AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

Are You Prepared for

25th November 1938
Page 36
Page 37
Page 38
Page 36, 25th November 1938 — Are You Prepared for
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

WINTER OPERATION?

WHILS1 there are but few indications at the time of writing -1 the need for non-skid chains, garage heaters and other equipment such as is called for during the winter months, this should be no excuse for not being prepared for eventualities. Twice around the clock and we may be faced with frost, snow and ice, causing, maybe, considerable inconvenience consequent upon cracked water jackets. difficult starting, spinning wheels and the usual run of irritating troubles with which winter operation is beset.

There are, too, the questions of the long hours of darkness and spells of fog, calling for the best in driving lights, if the driver is to be relieved of unnecessary anxiety.

Dealing first of all with non-skidding devices, it is assumed, in the first place, that the tyres are in a reasonably good state, for smooth treads, at all times, constitute a danger. When conditions become really difficult a solution is to be found in the fitting of non-skid chains, of which there are several efficient makes available, including Parsons, Jay-Bee and Grill.

Non-skid Chains That Can be Quickly Fitted and Removed.

Parsons chains, which are made by the Parsons Chain Co., Ltd., Worcester Road, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcester, are essentially of two types.--C and D— for single and twin wheels respectively, each being similar in respect of material and construction. Parsons chains con• sist of two side chain members, and a number of cross chains, attached to these members, by means of a patent lever coupling.

A point about these chains is that they are free to creep, which, it is claimed, prevents injury to the tyre. Prices range from £2 15s. to £6 10s. per pair, for the C type, and from E3 5s. to £6 10s, per pair, for the D type.

This concern also makes a strap-on emergency tyre grip for 32 by 6 tyres, the price, for eight grips—four per wheel—being £2 8s.

A non-skid chain recently introduced is the Jay-Bee Commercial, the makers of which are Messrs. Joseph Billingham, Providence Works, Cradley Heath,

26

tyre by means of a ch....1n strap. It is recommended that at least three of these be fitted to each rear wheel and. in the case of twins, to only the outside tyre.

It is noteworthy that only the centre length of chain actually grips the tyre; the two outer chains are allowed a certain amount of slack, which has the effect of dislodging any snow and ice which might, otherwise, build up on the tyre. Securing and releasing takes but a feet 'seconds, and there is no difii. cult3r in getting the necessary adjustment. For 32 by 6 tyres the price is 11s. each, and for 34 by 7 tyres, 12s. 6d. each.

Messrs. John Griffiths and Son. Dudley Wood, Cradley Heath, Staffordshire, are responsible for Griff non-skid chains, which encompass the whole wheel, as opposed to the unit type. Prices range from £4 5s. per pair, for 32 by 6 tyres, to £6 per pair, for 34 by 7 twins.

Portable Heaters Keep the Frost from the Garage.

Where a garage has no inbuilt system of heating, the use of some form of portable heater would appear to be a necessity and, here, operators have a number of satisfactory types from which to choose.

James Neale and Sons, Ltd., Graham Street, Birmingham, is responsible for the range sold under the name of Raydyot. A useful type is the eightday heater which burns paraffin and sells for 7s. 6d. Means for suspending the heater are provided.

In its Frostguard heater, Joseph Lucas, Ltd., has a lamp which burns for 250 hours on one filling of paraffin. The No. Z35 model sells at 7s. 6d.

Designed, primarily, for use under the engine sump, the Desmo super heater (Desmo, Ltd., Stafford Street, Birmingham), has an overall height of

61 ins. The reservoir holds half a gallon of paraffin—sufficient for 250 hours burning. As the oil container has welded joints, there is little chance of leaks developing. This heater sells for 14s. 6d.

Direct protection of the cylinder block, under conditions of frost, is provided by the use of a non-freezing mixture in the radiator, but it is no use trying to economize by making a little go a long way. The quantity of mixture required, in any given cooling system, is governed by its capacity, and the temperature at which protection is needed.

