Abstract
The paper sets out to consider the present-day practice in British automotive electrical equipment, comparing this frequently with British practice prior to 1939 or current American practice wherever appropriate.
It commences by considering the generating and energy-storage part of the system, dealing briefly with the provision of A.C. or D.C. equipment and the relative merits of 12-volt and 6-volt equipment.
It then goes on to consider the operating and power-consuming parts of the system in fairly considerable detail, making particular note of the reduction in size and weight of generators which has been made possible in recent years by the use of new insulating enamels and of light alloys where practicable. The use of higher speeds is generally possible only where maximum car speeds are not very high, due to limitations imposed by centrifugal forces on armatures and the need to provide the rated output at a fairly constant road speed.
Voltage regulators are dealt with in some detail with a general description of the British compensated voltage-control system and the transatlantic current-voltage type using two separate regulating circuits in series.
With regard to batteries, the main development has been an improved paste which was developed during the 1939–45 war for dealing with low temperatures and which is now in general production.
The problems of noise, power, and premature pinion ejection concerning starter-motors are discussed, with a comparison of the performance of 6- and 12-volt machines and of the various types of pinion-engaging mechanisms of the positive-mesh and inertia-meshing types, together with a reference to the comparatively large amount of power required to start a small engine.
Developments in ignition equipment have not been great in recent years, but the point is made that an improved system will need to be developed for the higher compression ratios which are impending.
The paper deals briefly with windscreen wipers, heaters, demisters, horns, direction indicators of the semaphore and flashing signal type, instruments, actuating motors, relays and protective devices, and also touches briefly on the subject of radio suppression for car radio and television.
The paper concludes with a discussion on head lighting and dazzle.
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