1933-10-10 — Page 2

Page

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1933.

SPARKS

FROM THE PLUGS

OVERHAULING EI ECTRICAL MOTORING HINT CHINA-PARIS MOTOR ROAD

INSTALLATION

Worth-While Task Which Needs No

Special Skill

I know, writes "Owner-Driver," that most people are scared of touching even the fuse of the electric light. installation at home, although the replacement of that tiny piece of wire is surely the simplest job on earth, so that one does not wonder overmuch when

told that a car switchboard is a box of tricky tricks.

Perhaps that is true, but provid- ed one does not remove all the connections at once a good deal of liberty may be taken with the various terminals and the wires.

THE STORAGE BATTERY.

The prime source of electrical energy on an automobile is the dynamo, but for the moment we shall assume it to be the storage battery.

The term storage explains the function of the locked-up black -box generally so. inconveniently situated; it stores up what the

Use Of Self-Changing

Gears

IS PLANNED

Sven Hedin Engaged To Blaze Way For World's Longest Highway

A

Peiping.—It

I

DAIMLER-LANCHESTER "GARS

A New Type 20 h.p. Although the Daimler and Lan chester concerns continue to produc distinctly different cars with thes names, their merging is finding wider expression in matters of design. This was noted when the new models for 1934 were, shown to

redesigned to be a new model, Outwardly it is a Daimler, but it has the distinctive Lanchester engine. This is cradled in rubber mountings in a new way. The brake lever, lying almost parallel with the floor by the side of the driver, is of the pull-up- type.

The frame is particularly strongly braced, but the bracing is not of the cruciform kind. There are several other fresh features, but the car, of course, like all the Daimler- Lanchester gather

range, is provided with the faid flywheed and selfchanging gear- box. The standard saloon in £698.

ing of distributors and others Chief interest in, the range centres in

20-h.p. which is

30 completely

the 10-h.p. Lanchester to the sahip. Alterations to other models, from twelve-cylinder Daimler have been → designed to inerense the factor of quiet

Although the process of gear-chang- ing with the pre-selective gearbox- the so-called self-changing type-i 30 simple, sure, and silent, lengthy ex Remove the covers and clean perience with it suggests several hints possible to traverse the 12,000 miles produce by camel trail to Syria. will ba quite transported its silks and other rich away all dirt around the ter-

bayers of cars titted with this kind from Peiping to Paris. by automo #whente. they were trans-shipped minals. Tighten up. any slack of transmission. screws and check that the copper

In the first place, when an upward tor highway from Pelping to the est caravan route in

bile after the 'great 2,000-mile mo- by boat to Rome. This is the old- wire is making good contact with change is being made after the engine these. See also that these boxes has been thoroughly accelerited on a borders

of Soviet

the world. ists as the greatest living author-running, and smoothneas, whilst the are firm on their bases and that lower gear, it is advisable to pause for completed, according to Dr. Sven explorer travelled over this road in cal aspects of the countries of the saloons, and, particularly coupes, are Turkestan is Marco Polo, the renowned Italianity on the geography and physi-models have standard bodies, special the lids do not grip any of the pedal depressed... (This is the pedal scientist: who has been engaged across the

a second or so with the gear-changing Hedin, the Swedish explorer and the

13th century from Persia Orient. Dr. Hedin holds 41 gold tening of appearance. The price range wires when they are replaced,

now obtainable, with a resuting smar Pamirs into Chinese medals Again it should be said that the that displaces the clutch pedal of the by the Chinese government to blaze Türkestan and China.

from different scientific is as follows:-10-h.p. Lanchester, from give the engine time to decrease in prthodox transmission.) The pause the way for the new highway

bodies throughout the world for his £325 (this is the only four-cylinder ca Dr Hedin believes the new high-explorations and discoveries, has in the range): 18-b.p. Lanchester, £598; speed from its accelerated rate to that by far the longest motor road in for irrigation enterprises

