Prested Accumulators. Motor Fire Engines.
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The Prested accumulator may fairly claim to be in the very front rank of this class of ignition apparatus. During the last two seasons its rapid increase in popularity has been remarkable, and it is noteworthy that the sales are still increasing, necessitating the Prested Company's works being run at their utmost capacity, and to meet the demand works extensions are being carried out. With a view to learning something of the secrets of the success of this accumulator a member of our staff recently paid a visit to the works at Elthorne Road, Holloway. The manufacture of the cells is carefully systematised, and every component, from the raw materials in the shape of pig-lead and sheet celluloid, is handled in the works. No part of the finished article, with the single exception of terminals, is made outside. The grids are cast in metal moulds from the best quality lead that can be bought. They are then trimmed up, and undergo the process known as " pasting," • which is the filling of the grid with oxide of lead paste. The oxide paste is most carefully prepared, and has incorporated with it certain materials which the company, by careful and exhaustive experiment, has found to increase the plate's capacity and durability. The finished plates are hard and smooth and, though of great strength, are light in weight. Next comes the very important " forming " process, which, in brief, is the method of rendering the plates capable of taking a charge. The company's apparatus for doing this is most complete. It consists of a large gas engine driving a charging dynamo and an elaborate arrangement of resistances, ammeters and voltmeters, switches and connecting terminals, and there is also a large battery to supply the main current to the plates being formed. The process is most carefully supervised, and no plate is passed till it gives its full rated discharge. After " forming " the plates have the lead connections burnt on. and are then ready ta be fitted up in the celluloid boxes. The company makes these complete and can supply any desired size promptly. The cases are excellent specimens, very strong at the Joints and of extra clear material. Celluloid separators are fixed between the plates to keep them in position and prevent risk of short circuit. With a view to rendering corrosion of the terminals impossible the lugs of the plates are carried through celluloid collars; these are then filled with acid-proof composition. The lock nut on the terminal screws down on this collar and makes a good tight joint. The finished cells are finally charged up in a special department, then sent to the packing department, and, for despatch by rail, are fitted in a wood case with handle. They then reach the purchaser in a condition quite ready for immediate use. Every size and shape of cell is in course of manufacture, including car and small lighting sets—some mounted up in special cases. A department the company is developing rapidly is its coil-making shop. All types of coils are being made from a miniature pattern for a motorcycle to the four-cylinder type for cars and traction motors. The trembler is a particularly fine piece of work, giving the highest possible number of vibrations, and the coil is wound strictly with the view of economising current. The " Prested" sparking plug, electric rear lamp and charging board also merit attention.
A committee of the Tottenham Urban District Council is considering the following report by Mr. S. M. Eddington, superintendent of the Fire Brigade, with respect to fire appliances for the Lower Ward :—" I have arranged plans and estimates for a single machine which shall embody life-saving and fire extinguishing combined. The cost of such an appliance will be considerably less than for two separate vehicles. There will also be a saving in the cost df buildings and the number of men. You need only have an engine hoise with one pair of doors, and reduced frontage accordirg,ly, and you need only build living accommodation for six men instead of 12. There will also only be the upkeep of one machine instead of two. The following: are the principal features of the suggested appliances. I submit two, one on a somewhat smaller scale than the other :—(a) A motor (35h p.), carrying hose tender, two 35-gallon chemical engines and pumps, capable of delivering about 250 to 300 gallons per minute. This machine would not carry an actual fire escape, but would, instead, have 3oft. of specially designed ladders. These ladders would be so arranged as to act instead of an escape; they would be more easily manceuvied, and amid be used for buildings having projecting shops in front of them, or they could be carried through front gardens or even through houses, or over walls, to the rear of premises, to positions which would ;probably be quite inaccessible to ordinary fire escapes. The cost of this machine would be ,1,200. (b) The second machine is on precisely the same lines as the first, but has a more powerful engine, larger chemical engines, carries more hose, and also has more ladders, and for exceptional buildings it is provided with special Pompier ' ladders. These are the main points in its favour, but it should also be remembered that a machine of this h.p. would work at less than half the number of revolutions the smaller one does.
"Such an engine, if purchased, would obviate the necessity for any further pumping power, no matter what developments occurred in the parish. The following would be its main features :—Engine power, 8o to tooh.p. ; pumping power, over boo gallons per minute; chemical engines, two so gallons; ladders, 4oft., and two lengths of ' Pompiers ' for special heights. Speed and pumping can be regulated down to any point desired, by means of a special adjustment on the ignition. Cost, .4.1,46o, or, say, 4i,5oo, Chemical engines have done such splendid work in this parish during the past two years that I have allowed for for them in both these machines."