Of the better-known proprietary brands of non-freezing preparations such names as Bluecol, Zero, Roman Chemico, Syncol and Tisit come to mind. Bluecol is a speciality of S. Smith and Sons (Motor Accessories), Ltd., Cricklewood, London, N.W.2., and much useful information is given in Bluecol literature. For protection against 15 degrees of frost the quantity needed is equal to 10 per cent., by volume, of the capacity of the cooling system; for 25 degrees, 15 per cent., and for 35 degrees, 20 per cent. One of the main claims made for Bluecol, apart from the obvious one, is that it is non-corrosive, an important point when a thermostat is used in the cooling system.

The East London Rubber Co., Ltd., 29-33, Great Eastern Street, London, F..C.2, is responsible for Elrico radiator mixture, which sells in five-gallon drums.'

Interior heating of a passenger vehicle has long been recognized as an essential to comfort, and as the radiator of the vehicle represents a convenient source from which to tap a supply of hot water, this system is that most usually employed. An alternative scheme is to utilize the heat of the exhaust gases, and this method is adopted in the Widney Iclampon, for which Hallam, Sleigh and Cheston, Widney Works, Bagot Street, Birmingham, is responsible.

In this design, a heater-box encircles the exhaust pipe at a point just below the manifold, fresh air being forced to the box by the fan and the forward motion of the vehicle. Warm air is led off, either to radiators or to spray or ventilator-types of control.

A heater in which the hot water in the cooling system of the vehicle is used is the Tropic-Aire, which is handled by S. Guiterrnan and Co., Ltd., 35-37, Aldermanbury, London, E.C.2. It is designed for coupling up to the head of the cylinder, the water being conducted to a small radiator, from which the heat is distributed by a motor-driven fan, working off either a 6-volt or 12-volt supply. Prices range from E4 15s. for the 6-volt general model, to E8 5s, for the 12-volt duplex type.

A System Providing for Automatic Control of the Air Temperature.

A system designed for incorporating in large passenger vehicles is that produced by Clayton Dewandre and Co., Ltd., Titanic Works, Lincoln. It is equally suitable for single-deck or double-deck vehicles, it being necessary to use two heater units in the case of the double-decker.

The heater is of the type which uses the hot water from the cooling system of the vehicle. The essence of the unit is a radiator having an electric fan for circulating the air, built in as an integral part. In cases where a thermo

stat is not already installed, a suitable thermostat diverter is supplied and this ensures the water being conducted to the heater radiator at a constant temperature. Another fitting is an air thermostat, which functions as a sensitive electric switch covering a range of temperatures.

The Clayton heating system is essentially Practical for it keeps not only the interior of the vehicle corn fortably warm, but ensures that the air is maintained at a temperature in keeping with the conditions obtaining.

Evolved with the dual efforts of S. Smith and Sons (Motor Y...ccessories), Ltd., and the Eastern Counties Omnibus Co., Ltd., the Smith-Eastern heater works on the cooling system ..)t the vehicle. An essential part of the installation is a Smith IR,P. thermostat which, in addition to controlling the temperature of the engine, supplies hot water to radiators positioned at convenient points in the vehicle.

William Truswell and Son (Sheffield), Ltd., Durham Foundry, Cossey Road, Sheffield, is responsible for a coachheating installation known as the Metcalfe. Here, again, the main radiator water is brought into service, the salient features of the system being its automatic action and perfect control over temperature.

An Interior. Heater Which Can be Used With a Defroster.

In the AC heater, which is made by the A.C.-Sphinx Sparking Plug Co., Ltd., Dunstable, the radiator water is .by-passed, the face of the heater proper being louvred and rotatable, enabling the heated air to -be directed where required. A small electric fan, suitable for 6-volt or 12-volt supply, according to requirements, assists in the circulation.

If desired a windscreen defroster can be supplied to work in conjunction with the heater, The price of the heater is E3 10s., the extra charge for the defroster being 10s. 6c1.

Long stretches of indifferently lighted roads and the possibility of encountering wide belts of fog, call for the best possible in lighting equipment. Length of beam is not, perhaps, of such importance as reasonable length combined with good spread. Whatever may be the requirement, examples of suitable lamps are available from all the best makers.

Of the, range sqld by Simms Motor Units, Ltd., Oak Lane, East Finchley, London, N.2, the type 6AFB.3.F., fog and pass lamp is fitted with a lens which gives a graded beam. The body and bezel are cast in aluminium, and the lamp can be fitted with the bracket either at the top or bottom.

