he spares his battery current (none _of it now being needed for his headlights), and, in the second place, should his battery current fail, he can always drive on his magneto-fed side lights. He is thus " insured " against lighting failure • for it is almost out of the question that both battery and magneto systems should break down at the same time.
The Ford owner in question uses 16 c.p. bulbs in his side lights, so that they may give sufficient illumination when called upon to do so. As, however, he wante to keep his side lights reasonably dim for ordinary use, he coats the glasses internally with whiting, so that there is no glare from them. When he wants to get full illumination from them, he simply removes the glasses, and wipes off the whiting—and there you are 1—or rather, there he is.
"What does he do about his tail light if his battery fails?" He chances it. It would, however, be quite possible to run his tail light in series with his two side lights, using three 6-volt bulbs.
If you think of following any of the plans here detailed, on no account forget to disconnect, at terminal block, the standard (battery) wiring feeding the lamps concerned, or you may get into trouble by passing battery current through your magneto. I should add that armoured cabling costs about Is. 4d. a yard. For the purposes named it should be single (noti twin) wired, although twin-wired cable will serve quite well if the twin wires are connected up at both ends of each length:
488.— Clearing the Screen.
I have been asked to say something as to the possibility of keeping the screen clear in such wintry weather as we have been having this summer.
There are special preparations for the purpose. Glasso and Kleerra, for instance, are quite good. There are also special wipers made and sold— generally in the nature of a swinging arm, fitted with a "wipe "—by means of which the collected wet can be mopped off. An ointment with a half-and-half mixture of glycerine and methylated spirit will do the trick : so will a rub overwith an apple or a potato, cut through flat for the purpose. If the glycerinemethylated spirit mixture is used, it should be sprinkled on, and then spread with a rag till all filminess disappears. Another tip is to keep a clean rag into which a little glycerine has been allowed to soak, The screen is wiped over with this, excess glycerine being afterwards removed with another (clean) rag. The worst of it is that all these methods have but temporary effect, although temporary effect is better than nothing at all. . If you could invent some simple method of keeping the screen spotless when rain or snow is falling, you would, I think, make a nice little fortune. If you do, do not forget me in the corner of your will. Remember—I put you up to it 1
489.—Washing.
A correspondent is good enough to write :—" I have often been complimented on the appearance of my Ford, and find the following gives the best results after a muddy run. Work with hose in one hand and sponge in the other, keeping the .two close
together, and running them over all the enamel work except. the radiator. Then go aver wheels and axles with hose in one hand and brush (with bristles all round) in the other. Then wipe all drops off the enamel with a clean -wash-leather, which leaves the bodywork with an excellent polish. I have never found it necessary. to use either petrol or paraffin for the wheels, nor any paste for the body: The windscreen can be kept clean in exactly the same way—with sponge and leather."
Good! There is no doubt that water is best, if the washing is properly done. That means, however, that. the washing should be done when the mud is still wet. Otherwise it cakes, and than it takes a lot Of shifting, and means scratching, or use of a drop of something stronger than water. It is best not to use either paraffin or petrol, if their use can be avoided ; and it can be avoided if the washing is done at the right time. The worst of it is that one does not always feel up to the job after a day's driving and delivery, and the work is then postponed till " to-morrow."
There is a lot in "leathering." It is not pufficient to get the dirt off : the. water must be got off, too. Otherwise it leaves' the paint spotty, and much spotting means dull paint. Do not " let her dry " : dry her, There's nothing like leathering, as the small boy said after he had asked for " a penn'orth of strap oil:'