Four New American Electrics.
Page 17
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, T HAT America has by no means lost its faith in
the battery electric vehicle is shown by the
fact that not long ago three new light delivery vehicles were shown, for the first time, at New York. They were a 15-20-cwt. Kelland and two Milburn clectrics—one to carry 5 cwt. and the other 10 cwt.
Of the. last-named vehicles, the small model has been built for the delivery of small packages, whilst the larger is adopted for laundry work. The same makers are also, marketing a new 1-ton model. In the Milburn vehicles particular attention has been paid to the matter of changing the batteries with expedition, and a completely charged battery may. in 10 minutes, he substituted for one that is discharged. They are mounted in standardized trays which run into and out of the containers on special tracks. .
A special feature of the Milburn electric is the Hi-Lo switch. The use of this device is said to be very advantageous in congested traffic and where there are many stops; it reduces the normal speed of the vehicle by ono-half, cutting down the current consumption and lessening wear and tear. The highspeed position of the switch is utilized when the vehicle is travelling over fairly long distances with out many stops. The motor, controller, resistance, and motor brake are assembled as a unit, which can easily be dismounted for inspection or repair.
In the 16-20-cwt. Kelland a full-floating type rear axle and a, cardan shaft with fully enclosed joints, replace the chain drive which was formerly employed. The motor is situated at the front end of the cardan shaft in the position occupied in the ordinary vehicle by the gearbox, and embodied in it is a helical spur reduction gear. The gearing in the rear axle is of the single-reduction, helical bevel type. It is claimed that this vehicle can cover between 45 and 60 miles with the battery fully charged, and this at a speed of between 13 and 15 m.p.h.
It is interesting to note that a new battery has been developed. It is known as the Philco. The plates of this are built with special grids, known as the Diamond, and the positive plates are enveloped by slotted retainers of perforated hard rubber.
Our British makers of electric vehicles have not been behind in developing the high-speed, small-load capacity electric vehicle, and it may he remembered that not lung ago we pulelished details of a short but very successful test which we carried out on one of the new vehicles built by Ransomes, Sims and lefferies, Ltd.