GAS v. PETROL.
Page 20
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The theory obtains that because a vehicle is heavy in consumption of petrol it must necessarily be heavy in consumption of gas, Particulars of an interesting road test in this connection, vouched us by the South-Eastern Garage, 8, Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill, London, S.E. 24, offer somewhat interesting refutation of the prevailing contention. This firm recently converted a 1915 model Ford van belonging. to a local firm of bakers, a Lyon-Spencer container being used, and this vehicle was selected for the test.
In connection with the run, the South Eastern Garage relate; "To show that we did not select the road and weather, we need only mention that, we drove the van from Herne Hill to the top of Westerham Hill, via Bromley and Keston, on Sunday last-20th January. It was raining at the time, and the roads were in a very heavy and rough state owing to the recent snow, which, as you may have read in the Press, has been exceptional on this route.
"We drove the van from Herne Hill to Catford on petrol. Then, turning on the gas, made it climb the series of hills that stretch from Bromley to Cudham. Turning homeward, we' .gave the gas the benefit by driving back on this fuel and switching back on to petrol when about three miles from home. Thus the gas was used uphill and downhill, and c46 the 240 cubic ft. that this container holds covered 18 miles on the one charge.. We took the opportunity of measuringthe petsal consumption on the same day, and found that this panned out at miles per gallon, "Therefore, calculating petrol at 3s. 6d. per gallon, and gas at 3s. 7d. per 1000 cubic ft., petrol is 5 times as costly. We admit that the petrol consumption on this Ford is rather high, but as the car usually stops about every half-mile during its daily use, it is doubtful, even if the carburetter were tuned up, whether this mileage per gallon could be much improved. Here again gas scores, because it is so easy to turn off the supply at each stop.
"We think you will agree that 18 miles upon one charge is quite satisfactory. We are quite pleased wits the results, especially as the van pulls almost as well on gas as with spirit.
We are daily learning tip s in connection with gas installation work, and we think that the following three 'points are good when fitting containers, and' assist in -a bigger mileage per charge. "The small tap on dash should be fitted just near the driver's hand, because, • as the engine gets warmer, less gas may be used. In the case of a Ford, it is
advisable to fit a in, pipe from container, and reduce this to 3. in. pipe immediately where it enters the carburetter, as' this assists to increase the velocity. We do not recommend fitting pipe to induction manifold. The bag should be so fastened in the tray that, if it assumed an exactly,square shape, it would be free from the roof of the van .by abbot 4 inches. This allows the bottom of the container to 'swell down and to hold more, whereas if the bottom of the bag rests upon the van roof, the latter (usually domed) rises into the bottom of the container, thus robbing it of so much capacity."