The adjustment of the counterweight to suit the gas given off from old gasoline in the carburetor, and the occasional rewinding, to elevate the blower weight, is practically all the attention this plant requires. It is a real gas plant which gives every service that may be obtained from coal gas.
THE HOLLOW-WIRE SYSTEM OF GASOLINE LIGHTING AND HEATING
The hollow-wire system of gasoline lighting possesses the advantage of simplicity in construction and ease of installation that makes it attractive, particularly for use in small dwellings. The ease with which plants of this character are installed in buildings already constructed and its relatively low cost has made it a popular means of lighting. The same principle as that used in the hollow-wire system is applied to portable gasoline lamps in which a remarkably convenient and brilliant lamp is made to take the place of the customary kerosene lamp. Small portable gasoline lamps are now extensively used for the same purpose as ordinary oil lanterns. These lamps are convenient as a source of light, make a handsome appearance and are relatively inexpensive to operate.
Fig. 186.—Hollow-wire system of gasoline lighting with gravity feed.
The hollow-wire system as commonly employed is illustrated in Figs. 186 and 187. In the gravity type of the system as illustrated in Fig. 186, the supply of gasoline is stored in the upper part of the house in a tank T and conducted to the burners below, through a system of small copper tubes as indicated by the heavy lines in the drawing. The same tank is used to supply the gasoline for the stove R in the kitchen and the lamps L in the different apartments. The gasoline supply in this case, is obtained entirely by gravity. This type of plant is not approved by the National Board of Underwriters but its use is quite generally permitted. The storage of gasoline in this form should be done with caution as carelessness or accident might lead to serious results. With an arrangement of this kind the force of gravity gives the pressure which supplies the burners below but it would not be possible to use the lamps on the same floor with the tank.
Fig. 187.—Hollow-wire system of gasoline lighting with pressure-tank feed.
Where it is desired to use lamps on both floors, a pressure tank is employed for supplying the gasoline to the lamps, as indicated in Fig. 187. In this plant the pressure tanks S, T in the basement, furnish the pressure which forces the supply of gasoline through the small tubes to the lamps L in the different rooms and also to the stove R in the kitchen.
The means of furnishing the pressure for supplying the gasoline to the burners may be a simple tank as that in Fig. 188, or the more elaborate apparatus shown in the double tank of Fig. 189. Either style will give good results but the double tank requires the least attention in operation and is therefore more satisfactory in use.