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A MOBILE GENERATING SI

29th October 1943
Page 26
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Page 26, 29th October 1943 — A MOBILE GENERATING SI
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ION AND WATER WORKS P-THE exigencies of the war have been responsible for the I creation of types of vehicle embodying many unusual features, and the one now under review is certainly worthy of a position high. up in the list for novelty and interest. It may well be described as a mobile generating station and water works, having as its basis a Thornycroft Sturdy chassis, with a four-cylindered, side-valve petrol engine of 3.865 litres capacity, -developing 60 b.h.p. at 2,400 r.p.m. This unit is mounted well behind the front, axle to permit of the installation of a 20 Kw. a-c. generator forward of it, and within the confines of the bonnet. This generator is driven off the front end of the engine crankshaft, to which it can be dog-clutched through the medium of a lever in the driver's cab. Engine speed is mechanically governed within fine limits, and suitable precautions have been taken to prevent the vehicle being set in motion while the generator is engaged.

-The cab, as will be seen from the illustrations, is of ' unusually large dimensions, being designed to acCommodate the driver and his mate in the forward position, and a mechanic and control panel in the rear.

So far as the cab is concerned, this follows, generally, the maker's standard forward-control type, the engine, as will be seen, being positioned immediately below it. The

rear half is partitionedoff -from -the driving compartment, -lint the "methaniCatthe control paneh can com.miinicate .Witlf the d river by sliding back a panel in .the bulkhead.This latter compartment has a full-length door on each side, that on the near Side being the means for "entry and the one .on the 'off 'side providing -access-to the back bf the'Control panel. ' There is, of course, a seat for the mechanic.

In addition 'to. the controls 'essential 'for operating the vehicle, there are levers in the cab for engaging the power take-off and pump drive, and a third. lever for engaging and disengaging the electric generator.. " .

The water works part of the vehicle is at the rear where a 500-gallongalvanized-Won tank; with requisite gear for filling and discharging, together with essential filter apparatus, is installed. A manhole, sump, and baffles Lre incorporated in the tank which has special facilities for easy cleaning.

It is filled by means of'a power-driven -pump and emptied by the same means; or by-gravity, as desired. All the water

which enters the tank must pass through two filters interposed in the pipe line, a change-over cock being provided so that, at will, the water to one filter may be cut off to enable it to be cleaned while pumping is in progress.

The casing, which completely encloses the tank, is specially insulated against extremes of beat and cold. When operating under conditions of unduly low temperature, special heating lamps should be fitted. Hinged covers in the side of the casing give access to the lamps, the water. pump and cocks controlling the flow of water. Water, air and insulation temperature gauges, together with the waterlevel indicator, ire mounted outside the casing, on the off side, being protected from damage by a suitable hinged metal cover.

Pump and gravity delivery and suction pipes are brought out through the casing on the near side. Two lengths of suction hose, with a strainer, form part of the accessories ; the lift of the pump is 20 ft.

In the space formed between the back of the cab and the front end of the tank, a spare wheel and tyre, on a special carrier, are accommodated on the off side, whilst, on the near side, is a 22-gallon petrol tank which feeds the carburetter by gravity.

In vieW of the unusual duties imposed upon the engine, special attention has been devoted to the cooling arrange ments. In consequence, it can be run for long periods at a stretch in the capacity of a stationary power plant, whikt provision is made to combat extremes in atmospheric tem

peratures when the machine is in normal use on the road. The sphere of 'usefulness, of such a vehicle at the present time will be obvious, but it would seem that it could serve a very useful pest-war duty in many directions. For instance, it should prove particularly useful to travelling showmen,. or-to exhibition organizers. Then, again, there i3 the timber industry, where a ready supply Of electric power, available at any point desired, should prove a veritable boon.

In ,peace time, as is well known, many hundreds, of people spend their holidays at recognized camping sites where means for lighting and •c2oking are non-existent -and where supplies of fresh water are seldom available.;

In such circumstances, the owners of the,se sites might find the investment a profitable , one, as there is no doubt that the extra cod venience would be appreciated by the campers.

Electricity, could be . used for lighting and

cooking; in fact, it would bring most of the amenities of the home to the caravan.

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