Then we have the well-known Notek universal fog and traffic lamp, made by the Notek Electric Co., Ltd., 230-234, 13rixton Road, London, S.W.9. A feature of this lamp lies in the use of a triple reflector which projects three distinct beams-one straight forward on to the road surface, and one to each side. These separate beams are actually merged into one composite fan-shaped baud of light, possessing even distribution. Special claims are made for its efficiency under-conditions of fog driving. Finished in black, with either bottom or pendant fitting, the price is £3 7s. 6d.

Joseph Lucas, Ltd., Birmingham, makes a comprehensive range of head lamps, of which the FT37 pass light and fog lamp, which gives a flattopped beam, is of interest. It costs £2 10s in ordinary finish, 7s. 6d extra being charged for the chromium-plated article.

In its type PS cast lamp, C.A.V.Bosch, Ltd., Acton, London, W.3, has a special model . for commercial vehicles. Of robust constructiOn, it is in cast aluminium throughout and is water-tight. It projects a beam devoid of upward glare, and is sold for £3 6s. Type P.S.M., with fluted glass, costs an extra 6s_ Bosch, Ltd., Larder' Road, Acton, London, W.$, makes a lamp which gives a beam with a spread of approximately 160 degrees. It is obtainable, either with a fixed or dipping reflector, at E2 5s. and £3 14s. respectively. It is known as model NE170.

In its Meteor lamp, James Neale and Sons, Ltd., has a piece of equipment in which beams of three directional properties are blended to give a field of light of long range and wide angle. Prices range from £2 13s. for model P, to £3 7s. 6(1. for model A. the chief differences being in the diameter and nature of the finish.

McNaught anti-clazgle fog and road lamps, which are made by McNaught B28 Lamps, Ltd., Lawson's Road, Thornton, Blackpool, effectively fulfil their respective purposes. Taking the fog lamps, for example, these incorporate a new principle of prismatic penetration for which effective visibility in the densest fog is claimed. These lamps range in price from £2 Ss. to £3 7s, 6d., and for the anti-dazzle type from £2 15s. to £3 12s. 6(1.

Two Flat-topped Beams Giving Penetration and Spread.

Of the range made by Trippe Lights. Ltd., Pellon Works, Halifax, the commercial model is priced at /2 15s. It is of substantial construction, being made of steel pressings, and incorporates the Trippe principle, in which two beams are projected-one for penetration z.ad the other for spread.. The rim and glass are mounted as a unit and sealed against the ingress of dust and moisture.

Models of interest in the range of Atlantic lamps, made by Butlers, Ltd., Atlantic Works, Grange Ilad, Small Heath, Birmingham, are to be found in its S/593, 5/592 and S/591 types. All ,three project flat-topped beams and, when mounted on the bumper bar, are particularly useful in fog. In black and chromium finish, prices range from £.1 3s. 6d. for the 7-in. model to 13s. 6d. for one of 51-m. diameter.

Marchal dual-purpose fog and auxiliary lamps are specialities of Messrs. C. V. Desiderio, 143, Whitfield Street, London, W.1. Features in their design lie in the use of a multiplesection reflector and the employment of two special filaments, both of which are in focus with superimposed reflecting surfaces. The main beam supplements the normal headlights, and the auxiliary beam provides for effective lighting under conditions of fog. The cheapest model is priced at £2 5s. and the most expensive at £4.

A Vacuum Pump for use With Suction type Screen Wipers.

An effective windscreen wiper is an essential all the year round, but its value is certainly appreciated to a greater extent during the wintei months. Those operators who run vehicles with wipers of the suction type will be interested in the vacuum pimp, for which Trico-Folberth, Ltd., Great West. Road, Brentford, is responsible. Its purpose is to maintain a vacuum in the wiper circuit, even when the throttle is wide open. The pump is provided with a flat-faced pulley which takes its drive from the " back ' of the fan belt. It sells, complete with all fittings, for £1 5s. This concern is also responsible for a low-priced windscreen defroster. It is of the electrical type, and is held in position by means of four suction cups. For either 6-volt or 12-volt supply the price is 19s. 6d.

By way of conclusion, it may be as well to mention that most of the foregoing items are obtainable through such accessory dealers as the East London Rubber Co., Ltd., Brown Bros., Ltd., and other leading factors


comments powered by Disqus