TURNING NIGHT INTO DAY.
Page 31
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A Few Suggestions About Lamps as Put Forward by Our Driver and Mechanic Readers.
WHAT is the darkest thing on earth? Wig Opinions naturally differ on such an important subject, but most of us, we are sure, would incline to the belief that the middle of an unlit country road, on a cold, stormy winter's night, and immediately 'following the sudden and unforeseen extinction of the vehicle's lights, is worthy of consideration in this connection. Certainly there be few drivers, indeed, who would not welcome a few hints as to the care of their lamps, to the end that the possibility of thcir meeting with such an experience may be rendered more remote. At any rate, I feel sure that we may welcome, on their behalf, the following contributions:– We dislike making invidions distinctions, but as an extra five shillings is awarded the sender of the best suggestion which is received each week, we are bound to make some distinction, for which reason the following tip about Ford rear lamps, although not novel as regards the main idea which . underlies it, is considered the best of this week's hatch because of the ingenuity displayed in the selection and arrangement of the accessories and wiring.
A Combined Oil and Electric Rear Lamp.
The writer (" F.W.," of Sturton), after paying graceful tribute to Mr. B. T. Nicholson, goes on to point out that those Ford • vans which are not equipped with independent lighting sets are at a disadvantage somewhat in respect of a rear lamp, since, if ,z.ne of the electric variety is fitted, it is necessary to keep the engine running all the time the vehicle may be at a standstill, otherwise the lamp goes out and trouble with the law follows, " as the night the day," as Shakespeare would so aptly have put it. On the other hand, an oil lamp is generally a bit of a —well, nuisance!
His remedy—a combination oil and electric rear lamp—is not new.' He recommends the selection of the smallest size of bulb holder, which should be so located in the lamp that the largest bulb which may be used will dear the top of the oil burner. He also points out that the effect of vibration on the equipment may be minirnied if the bayonet-joint end of the holder be compressed so that it fits tightly on to the bulb. In most cases a packing ring, such as that indicated by E on the i sketch, will be necessary n order to locate the bulb properly within the lamp.
Those drivers who are prepared to risk subsequent trouble for the sake of avoiding a little at the outset, may be content with the arrangement indicated by the upper part of the sketch. The majority, we are sure, will turn with interest to the lower one, which shows a simple system of wiring which is advantageous in many ways. Little explanation is required. C is one-half of an ordinary wall plug, of which A is the remainder. B is a piece of kin. brass rod designed. on occasion, to replace A. With the rear lamp in use as an electric, plug A is inserted. When the lamp has to be used as an oil-lamp the bulb must be removed. If something goes wrong with the lighting, remove A and replace by B. This is helpful in locating trouble, since the rear lamp is thus eliminated.
A Rear Lamp Fixing.
" Jill." (Stepney) uses a rather cumbersome method of avoiding trouble with oil rear lamps, although we are quite willing to believe him when he states that it is effective. He couples the lamp to its bracket by means of an ordinary spring bracket taken from the rear of a cycle lamp, thus reducing the effects of vibration. We should imagine that, in his first effort along these lines, he used a cycle lamp fitting alone, and immediately found that it did not afford sufficient support, for he supplements it by a tension spring attached to the top of the lamp and secured to the underside of the vehicle body.
Replacing Burnt-out Bulbs.
" M.S.W.," of Scarborough, is clearly a man who does not lose his head in a crisis. Quite recently, we understand, he completely burnt out a set of electric bulbs. That occurrence, disturbing in itself, was not the worst thing to happen to him that day, for he discovered, as the result of a search, that he had no spares of the right size. The damaged bulbs were Fin. diameter where they entered the sockets; those in
stock were onlys Carefully removing the glass from the old lamps, " M.S.W." cut the Fin, caps to the same length as those of the Fin, bulbs in stock. The smaller bulbs were then placed with the caps inside the large ones, and secured there by means of pitch, melted for the purpose, poured into the gap, and left to set. A small brass disc was then soldered on to each lamp terminal to make the contacts wider.
Lamps Alight.
On Saturday, April 1st, light your lamps at 8 in London, 8.9 in Newcastle, 8.8 in Birmingham. 8.17 in Edinburgh, 8.14 in Liverpool, 8.10 in Bristol, and 8.57 in Dublin.