CHAPTER XVII
ELECTRIC VEHICLES
The construction of electrically-equipped cars is one which requires pages of explanations and illustrations to do it justice. The scope of the present work was originally intended to cover only gasoline-driven cars, so that this chapter, which in a measure only sets forth the manner in which such automobiles are built, will more particularly point out the mechanism which pertains to the operation, and the care needed to maintain them.
It is a long and difficult study to understand the electrical details necessary to build, repair, or maintain electric cars, but it is part of the general mechanic’s duty to understand where the troubles lie, when the mechanism fails to respond, and most of the electrical devices are now so made that the ordinary mechanic is able to make repairs, even though he may not have a technical knowledge of electricity.
Within the past five years this type of automobile has been improved to such an extent that it is steadily gaining ground, and their use growing to such a degree that it may soon become a great rival of the gasoline car, especially for pleasure purposes.
There never has been any question as to the value of electric motors for traction service. Wherever a current of electricity can be distributed and transmitted to a motor, it is the most satisfactory method of moving vehicles, as has been shown in street railways.
Requirements.—But on individual cars, incapable of getting current from a system of wiring, the matter presents an entirely different aspect, and brings forth new problems, hence storage batteries must be resorted to, and this involves the consideration of many elements that may be ignored with the usual traction system.
Inventors have vied with each other to produce a type of battery that would possess at least three particular features of excellence, which may be stated as follows:
First. Exceeding lightness, proportioned to the energy exerted, and compactness of structure.
Second. A form of grid which will hold the matter, or active material, within it, and prevent it from disintegrating or falling out of the recesses into which it is pressed.
Third. To add to the life of the battery, or to the individual grids, or plates, which means the discovery of new material, available to receive and accumulate the electric charge.