ANSWERS TO QUERIES.
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Our readers will be informed by the Editor on any points connected with lite construction or use of commercial motors. Where a direct reply is desired, a stamped addressed envelope should be enclosed : if a request for privacy is not specially made, any query and answer may be _published.
The Paterson Economizer.
[43431 (Sowerby Bridge). — The oil-and-fuel economizer invented by Mr. A. Donald Paterson is not yet on the market. it is quite possible that the authorities will acquire it before it can be made available for the public.
Protecting the Flexible Gas Container. .
[4344] (Bournemouth).—It should not be difficult for you to get manufactured locally a cane or basketwork cover which would receive all the rubbing of tree branches and so save your gas bag. There is no patent or registered design for such a device, as it is an obvious means of protecting the bag. Messrs. Green Taxis (address, Mr. S. W. Upjohn. 27a, Upper Marylebone Street,. London, W.), are making something of the kind.
No Gas Supply. Can We Erect a Producing Plank?
[4345] (Bantry).—It would be impossible to tell you, in present circumstancm, the cost of erecting a gasmaking plant, and, moreover, it is extremely doubtful whether you would get permission to put down such a plant, or be able to get the necessary material or labour. Again, the question as to whether it would be a paying proposition or not would entirely depend on local demand. Could you not get into communication with the nearest gas Company with a view to having a main laid on to your premises ?
Trailers for Gas Bags.
[4346] (London).—There are no police regulations with regard to carrying gas bags on light trailers, except, of course, that the police can refuse to licence a vehicle plying for hire, if it can in any way become a nuisance but you must see that vou comply with the Use and Construction Order a 1904, Article 2 of Clause 1 specifying that the motorcar shall be capable of being so Worked that it may travel either forwards or backwards. Your trailer, therefore, must be
constructed in such a manner that it shall not prevent the motor vehicle from being able to be reversed. A two-wheel trailer connected at a central point of the rear cross-member of the frame would, on an attempt being made to.reverse the motor vehicle, slue to one side or the other and so prevent the attempt. To the best of our knowledge, there is only one trail-r which actually complies with the law, that is, the AutoTrailer made by Auto-Trailers, Ltd., 1, Queen Victoria Street, London, EC.
Wants Metal Cylinders for Compressed Gas.
1'4347] (Garage).—The only metal Cylinder for coalgas so far on the market is the Safe Cylinder, obtainabla Irona the Murphy Submarine Pipe Line and Flexible Tube Co.,. Ltd., St. Laurence Gate, Drogheda, Ireland. Experiments are being made in London with cylindsrs of lght .weight externally wound with steel piano wire; these will take gas up to 101)0 lb. pressureiricideritailk; they will be tested to 4001) lb. pressure, so you will See that there is ample
margin for safety.
Conveiting a Touring-car to Coal-gas.
L43481 (Leeds).—The special difficulties in connection with converting your vehicle from the use of petrol to the use of petrol and coal-gas would seem to suggest that-you should, before adoptingthe gas-bag, make a special effort to secure metal reservoirs of some kind or another. Could you not get into touch with one of the railway companieS and endeavour to obtain a reservoir taken from a railway coach?
There should be a number of these-reservoirs available at railway stores as a consequence of the conversion of railway running stock from the use of coalgas for lighting purposes to electric light. These reservoirs hold the gas at about 200 lb. pressure, and they are about 5 ft. long by about 15 ins, in diameter. Two of these reservoirs carried at or under the footboards of the car should give you the mileage which you require.