Ignition System - Cadillac V-63 1923 Operator's Manual

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GENERAL CAKE
Before the engine is running fast enough to generate sufficient current
to equal the current demand, the ammeter indicates on the "Discharge"
side the amount of current being drawn from the storage battery. When
the engine has attained a speed sufficient to generate current to more than
equal demand, the ammeter indicates on the "Charge" side the excess
current. This passes to the storage battery and recharges it.
Ordinarily, with all lights switched off, sufficient current is generated to
start recharging the battery when the car is operated in high gear at speeds
from ten to twelve miles per hour and, of course, at much lower speeds
when the car is operated in low or intermediate gear. With all lights turned
on sufficient current is generated to take care of the requirements at speeds
from ten to fifteen miles per hour. At speeds greater than this the surplus
current passes through the storage battery and recharges it. In other words,
the ammeter indicates the rate at which the storage battery is being charged
or discharged.
To determine the total output of the generator turn off all the lights
and add the amount of current used for ignition, i. e., two to three amperes,
to the ammeter reading.
MOTOR GENERATOR COMMUTATORS
Do not put oil on the commutators of the motor generator.
IGNITION SYSTEM
The ignition system embodies the following elements: A source of cur-
rent, the generator, or at low speeds, the storage battery; an ignition timer,
which interrupts the low tension current at the proper instant to produce
a spark in the high tension circuit; an induction coil, transforming the
primary current of six volts into one of sufficient voltage to jump between
the points of the spark plugs; a condenser, which assists the induction coil
to raise the voltage, and which protects the contact points of the ignition
timer from burning; and a high tension distributor which directs the distri-
bution of the high tension current to the spark plugs in the respective
cylinders.
Spark Plugs
Spark plugs should be clean. When carbon or soot is permitted to collect
on them short circuiting of the current results and prevents the proper
ignition of the charge in the cylinder. A good method of cleaning plugs is
to wash them in alcohol. Use gasoline in the absence of alcohol.
In order to get the best results the points of the spark plugs should be
.023 of an inch apart.
GENERAL CARE
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Cleaning Lamp Reflectors
The reflectors of the head and side lamps are plated with pure silver. In
polishing, extreme care must be exercised in selecting materials which will
not scratch it.
Powdered dry rouge and a chamois skin are recommended. If the reflec-
tors are tarnished, moisten the rouge with alcohol, and apply with the
chamois. Then polish with a dry chamois and rouge.
The chamois should be soft and must be free from dust. Do not use a
chamois used for any other purpose.
Lamp Bulbs
It is recommended that bulbs for the lamps be purchased from a Cadillac
distributor or dealer. In any event bulbs should have the correct voltage
and candle power rating. The following is a table of correct voltages and
candle powers:
Lamps Voltage Candle Power
Head
Side
Instrument
Tail
Stop light
Back-up light
Portable
Dome, enclosed cars
Quarter, enclosed cars
8
8
4
4
8
8
8
8
8
21
4
2
2
21
21
4
4
2
Cigar Lighter
The wire to the cigar lighter (See Figure 1) is carried on a reel fastened
to the front face of the instrument board. Pulling the cigar lighter out of
its receptacle on the instrument board automatically operates a switch in
the reel chamber by which current to the cigar lighter is controlled. Per-
mitting the cigar lighter to return to its receptacle automatically switches
off the current. If it is desired to light a pipe with the cigar lighter the
shield around the heating element may be removed by turning it slightly to
disengage the bayonet lock and then pulling it straight off. If the heating
element should be burned out it may be replaced in the same manner as a
headlamp bulb after removing the shield.
Portable Lamp
The portable lamp is attached to the right hand side of the front face
of the dash. The wire to the lamp is wound upon a reel. The current for
the lamp is controlled by a small switch button near the lamp socket. To
use the lamp lift the right hand side of the engine hood and pull the lamp