ELECTRIC SYSTEM

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 153, 14 June 1932, Page 10

ELECTRIC SYSTEM

IMPORTANCE OF OVERHAUL. Usually the battery is blamed for lack of starting power, but it is as well, before spending money on a renewal or overhaul, to be sure that the trouble does not lie somewhere else. Start with a thorough cleaning of the battery cable terminals, or, if they are badly corroded, fit a new pair, as they are very cheap. Heat the old terminal in a gas or blowlamp flame till the solder melts and it can be pulled off the wire. Clean away the dirt and corrosion from the wire, cutting away any part that has been badly attacked by acid. Then push the wire into the new terminal, and •squeeze the terminal tightly round it. The new terminal is then well heated, a non-corrosive flux liberally run into the w’ires, and then this is followed by plenty of solder. The terminal post of the battery should be scraped, and both it and the cable terminal well coated with vaseline before fitting up. At the same time go over the terminals of the starter switch and motor, tightening them well, and then disconnect the earth cable from the frame. Polish the earth cable terminal and the part of the frame to w’hich it is eonne’cteil with coarse emery cloth, and give them a smear of vaseline before connecting again. This frame connection is as important as any other, but very rarely gets any consideration, even from service men. THE COMMUTATOR. Now inspect the commutator and brushes of the starting motor. If the brushes arc worn very- short, or they are stuck in the holders with dirt, the springs arc weak, or the commutator oily or damaged, the best of batteries will not give good starting power. If it is found that a new battery is necessary it should be remembered that a cheap battery cannot be expected to last as long as a more expensive one. Usually it is safest to buy sonic wellknown make, even if it costs a little more. When fitting the battery in the case, clamp or pack it in such a way that it cannot possibly shake about. It pays to buy a battery of adequate size, both in results and length of life. The whole of the wiring should then be gone over, tightening all terminals at such places as the ammeter and switch. Also inspect the wires at points where they are likely to chnfc, and reinforce the insulation with friction tape if necessary. Finally, there are the lamps to be considered. Remove the bulbs nnd clean the contact points with emery if they are dirty, and scrane the noin’s on the lamps. If the bulbs are blackened, fit new ones. Reflectors should he treated very earefullv, never being touched with 'the fiueors. and dusted very lightly. If they need polishing. jeweller’s rouge on cotton wool or new chamois should be used. A dull light from new bulbs with a good battery, indicates a poor ’’ontnet somewhere. nnd occasionnllv this exists between the lamp and its mounting r.n the frame. CORRECT FOCUSING. Coned focusing and setting of is most important. The lamps short.l face straight ahead, as shown bv pin” ing a straight edge across the front-. They should also point slightlv down wnrds. Focusing should be dor- o- ■> white wall tibmit f.O feet distant, e: h

lamp being covered in turn, the aim being to get an adequate area of illumination free from dark spots. Ifia final test of illuminating power it mad* on' a stretch of light-coloured road. When the engine is running at normal road speed, the ammeter should show’ a steady flow of current sufficient to balance the power taken by the lamps and screen wiper, or to give a slight excess if no wiper it used. E» cept for cleaning the commutator, woi’k on the dynamo or starting motor is best left to an expert. Both units should be lubricated in exact accordance with the maker's instructions.