“SUN” SERVICE STATION

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 812, 5 November 1929, Page 6

“SUN” SERVICE STATION

fHHE Motordom section or rile Sun includes in its service to readers a Queries and Answers Department, the object ot which is to eivo accurate information regarding mechanical and touring subjects What ever 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. " 1 All communications must bo accompanied by the inquirer’s name and address (not for publication), and sent to TUB SUN "Service Statin™ Motordom," TUB SUN, Auckland. Answers will appear weekly in this

8.A.N.—1 have a Clyno 1926 model. I have to get the battery charged, tfj generator is not charging, the ammeter shows a discharge when lights are o.n. Could you tell me what is the matter? There are several probable reasons. Some are: Commutator may be dirty; brushes worn; third brush, which governs charging rate, may need regulation; short circuit between generator and ammeter; loose or dirty connections; short circuit m generator coil. If this model has a cut-out, the contacts may want cleaning. Try cleaning the commutator first, with fine sandpaper and a cloth. If that does not effect a change, and you are not familiar with the functions of a generator, take it to a reliable motor electrician. “Reader.”—Would you kindly enlighten me through your motor columns on the following points: (a) How are the six speeds worked with a threespeed gear box on an International speed lorry; (b) why are four coils needed in a Ford ignition, when only one is required on the other type's of cars ? (a) It h'as a supplementary tvvospeed gear-box within the differential housing. A separate hand control operates a sliding? gear which can be meshed to divert the transmission from direct drive through countershaft gears and so back again on to the direct drive line. This allows another reduction in gear ratio on all three gears, and provides six speed ratios. Actually, there are two ranges of gearing, (b) In the Model T system of ignition, the distribution of current is made on the low tension side and through the medium of a roller commutator which revolves at half-engine speed and during its complete revolution, makes contact with four terminals which are in direct communication with their respective coils. The current is transformed by the coils into high tension current and goes direct to its corresponding spark plug. To make this system operate with a single coil it would be necessary to have, in conjunction with the commutator, a high tension distributor, and, in that case, one coil would supply the high tension current to the distributor which, in turn, would divert it to each

. of the cylinders in turn. This, how- ■ ever, would not give such reliable ■ ignition as it would with the four . coils, because the coils fitted are of the trembler blade type and there would be a possibility of the trembler blades tending to synchronise with the operation of the distributor and cause a spark to occur just a little early or late or in some cases it might even miss altogether. It must be remembered that when the Model T was designed, some 20 years ago, ignition had not reached the point of perfection which it has today through th# medium of the single coil and distributor system and in order to obviate any possible troubles, the commutator and four-coil system was instituted. It had the further advantage that if one coil broke down, the remaining three coils operating 1 their respective cylinders, was sufficient to enable the driver to get home. J.T.C.—I would appreciate advice respecting adjustments to be made on dyna-motor of a 1925 Morris Cowley to enable an increase of current into the battery to be made. Am only doing a small mileage, and an increase in the reserve of current is desirable for the use of the self-starter. This model does not appear to be fitted with adjustment screws as in the case of later cars. * * « At the commutator end of the lg-s model dynamotor you will notice three screws close to the ball-race cover Loosen each of these screws about one turn only, and the control brush should then be moved in an anti-clockwise direction to raise the dynamotor output- J he maximum charge rate should be S amps. rare

and car chassis combined imported in the first three quarters of each year:

COMMERCIAL SECTION Commercial vehicles imported this year to date total just four times the number for the corresponding period of 1928. America easily leads in the commercial motor market, and for the reasons applying also to cars Canada has multiplied 1928 figures many times. There was a substantial rise in the demand for British trucks and bus chassis, but Continental makes are negligible. Following are details of the trucks and commercial chassis imported during the nine months of the past three years:—■

PROTECTING THE POLICE USE OF WHITE OVERCOATS Increasing accidents and fatalities to traffic policemen in American cities and towns have given impetus to a widespread movement for better safeguarding these public servants Statistics reveal that traffic officers face their greatest danger of Injury while occupying stations on stormy evenings, and it is to better protect them during these periods that Initial efforts are being largely directed Much of the danger on stormy nights may be eliminated by making the officers more easily visible to motorists of T tbt rUy ( - ° f mlsha P 8 to members of the police force are registered on ng n ?n mS A ° Wing t 0 mot orists failing to see the policeman on account of his black raincoat and hat blendinconfusingly with the shifting black and glaring background. Safety ct perts have strongly recommended the use of white or other > conditions and win pro^idf ! needed protection for police officers

United States Canada Great Britain Belgium .. Italy 1929. 7,070 8,401 2,723 15 * 8 192S. 6.320 2,055 1,643 9 2 1927. 3,830 2,008 1,452 10 226 Germany .. .. 1 *5 “o Totals .. .. 18,221 10,118 7,563

United States. Canada Great Britain . Belgium France .. ., . . 1929. 2,531 1,448 399 6 1928. 724 102 239 7 20 1927. 721 664 202 6 5 Germany .... — 3 Totals . . .. 4,384 1,096 1,599