THE BATTERY

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12411, 3 April 1926, Page 18

THE BATTERY

, HOW IT FUNCTIONS SENSITIVE APPARATUS. Many motorists think that the battery is nothing more than a receptacle into which current is pumped to be released for lighting and starting. Of course, such an idea is* incorrect, for the battery is a , very sensitive piece of chemical apparatus. True enough, it works very often when abused and neglected, still a little care will’ Tfe'pay the motorist for his trouble, in increased efficiency of the electrical equipment. A battery essentially consists of two quantities of lead sulphate in dilute sulphuric acid, through which electrical energy from a dynamo may be passed in order to convert the lead sulphate on the one side (positive) to lead dioxide on the, other side (negative) to an allotropic form of pure lead known as 'spongy lead. These two substances, which constitute the “active material,” in conjunction with the electrolyte of sulphuric acid, possess the property of generating an electric current as a result of tbe chemical action which takes place when the two opposite poles (positive and negative) are connected, -usually to some'apparatus in which the electrical energy released can be made to do mechanical work.

The battery plates should always he kept covered with distilled water, and, under no circumstances, must this water be allowed to come in contact with a. metallic substance. Some mp- 1 torists use a metal funnel to pour the water into the battery—this is wrong; and will injure the battery in time. A little vaseline should be kept smeaTed on the two terminals to-prevent corrosion from the fumes. Never test the battery by short circuiting the terminals—battery testers are cheap enough; anil will give an accurate enough reading of the charge for all the motorist requires. EXAMINE PEDALS LOOK FOR LOOSENESS. On vehicles that have seen some eervioe there is a danger that may aria? when using iho foot brake. The pedal of tho latter is secured to the brake shaft by a pin. If this pin becomes at all loose the pedal when used will have a decided shearing effect on it, and will gradually cut through it. The danger is, of course, that the final shearing ot the pin will probably take place when there is a great strain on the pedal, such as sudden braking in an emergency, and disaster may ensue. It is therefore advisable when looking over the chassis to try the brake nedal and, indeed, all the pedals for looseness, and rectify them at once. COLOUR SCHEMES BODY PAINTING. The tendency to-day in body painting is' for striking colour schemes. Manufacturers at a loss to present, new features each .year, are turning to. tho artist for assistance' The colours for the most part are in vivid contrasts —one famous body builder has taken as a motif the semiprecio’t- gems—garnet, topaz, and aquamarine. While others hare turned to the tropical bird for their inspiration. The golden-lieadod trogon, and the green tnnngar. provided the colour scheme for two well-known makes of cars. Tlio idea is oertninly original, and should provide ah agreeable change from some of tho' artistic monstrosities that one occasionally sees in the streets.