connect up the terminal to the battery and then with the engine at a standstill close the switches to the lighting circuit one at a time and watch the amperemeter closely as each switch makes contact. If the pointer does not move far from zero it shows that the current consumption is normal; if, however, the pointer swings to the extreme of the discharge scale it is evident that a short circuit exists somewhere in the circuit just brought into action. All the circuits can be tried in this manner one at a time. If the amperemeter indicates only a normal amount of current consumption for the various lighting circuits it is apparent that no further search is necessary. If, however, the needle indicates a short circuit on one or more of the switch positions, examine the wires carefully for the circuits at fault, and if the trouble does not exist there it may be located in the lamp socket, the connector or the bulb itself. In case one or more lamps fail to burn the trouble is due to either a broken wire or a defective connection at the switch, connectors or lamp sockets or a bulb or fuse is burnt out.

The following instructions relative to the care of the lamps and storage battery of the Auto-Lite system are taken from an instruction book prepared by this company and apply to similar components of all systems. Complete directions for the care and charging of storage batteries are given in the preceding chapter, but at the same time a review of the important points to keep in mind in connection with the maintenance of the batteries used in lighting and starting systems will prove of value to the motorist or repairman who does not desire to go thoroughly into the subject of storage battery charging or maintenance.

To clean head and side lamp reflectors, remove from lamp body and carefully blow out any dust which may have collected on the reflecting surfaces. Then dip a small piece of absorbent cotton in alcohol and lightly wipe over the surface-always from the back to the front. To focus the lamps, open the swinging front of the lamp and direct the light upon some smooth vertical surface at a distance of about ten feet. Loosen the adjusting screw on the slide at the rear of the reflector, and move the bulb and socket out and in until all rings disappear in the illuminated area. Then tighten down the adjusting screw and close the lamp. Any further adjust

ment of the lamp must be made by bending the arms of the lamp bracket with a heavy wrench until the light from each lamp strikes the road at the point desired.

Do not connect additional apparatus, such as electrical horns, cigar lighters, etc., to the system without taking the matter up with the factory. The surplus capacity of the system is large, but there is a limit to the amount of current which the generator can produce. Use the same judgment and reason in the operation of the electric lights on a car as you do those in your home or garage. When a car is running it is not necessary to burn all the lights, the two heads and the tail are all that are required or that are of any service. When the car is standing at night, use the side and tail lights only. When push type connectors are used, if halves of connectors are loose when pushed together, the contact will be poor. Spread the connector posts slightly so that they will slide in their sockets snugly. If Ediswan type are used, and plunger springs in connector do not operate, replace the connector with a perfect one.

The storage battery is made up of several hard rubber cells or containers for the active plates and liquid electrolyte. The whole is surrounded by a wood casing for mechanical protection and ease in handling. Each individual cell is provided with a screw cap for inspection and the addition of electrolyte or distilled water when necessary. (See Fig. 301 and Fig. 305, B). The electrolyte must at all times cover the tops of the plates at least one-quarter inch. Insufficient electrolyte will result in warped or buckled plates, and an accumulation of sediment at the bottom of the cells. The battery will be ruined in a short time if the tops of the plates are not kept covered. Each cell must be inspected at least once every week in summer and once every two weeks in winter. All screw caps must be removed and distilled water added to each cell to make up for the natural evaporation. If distilled water cannot be had use clean rain water which has not come in contact with metal or cement.

Never add acid to the cells of the battery. If part or all of the electrolyte has been lost through accidental spilling or leakage get full instructions and advice from the maker. An hydrometer, arranged with a rubber bulb to draw a portion of the electrolyte

from each cell, furnishes the best indication of the condition of the battery. The hydrometer shows the specific gravity of the electrolyte, which for a fully charged cell should be 1280 on a specific gravity scale. If the car is out of service for a considerable length of time, as when laid up for the winter, it is necessary to charge the battery at regular intervals. This may be done by running the engine at a car speed of twenty miles per hour for at least one hour every two weeks. If the car is to be stored, and it is not convenient to charge as above, the battery should be removed from the car and placed in a reliable garage to be properly taken care of.

If your battery is arranged with terminal posts for the wiring connections these must be examined occasionally to see that they are clean and free from sulphate. The thorough application of a small amount of vaseline at the metal connections to the battery posts will prevent sulphating and consequent corrosion and poor electrical contact at these points. If the electrolyte leaks from the joints, bottom, or wood sides of the battery case, one or more of the hard rubber cells are cracked or broken. The battery must be returned to the factory for repairs or replacement. The metal battery box must be thoroughly wiped out with a cloth saturated with ammonia to neutralize the acid and prevent corrosion. The top of the battery must be kept clean and dry to prevent a leakage of current between the terminals. See that the battery is held securely in its metal box or other container. If necessary pac tightly with waste to prevent the battery shaking about from jolting of the car. Tools, other metal articles, or anything of value should not be placed near the battery as the acid fumes will corrode and destroy metal, cloth and like material. Make certain that the battery terminals cannot touch the cover of the metal battery box. A thin sheet of wood fiber fitted inside the cover of the battery box will prevent short circuits or grounds from this cause. It must be remembered that the efficiency of any storage battery decreases with drop in temperature and it is only about 50 per cent. efficient at zero temperature. For this reason the demand for current should be kept as low as possible in cold weather and lamps turned off when not needed.

The user of any electrical starting and lighting system will

Fig. 312.-Wiring Diagram, Showing Typical Lighting System.

avoid trouble and expense by the observation of the following instructions:

Don't replace worn-out brushes with any others than those supplied by the manufacturer.

Don't put oil or grease on the commutator of the generator or motor. No lubrication is wanted there.

Don't turn the hose on the generator or motor when washing your car.

Don't tighten up on the silent chain drive unless the slack be

comes excessive from stretching. The chain must be run with a reasonable amount of slack to prevent noise and wear.

Don't fail to lubricate the silent chain drive at frequent intervals. Noise will be eliminated and wear reduced. Keep the chain and sprockets clean, and free from dirt and gravel.

I'on't run your car, if for any reason the battery is disconnected from the circuit, unless you have disconnected the chain. driving the generator, or the generator itself has been removed.

Don't attempt to propel car with starter. Such "stunts" are interesting, but expensive. Gasoline is for that purpose.

Don't attempt to make adjustments of any kind in the circuit breaker.

Don't fuss with the system when it is operating properly. Typical Lighting System.-In order to show clearly the wide use that is made of electric current, even on cars not provided with an electric starting motor, wiring diagrams are shown at Fig. 312 which represent the frame and body wiring of a Packard touring car without starting motor. This wiring is used solely for conveying battery current to the lamps and other current-consuming units, which includes a Klaxon horn and speedometer light in addition to the usual lighting equipment of six lamps. Two rear lamps are provided, one of these the usual red signal specified by law, the other is a white light used to illuminate the license tag. In order to make it possible to remove the body from the chassis without destroying the wiring, the current conductors are run in two independent groups, one being secured to the body, the other running through suitable conduits attached to the frame. The upper view shows the body wiring with the storage battery connected, though this member is carried by the frame and has a connector which may be readily broken when desired to join the battery with the body junction box. Among the appliances carried by the body may be mentioned the side lamps, the speedometer and dash lights, the Klaxon horn, and the two tail lamps. The arrangement of the wiring is clearly shown in the illustration, the method of running the wires from the junction box to the various units is clearly defined. Attached to the chassis are the two head lights, the storage battery, and the lighting generator. In this