WHEN THE LIGHTS FAIL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 102, 11 April 1933, Page 4

WHEN THE LIGHTS FAIL

PRECAUTIONS AND REMEDIES. Lighting systems vary considerably, and, therefore, the hints given below may not meet all cases It will, however, be found that they are applicable to nearly every instance of lighting failure. Should one light fail while the others are functioning properly; tap the side of the lamp lightly with the hand and shake the cable leading to it, as the fault may be due to an imperfect contact which can sometimes be cured by a light jar. If the tap does not effiect a cure, remove the bulb and examine it. Should the filament be broken, replace the bulb. When in doubt clean the solder contact at the base of the bulb, and try the bulb in a holder that is known to be working properly. Should it light, then the fault obviously lies in the holder or its wiring. With the finger-tip try working tho spring contact in the bulb holder up and down. It may have become stuck in its guide. Trace the wiring from the lamp for a loose or broken connection. Examine the lamp mounting for, in the case of a car fitted with the single wire system, a loose or imperfect mounting may make a faulty elec, trical connection. FOR A BLOWN FUSE. If all or a number of lights fail suddenly together; See if a fuse has blown, as this is the most probable cause of the trouble. Replace the damaged fuse and, at the earliest opportunity, buy a new one aud carry it as a spare. Before replacing the damaged fuse, however, critically inspect tho units that have failed for short circuits or other faults, as a blown fuse is evidence of something wrong. If a fuse blows repeatedly and the fault cannot be traced, have the electrical equipment examined by an electrical service station. Inspect the dynamo and battery connections going over them with u -piinner do not overlonl; the buttcrv cif.tli eeim ’-.ion lu Hi-

frame. Take care not to causo a “short” with the spanner. Examine the battery for internal short circuits or broken connections. If the lights are all dull the most probable cause is an exhausted battery. To test rapidly: Try the horn and starter. Should the former be feeble, and the latter fail to turn tho engine over briskly, the battery is certainly run down Should the ammeter fail to respond to the variations in the engine’s speed and remain at zero, see if the switch is on “full” charge. Where the dynamo is belt driven failure to charge or wild oscillations of the needle are evidence of belt slip, lighten the belt, but if it is worn and bottoms on the pulleys fit a new one. Some cars are fitted” with a dynamo field, fuse. This will be found in a case built on to the dynamo itself. Failure to charge may fie due to this fuse being blown. Replace it if necessary, but before doing so examine the wiring for a broken or loose connection in the circuit to the dynamo or bat; tery. Examine the dynamo commutator and, if it is dirty, clean it by rotating the dynamo while a piece of silk, damped with petrol, is held against the commutator.