AN ELECTRICAL TEST BOARD

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 284, 21 February 1928, Page 7

AN ELECTRICAL TEST BOARD

LOCAL OUTFIT TO FIND FAULTS Always in the background, and far removed from the spectacular gleam of new cars, the automobile repair shop is the Cinderella of the motor industry. Forgotten by the public, but maintaining a high degree of technical ability, the repair shop follows closely on the heels of the many mechanical improvements that yearly are embodied in modern motor-cars.

The various uses of electricity in car operation demand extensive electrical repair shops, organised to test and repair every defect likely to appear. A particularly up-to-date electrical repair shop was shown to “Headlight” last week. This was the business of Messrs. Graham and Lodder, Hobson Street, who have among their equipment a complicated testing board, upon which any fault of any piece of electrical machinery can be discovered. This seems rather a large boast, but a glance at the testing-board with its seeming confusion of switches, plugs and dials, shows its comprehensive nature.

On this board the following tests can be made: Generators tested to show charge rate, both with headlights on and oft; generator and magneto armature windings tested; magneto commutator shafts tested for truth; condensers and coils tested for leakage; self-starters tested; magnetos tested under varying compressions. The board is also equipped with what is known as a rotary synchroniser, a device which tests the accuracy of magneto camshafts by measuring the distribution of sparks upon a graded quadrant.

Another device is a tachometer, which measures the number cf revolutions a minute of any spindle.

The valuable part about all these tests is that they are made under exactly the same conditions as pertain on the car itself.

Another interesting device was a “magnetiser” (wich a half-ton pull), which can magnetise a magneto, or in fact -any piece of steel, in a flash. Those with a mechanical turn of mind, or with lathe experience, would find very interesting a universal joint on the drive of a lathe chuck—no care - ful measurements to find the exact centre, padded out with pieces of shim but just tighten the chuck up and start the motor. The universal looks after the accuracy of it. The idea is so simple that it is a wonder it is not always used.

DABBLING WITH DANGER Following a recent “safety first” drive in an American State, during which 70 per cent, of cars inspected were found to have faulty brakes and steering, the State authorities are preparing an Act making periodic brake inspections compulsory. EUROPEAN CARS IN U.S.A. Even though the United States manufactures nearly 90 per cent, of the total production of motor-vehicles in the world wealthy Americans prefer something different.

as t October, 72 expensive British and Continental cars, valued at £22,790, were imported to gratify those tastes.