Saving 6000 Gallons of Petrol a Year.
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A striking illustration of the contribution offered by coal-gas. towards the
country's petrol extended by Road Motors, Ltd:, of Luton. This conipa.ny operates a fleet of three single-deck Palladium buses between Luton, Hitchin and Letchworth. The run is across country over exacting roads, and owing to the ab same of railwaY lacilihes tile vehicles are
heavily patronized. Although designed to carry 26 passengers, they are often ,taxed to double this capacity, while at times of pressure even more passen gers are crowded on board.
The company is extended a certain allowance of petrol, but this being quite inadequate to provide a full service throughout the week, it decided to adopt ecial-gas as a supplementary fuel. The gas bag 'fitted to the roof of the vehicle is of 400 cubic ft: capacity, and this is adequate to enable the vehicles to cover the trip of 26 miles on three charges, • The feed to the engine is so carried out as to enable either petrol or gas to be used as exigencies demand, and to allow, switching from one fuel to the other with every facility. Thus in hill-climbing gas is used until the motor shows signs of becoming distressed, when it is switched over to petrol. By this means speed can be picked up or maintained on the one gear. Changing speed, which would be imperative were gas fuel used, is avoided.
The company expresses complete satisfaction 'with coal-gas as a fuel, despite the fact that the run is decidedly exacting, owing to bills and the rough condi tion of the road. The saving in petrol consn mption is estimated at 500 gallons a month, which represents an aggregate of 6000 gallons during one year. This, at the current rate of 2s. id. per 1000 cubic ft. for gas, as against cost of petrol, represents a distinct saving to the company, • as well as one of decided benefit to the country. It might also be mentioned that the Palladium vehicles have put up a smart record, having notched 12,000 miles without repairs being needed.
Barton Safety Devices.
The pioneers of gas propulsion, Barton Brothers, of Beeston, have devised a combined alarm pressure gauge and safety _valve to be fitted to flexible containers, with a view to prevent overcharging, thereby avoiding the imposition of any undue strain upon the fabric. The device is a simple syphon having an internal diameter of 1 in. The syphon is charged with water to a predetermined level with the mouth covered by a piece of gauze or perforated bulbthrough which the water is forced or discharged owing to displacement set up by the excess pressure of as in the long pipe to which the device is attached.
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Above the water level on the last-named pipe a vibratory disc or -rubber band is placed, similar to a popular toy. When trio pressure within the bag is lifted above the prescribed degree, the pa causes the -reed to vibrate, -thus drawing attention to 3,he fact that the bag is fully charged, while at the same time of coarse, the water becomes ejected from the syphon. It will be Observed that the device, for which a patent has been applied, gives both audible and visual warning that the • bag has been fully charged. But should the intimation be disregarded, as, for instance, through the momentary absence of the attendant, no. injury is inflicted upon the container, inasmuch as the surplus I gas escapes —through-the syphon owing to the rupture of the water seal.
An Interesting Conversion.
Messrs. R. Heighten, Ltd.,V ulean Iron Works, Nelson,. Lancashire, have adapted a lorry, used extensively for the carrying of heas, castings to 'gas.' The lorry in question is an old Rover 20 h.p. teuring car. Purchased .12 years ago, it did a great amount of heavy work carrying passengers. Three years ago it was convertedlo business purposes, and is probably . doing.: now as heavy work as ever it has done.
A peculiar feature of the fitting of the gas container is that the supply pipe is placed at the rear instead of the more usual position at the front. It is contended that thereby a straight front to the wind is obtained and there 'is less likelihood of war at the junction of the supply pipe and the container. •,Further, it is more accessible for filling purposes from the floor of the lorry than by standing on the hubs or other fittings at the fore end of the car. With a 250 ft. container 10 miles can be run.
Ford Conversion Set.
A special Ford conversion set is being offered by A. R. Atkey and Co. Ltd., Compton Street, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, at an inclusive price of £23 10s. It is made throughout on the premises, and comprises a 250 cubic ft. container, wooden tray with clips, all necessary piping, gas cock, throttle-actuated gas cock, nuts and bolts, etc. The outfit can be attached to a Ford van in a few minute.
Gas at Power Rate.
The Corporation of Belfast has taken a step which might well be imitated throughout the United Kingdom. In its resolve to encourage the -wide utilization of this fuel for transport purposes it is granting supplies at the power rate instead of at the lighting tariff.
Gas Brevities.
Liverpool Gas Co. have fitted up three standard .filling stations: .
The Gas Committee of Bakevvell refuse to Supply gas for motor purposes. .
The cost of gas at Brigg for propulsion purposes is at the rate of 5s. per 1000 c. ft. , • The Taunton Motor Co. are prepared to fill gas bags at their garage, 54, East Street, Taunton.
The• conversion of vans, especially Fords, to gas in the Ipswich 'district is proceeding apace. . . • . The Evesham . Motor Engineering Co. is prepared to charge containers at 19, Port Street, Evesharn, Worcestershire, -.
• Gas bags can be charged in London at the Laystall Motor Engineering Works, Ltd., 34, Queen Street, E.C. 4,
Rossleigh, Ltd. have installed .a 250 light gas meter at their Olympia Garage, Northumberland • Road; Newcastle-onTyne.
Parsons and Kemball, Ltd., have established a filling station with flexible connection -at the Town Quay Garage, Southampton.
Atkey and Co., Ltd., have fitted a rotary meter, passing 3000 cubic ft:'an hour, at their garage in Compton Street, .Ashbourne, Derbyshire.
A 150 light meter with 2-in, gas connection • has been installed, by St. George's, Motor and Engineering Go.', St. George's Street, Ipswich, for charging containers.
Gas charges can be obtained at the garage of R. and H. Kilner, Wickham Road, Beckenham, Kent, at 5d. per 100 cubic ft., plus a charge of 641. for service, irrespective of size of container.
Messrs. Hans Renold are among the users of coal-gas for motor, vehicles in the Manchester area, and Messrs. Suttons, the Pickfords of the North, have also made a practical test in ...re same direction.
Gas refills at the rate of 4d. 'per 100 c. ft. read direct from meter can be obtained at the works 'of the Thornton Engineering Co., Humboldt Street,
Bradford.. A special meter passing 50 c.ft. per minute has been in.stailed for this duty.
Messrs. J. A. Challiner and Co., whose motor tyre showrooms facing Ardwick Green are well . known to 'Manchester motorists, are going thoroughly into the fitting of gas containers. They have already fitted some of the vans of Messrs. Lyons, the caterers.