New Equipment and Publications
Page 71
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Dipping by Electronics
A'TOMATIC headlamp dipping devices, already accepted in North America, have aroused little interest here. Yet
under our coniparatively heavier traffic conditions they might provide greater benefit. A Japanese-made automatic headlamp dipper is now available in this country from F. W. Kubach, Ltd., 12 Sylvan Road, London, S.E.19. It is named the Stanley Auto-eye and, as one might . expect, is said to be cheaper than other comparable equipment, although no price is given.
The light-sensitive receiver unit is mounted on the dashboard to face forward through the windscreen. It is triggered-off by the headlamps of approaching vehicles when they are approximately 250 yd. distant and, through a power-relay unit, operates the dip switch. The unit is said to be unaffected by street lighting or other light sources and can be overridden by the normal dip switch. The Erma hand crimping tool has been approved by Joseph Lucas, Ltd., for use with their Literimp connector bullets.
Metal Protection Fault Finder A SIMPLE instrument which facilitates rA the quick location of internal breaks in the cable of vehicle wiring systems is available from F. Kohn (Motor Accessories), Ltd., 81 Ashtree Waif, Croydon, Surrey. The Rapa Autotester consists of a plastics case containing a bulb, the contacts of which. are connected to a needle-pointed probe and a length of cable equipped with a crocodile clip.
In operation, the crocodile clip is earthed and the probe is pushed into the cable conductor near its end. If the bulb lights up the circuit is serviceable up to that point. Further checks along the length of the cable permit the break or fault to be accurately pin-pointed.
Battery Service THE 1.M.15 battery-charging unit produced by R. B. Ransome, Church Lane, Sproughton, near Ipswich, Suffolk, has an output of 15 amp, at 12 v. and will charge a typical large battery in
10-14 hours, It is designed for wall mounting, measures 1 ft. 5 in. by 1 ft. 24 in. by 74in. and costs £22.
A similar, but 10-amp., model is priced at £14 15s. For lower outputs, Ransorne offers two 5-amp, chargers; the 2.M.5 for feeding two batteries simultaneously at £15 15s. and the 3.M.5; at 123 10s., for three batteries. This manufacturer also offers an informative booklet giving advice, on battery charging, much of which is rarely observed or appreciated.
No Solder A HAND crimping tool offered by I-1 Erma, Ltd., Alperton, Wembley, Middx, for the solderless attachment of cable terminals and connectors has been approved by Joseph Lucas, Ltd., for use with their Lucrimp connector bullets. The tool, which is similar in outline to a pair of wire cutters, has three crimping jaws
• and will deal with a wide range of connectors.
Metal Protection APRIMER paint which is claimed also to be an effective rust neutralizer is manufactured by A. Sanderson and Co., Ltd., Hull, Yorks. It is not necessary to remove all traces of rust before applying the primer. In fact, it depends on a thin rust layer for its action of forming a keyed protective film on the metal. The primer, named Kurust, can be applied to damp surfaces.
Any type of paint finish can follow the primer, which is stated to have good weather and chemical resistance. Metal treated with Kurust can be welded or cut by an oxy-acetylene burner without impairing the film.
Tube Nipper ASMALL and simple screw-down valve for flexible plastics and rubber tubing is available from the Williamson Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Hawthorn Road, Willesden Green, London, N.W.I0. Known as the Nip, it embraces the tube, which is not broken to receive it, and merely squeezes the walls together to cut off the supply.
The valve is made from plastics and two sizes are available. The valve for tubing of outside diameter tube costs 12s. 6d. whilst the larger Nip can be fitted to tubes of diameter.
Big Mirror AN unusual but attractive shape has been chosen by Desmo, Ltd., Pensnett, Brierley Hill, Staffs, for their latest commercial vehicle mirror. The glass is of rounded pear-drop outline with maximum dimensions of 103in, by 7 in. It is fitted in a metal head and is secured by a waterproof sealing ring. The mirror, known as the Continental, is provided with a double ball-joint clamp and, in a silver hammered finish, costs £1 9s. 6d. Replacement heads are available.
Tyre Tags ANEAT method of indicating requisite tyre pressures on vehicle wings is provided by small chromium-plated discs with plastics numerals which are offered by M. F. Robertshaw, Ltd., Bletchley, Bucks. The 1-in-diameter indicators are backed with an adhesive substance by which they may be attached or they•can be secured by self-locking thumb screws. Numerals available range, in increments of 5, from 35-100 psi. A set Of four discs costs 15s.
Crepe Tape lkAASKING tape made of a crepe paper AVI which will stretch to _over a third more than its original length is offered by Metemicals (Cannon), Ltd., 60 Cheapside, London, E.2. Thus a 60-yd. roll of the tape, named Tesakrepp, provides an effective length of 80 yd. The flexibility of the masking allows it to conform well with . contours and surface
irregularities, The standard tape will resist temperatures up to 175° F. and is available in widths from in. to 4 in.
Available Gears HE
"Buyers' Guide," first published
by the British Gear Manufacturers Association in 1955, is now available in revised form from 301 Glossop Road, Sheffield, 10. The booklet covers gears, transmission units and gear production machinery. Activities of 55 members of the Association are listed.