This new route will constitute way will open up vast possibilities been decorated and honoured by Daimler 15, £450; Daimler 25, £1,193, at which it will turn round after the the world. It will be the first dirtrackless wastes

in the every important country in higher gear has been brought into use. ect link between Asia and Europe.

the Daimler Double Six, 40-h.p., £1,700; and deserts of world the car will not jerk forward when the and undoubtedly will profoundly

Banent is evident in the fact that

40 h.p., £1,800. Dur- gear pedal is eventually released, affect commerce and travel in all as is prone to do if the suggested the countries through which it will pause be not made. Avoidance of || Pass. jerk is desirable because it implies mission as a whole and increase of tyre needlessly heavy stresses on the trans- wear. It corresponds with the jurk that occurs if an ordinary clutch be engaged too quickly.

use of adhesive tape on all trayed or delicate-looking wires is advis

able.

Now turn to the switchboard on the car, and, if you can, work your way under the scuttle dash and

examine each connection,

DON'T THICKEN FUSES.

It is sometimes easy to pull out the board complete, but in most cars you must do your best by look- ing upwards. **

Examine the fuses, lighting, and dynamo. and see that a spare dynamo pumps into it, and gives length of fuse wire is there. In

it up as and when desired.

The driver controls its output. by means of switches or the starter button, which is simply another form of switch, even although it is pressed in rather than moved -across contacts.

There is not much that the owner-driver can do to the battery other than to keep it clean but- wardly, to restore the level of the liquid in it by pouring in distilled water in Glasgow ordinary tap

water is quite suitable) until the tops of the plates are covered by a quarter of an inch, and to see that the main wires from the positive and negative terminals are making good connection.

KEEP TERMINALS CLEAN. Leaving well alone is a good rule mast times, but not for a battery. Bear that mind and you will have Uttle cause for complaint. against the makers.

The acid in the accumulator has a tendency to creep up the ter minals, especially the positive one, and should be removed each time an inspection takes place.

Clean the acid crystals off first! of all with a petrol-soaked rag, then wipe the lead terminals clean and replace the connections. Now melt some petroleum jelly in a small tin and pour it over the ter

minals, working it well in with the fingers. Should the wires from the battery be fraying protect them with adhesive tape.

CLEANING THE LAMPS

Despite the exact fit of the damp glasses much dust creeps into the roflectors, and the beams of light are reduced as a result.

To gain entrance to the para- bolic reflectors remove the small screw generally to be found on the top of the lamp, and, gripping the edge of the lamp tightly, turn

|

case some readers do not know how

to replace a fuse wire I mention that all you do is to join the two coppers strips together with piece of fuse wire. That's all.

Writing of fuses reminds me within a short time it is also time however, that if a fuse blows twice that you examined the installa- tion: Above all things do not sit on the safety valve (that's what a fuse ls) by doubling the thick- ness of the fuse wire. That is a

quick way to the repair shop and a sure one to big bills.

HINTS ON THE DYNAMO.

Dr.

The Nanking government nas the initial expenses of Dr. Kedin's already appropriated $50,000 for survey, which months for its completion.

will require eight

head the survey expedition because Hedin was specially selected to of his vast knowledge of China, and Central Asia.

and develop trade between China Intended primarily to encourage

When a change down is being made no such pause is called for. But in this case "backward jerk is a 'thing to avuid; this is assured by holding the accelerator depressed slightly while the gear pedal is depressed and re. leased to effect the change. The Proper and Sinkiang, it is expected extent to which the accelerator should the new road will in time form a be held down depends upon how fast great trans-continental highway. the car is running on the higher gear and ultimately pave the way for

earlier the change (the faster the car before the change is commenced; the is running) the more the accelerator should be depressed.

