“SUN” SERVICE STATION

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 692, 18 June 1929, Page 6

“SUN” SERVICE STATION

rpHB "Motordom" section or The 8u n includes in Its service to readers a Queries and Answers Department, the object or which is to give accurate information regarding mechanical and touring subjects. Whatever the particular puzzle may be in either diagnosing irritating troubles or motoring Information of any kind, "Headlight’* will endeavour to help, or refer the point to men who are recognised automobile experts in their respective lines. All communications must be accompanied by the Inquirer’s name and address (not for publication), and'sent to THE SUN “Service Station, Motordom/* THE SUN. Auckland. Answers wiU appear weekly In this column.

R.M.F. —I own a Cleveland motorbike. Could you tell me where. I am able to obtain and transfer for the name to put on the tank? So far as I know this transfer is not available anywhere in New Zealand. “A.” —Could you let me know the horsepower of the “Essex Challenger.” The R.A.C. rating is 15.3 h.p., developing 55 brake horsepower. “Buick.” — l have a Buick, the rear wheels of which have recently developed a sort of bucking when climbing hills, particularly in second gear. I would be very pleased if you could give me any information through The Sun Service Station as to the cause of this defect. The information you supplied is rather meagre, and diagnosis of the complaint is difficult, but the usual cause of trouble of this kind is badlyworn shackles and shackle pins. ITow are the roads in your district? If the surface is growing rough and you are inflating your back tyres overmuch with an unloaded car, you will get the wheel spin you describe, but it is not the fault of the car. I found this out recently on a country tour. “»3ttd y.“ —The “Hxide” battery in my Chevrolet car is two and a-half years old. The “Remy” generator charges at 10 amps when car is running up to 33 miles an hour, and drops to about 8 amps charge if car speed exceeds 35 miles an hour. The car is seldom used at night, and self-starter is not used excessively. The battery gives a good light, and even on the

coldest morning will run the selfstarter. Periodical tests show the specific gravity of the batterv gradually declining from 1,280 to 1,210. Nothing but distilled water has been put into battery; plates have never been uncovered, and appear to be well clear of one another, and only slightly discoloured. The question is, would it be advisable to add sulphuric acid to the battery and, if so, at what strength and in what manner? I should appreciate an answer to the foregoing question.

The drop in the specific gravity of the acid in this battery is quite normal, and should not be regarded with any alarm. Over a period of two and a-half years, where a battery receives more charge than discharge, as apparently this one has, there would be a tendency for a small quantity of acid to be carried away with the gas bubbles formed when the battery is charging, and as water only has been added, this acid has never been replaced. Moreover, by this time there is certain to be a considerable deposit of sediment in the bottom of the cell, and this will also be carrying a quantity of acid. Were the sediment to be stirred up thoroughly, no doubt the gravity would rise a few points, but this is not to be recommended. As for adding acid, this would be fatal, as the plates are not in a condition to stand it, and the battery would be useless almost immediately. As it appears that the battery is giving satisfactory service at present, it would be advisable to continue using it as it is, as it will probably give a few more months’ service before a renewal is necessary.