Page:Motoring Magazine and Motor Life December 1913.djvu/14

12 MOTORING MAGAZINE AND MOTOR LIFE December, 1913.

The Pilot horn is mechanically operated, dispensing with batteries, wires, etc., and there is no other expense involved than its first cost. It is operated by a small, conveniently located hand-wheel, a slight turn of which causes a low and pleasing tone. The sound may be increased to a loud blast by increasing the speed of rotation, and the maker

states that this construction permits a wide range of sound as desired. It is furnished with brackets for attaching to either the right or left hand side of the car, and is also made with a straight projector and a fore door bracket. The finishes are all black, black and brass, black and nickel. A design for the steering column is constructed, a special bracket being made.

In charging storage batteries, and in wiring some circuits, it is essential that polarity be observed, and this is not always easily determined, as the identification marks may be obliterated. The Manhattan polarity indicator which, when connected in the circuit, will instantly detect the negative and positive

poles. It is very compact, being 3.5 by .75 inch, and a nickel plated shell encloses and protects the glass tube from injury when carried in the pocket or in the tool box. It is made for battery service, also for service with current ranging from 50 to 600 volts.

A new valve lifter, which is a U-shaped member with integral tapered points, has just been put on the market. It may be utilized in the conventional manner or to compress the springs by

placing the points between the coils. It is operated by a wing-headed screw bolt having sufficient leverage to compress the spring with a minimum of effort, and one of the features of the device is that both hands may be used in displacing the locking position. The maker states that it will fit all types of motors. It is moderately priced.

The Perfect Anti-Rattle, which is designed to be placed between the door and jamb of a motor car body and to eliminate existing rattles due to warping or faulty fitting of the door, is the latest. The device comprises a barrel member in which is a spiral spring. The design

also includes a bumper or plunger. The barrel is constructed of brass, and fits tightly into the hole bored in the door jamb. When the door is closed the spring pushes the bumper against the door, holding it firmly and eliminating, it is said, all rattling.

The usual method of locating a missing cylinder is to short circuit the second wire at the spark plug with magneto ignition or to hold down a vibrator with the coil and battery system. When using a screw driver for testing, one is likely to receive a shock unless care be exercised. The Dalitz spark plug tester and terminal is a simple device for attachment to

the plug. It comprises a flat strip of metal, having at one end a terminal for the reception of the secondary wire, and an opening at the other in which is inserted a movable arm of metal. This arm is equipped with a non-conducting handle, preventing any possibility of shocks when using the device. To cut out the ignition to a cylinder, the movable arm is slid downward until its end comes in contact with the base or shell of the plug. This effectually grounds or short circuits the current, preventing it from reaching the air gap. The device may be utilized for a number of other purposes, including that of testing the strength of the secondary current. This is performed by moving the arm in proximity to the base of the plug and noting the intensity of the spark. The tester may also be employed to note the compression of each cylinder when in operation, by the strength of the explosion. Another use for the device is locking the ignition. This is obtained by grounding each arm when the car is left unattended.

Power tire pumps on the motor car are a valuable addition to the equipment, saving as they do the work of pumping by hand. A design for model T Ford

cars, which is driven from the extension of the crankshaft of the motor, and is attached by drilling a single hole, has just