GEAR-CHANGING PEDAL

If you look closely at the dynamo you will notice a metal cover to-gear change will not occur with a half. towards the rear end. This cove: locking bolt and siiding the two- "can be removed by unscrewing the

inch broad ring towards the rear end.

ing the winter months Dr. Hedin and his associates will examine the Lower Tarim area for the pur- pose of Anding possible Irrigation of regions which are now dried up but which were cultivated 2,000

central and western China,

years ago.

Associated with Dr. Hedin will three Chinese technicians. They be three Ewedish scientists and will travel in specially-equipped American motor trucks and will for 4.000 miles of travel.. take with them sufficient gasoline

Still photographs and motion pictures will be made by Dr. Hedin alone the route. The Swedish geo- grapher and explorer will also des- road system connecting China with cate of American newspapers and the establishment of a vast railcribe his experiences for a syndi- Soviet Russia and Europe.

Incorporated in the new high way will be the famous 2,000-year-

which, in the time of Christ China old imperial caravan route, over

aalected. No harm will be done if this point be overlooked, though it may be momentarily disconcerting if, when the pedal is released, the driver finds that he is then using, without intent a lower or a higher gear than before ha depressed the pedal. He may even continue on his way in third speed, for example, imagining that he is in top, and then wonder why the engine appears to be "racing"!

bring about a change into a higher or A point of importance is that to

A lower gear than has been pre- selected, the gearchanging pedal should be depressed as far as it will go before being released. There are two reasons for this. The first is that the depressed pedal; the second is that do pressing the pedal to the full brings into action the self-adjusting feature of the gear box, the means whereby any tendency of the friction bands to slip is automatically corrected. It is Examination will show the pre- to make sure that this feature has sence of three metal arms, at the been utilised that the makers recom- ends of which and resting on the mend occasional "pumping" with the Finally, let it be suggested that, as copper commutator are the carbon pedal while the car and engine are at this type of gearbox enables such brushes which pick up the elec- rest;" pumping implies depressing rapid-such instantaneous changes of tricity generated by the dyname.end releasing the pedal fully a few gear to be made, up or down, more use See that these brushes are mak-times with each gear selected in turn. should be made of it than of the Ing good contact with the copper but lacking a finid flywheel, the gear- the higher average speeds, within ang On cars having this type of gearbox, orthodox gear-box. In other words, of the commutator is also bright tion as a clutch pedal in circumstances by changing early on steep hills and commutator and that the copper changing pedal must be used to func-given maximum, that are to be gained If it is not, then clean it with a calling for the use of the latter with by changing down and up again after petrol rag and then wipe it still an ordinary gearboxeg, for starting slacks for traffe and corners, even cleaner with a dry and clean one. and stopping ordinarily, and when an though there is no necessity to change; emergency stop with heavy braking should be viewed as a benefit of which is necessary.

full advantage may be taken without drawback. In this way the rapid ac- celeration and the average speeds of a more powerful and faster car are to be

SPECIAL GREASE NEEDED.

It should be borne in mind, there There are two ball races in a fore, that fully depressing the pedal dynamo-one at either end-and followed by its release will bring into these are packed with suitable use any gear that has been prehad. grease before the instrument leaves the factory. Until the car has run amany thousands of miles there is no need to repack them with grease, but should that be desirable see that proper grease is used. It should have a high melting-point.

I hope you will at least attempt to 'do all "these things. They are,

Siam's Motorists Are Reckless

the front piece to the left until all extremely simple, and provid Correction One Of The Objects Of

the jaws work themselves clear of the inner projections. The face of the lamp will then come clear away.

Remove the dust by blowing Vigorously into the lamp and then wipe the plating clean with a very soft cloth. Under no circum- stances should plate, or metal polish be used. If you realised how, thin the plating is you would not need that advice.

CHECKING CONNECTIONS.

Having got this, length, you may be curious enough to take one step farther and inspect the connections behind the reflector:

cd you do not, as I have said, re- move all the wires at once and then And that you do not know where they all go, you need not fear anything serious happening.

While on the subject of lamps, may appeal to manufacturers-to- provide us with something just little better than what we are now having. Focusing I last week: this week I ask for mentioned better wiring, more solid insula tion, thicker casings, and a cleaner switchboard:

A David Among Goliaths.

Royal A.A.

Bangkok, Sept. 20. In one way the existing police re- the larger towns in the provinces, are

Motorists in Bangkok, and, later, in quirements are more satisfactory than to have the benefits attaching to a driving license has to appear in per at home. Here every applicant for a

the King, the Royal Automobile Asso to a police officer to drive through united body. Under the patronage of son, and demonstrate his or her fitness ciation of Bism has been formed, and Bangkok's by no means easy streets, much good is hoped from this latexit The officer sils with the applicant and addition to Bangkok societies. E announces the route as they travel. In addition to the cars in Bangkok Points are awarded for bandling of the there is a considerable number of car, and on skill and discretion depend motor boats, both owned for pleasure whether or

not a driver's license is and cruising and on regularly operated issued. ferry bout services. It is hoped to find Good Deal of Reckless Driving Remove the screws on the Hp

room for the motor boat people as well This notwithstanding, there is of the metal interior and draw the

in the new association. ( For good deal of reckless driving in Bang reflector out complete with wires.

Among the objects of the society kok and if the new Association is able. Check that these. are holding

will be the maintenance of traffic to insist on a higher standard of cour strongly. Remove defective."wires, The only un-supercharged car

scouts, legal service and an Association tegy and ability among not only pro- strip off a half-inch of the insulat- under 1,000 cc capacity to commembers, whose cars will receive per- existence will be justified. So crude garage charging special rates for fessional but amateur drivers, then its ing covering, and replace.

plete the Le Mans Grand Prix ferential attention at more reasonable indeed is the general knowledge seem Unless you know how to focus course this year was a little Singer fe, they promise, than have yet been angly possessed by many motorists and lamps do not interfere with the Nine sports car.

charged, position of the bayonet holder.

Eventually also it is hoped that it distribution a set of rules of the road other users of the road, that the local This race, which is over a tortu.

Club has evolved for general The bayonet holder that cylinous road circuit of 84 miles, is one may be possible to associate with simi drical part carrying the electric of the most difficult in the world, lar bodies in other countries, go that in three languages quite so

and the entries are generally spe travelling members of the Siam Society Motorista are In "replacing the small screws cially tuned up and supercharged may enjoy the privileges and assist much in evidence perhaps as cars in

great care should be taken not to cross the threads on their stemis.

DISTRIBUTION BOXES.

anco available elsewhere. Many moour crowded streets, but if the out The Singer driven by Messrs. torists bere even now retain their board motor owner and the speed A. Langley and F. S. Barnes, eo-

R.A.C and A.A. membership from merchant are to observe the amenities vered 1,009 kilometres in twenty. Whether the new Association will capital, the new Association will re of the river and canal system of the four hours, averaging 49.4 miles tackle the thoray problem of misurance cerve the bonisons of that fairly large On most popular cars distribu- per hour. By completing the has not been decided. At present in class who live by the water's edge, or tion boxes for the wiring are to course, the car is thus able to ensurance is entirely optional, and there actually live afest day in and day out. be found under the bonnet. They ter for the Rudge Whitworth cup, is no reason other than caution which The Association will commence ita are usually protected by a metal for the best handicap performance dictates to owners the desirability of career with the active goodwill of cover held in place by two spring in future races. This year it was being covered against third party what is still the largest cria of the clips.

only eligible for the scratch prize. risks.

population-those who do not motor

magazines, and will later write a book about the area through which { the new highway passes.

this important expedition may be How well Dr. "Hedin is fitted for

gained from the fact that he has had 48 years' experience in explo- ration and scientific work in China and Tibet. He is ranked by scient-

(Continued on next "column)

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