Cadillac 1937 LaSalle VVI Information page 235

147
E L E C T R I C A L
inserting a resistance into the field circuit of the
generator.
A l l of the current and voltage regulators are
properly adjusted, tested, and sealed at the-factory
and should require no attention in service except-
ing that the external connections should be tight
and clean. If abnormal conditions arise, the
regulators should be checked thoroughly as
explained in N o t e 6.
S T A R T I N G C I R C U I T
The starting motor is mounted just in front of
the flywheel housing at the right side of the engine
on 37-50, 60, 65, 70 and 75 cars, and in back of
the flywheel housing at the right side of the trans-
mission case on 37-85 and 90 cars. T h e series
85 and 90 starting motor operates through double
reduction gears.
The starting motor is operated by a push
button on the dash, b y means of a solenoid, relay
and switch mounted together on the starter
housing. T h e solenoid engages the starter pinion
w i t h the flywheel gear before the c r a n k i n g current
is turned on.
The starter is connected back to the generator
in such a way that when the generator is charging,
a reverse current flows through the cut-out relay,
breaks the circuit, and prevents starter engage-
ment. T h e ignition switch is connected i n series
with the relay so the ignition must be turned on
before the starter can be operated.
The solenoid serves two purposes. It operates
both the starter gear shifting mechanism and the
starting current switch. W h e n sufficient current
is passed through the windings, the plunger is
moved first to engage the starter pinion w i t h the
flywheel ring gear and then to close the switch'
contacts.
B A T T E R Y
The battery capacities are as follows: 110
.ampere hours for series 37-50, .60 and 65, 130
ampere hours for series 37-70 and 75, 160 ampere
hours for series 85, and 190 ampere hours for
series 90. T h e battery is carried beneath the
front seat on the left hand side of the car on a l l
V-8 and V-12 cars. T h e battery is located beneath
the hood alongside of the right front fender on
the V - 1 6 . T h e positive terminal is grounded on
all series.
L I G H T I N G S Y S T E M
The lighting system provides headlamps w i t h
three d r i v i n g beams, p a r k i n g lights i n the head-
lamps, and two rear lamps, each containing a
d r i v i n g and a signal light and fitted w i t h reflex
buttons in the lamp bases.
" M u l t i - b e a m " headlamp equipment is provided,
having non-interchangeable right and left lenses
used w i t h specially designed reflectors and two-
filament prefocused bulbs. There are three
different beams obtainable w i t h these headlamps:
1. A n upper beam produced by the lower fila-
ments of both lamps which is used for country
driving.
2. A beam for country passing produced by
lowering the right headlamp beam only.
3. A beam produced by the upper filaments of
both lamps which is used for city driving.
The headlamps on series 37-50, 60, 65, 70, 75
and 85 are controlled by two switches, a hand
controlled button on the dashboard at the right
of the driver and a foot operated selector s w i t c h
on the floorboard to the left of the clutch pedal.
The hand controlled button has three positions to
provide the various beams as shown in Figure 28.
The headlamp indicators in the speedometer face
show at a l l times the beam in use.
The foot operated selector switch is operative
in two positions to provide the selection of either
the " c i t y " or the "passing" beam with the d r i v i n g
beam. T h i s arrangement has been incorporated
to permit the use of the city beam when passing
cars on winding roads, because under these con-
ditions the passing beam would cause glare.
See Figure 28.
The light switch is located, at the bottom of the
steering c o l u m n on series 37-90 cars and is oper-
ated by a lever in the center of the steering wheel.
Series 37-90 cars have a light relay located on the
front motor support to facilitate proper function-
ing of the "passing" beam in various positions of
the selector switch.
The foot selector switch on all series cars for
export purposes is only operative in one position.
It m a y be used in the " b r i g h t " beam position to
obtain the " c i t y " beam when passing a car on
the road. A l l series export cars are also equipped
w i t h fender lights and E x p o l y t e headlamps. These
special head lamps require the use of a 30-20 watt,
6-8 volt bulb.
Thermostat reldys are placed in the lighting
circuits of a l l 37 series cars to safeguard the car
against damage due to electrical shorts. When a
short occurs in the circuit, the current increases
to a point where the heat created will cause the
relay to open, breaking the circuit. W h e n the
current stops, the relay cools and closes, causing
current to flow again. T h i s opening and closing
of the relay causes the lights to flicker but will
not allow the current to increase to a point where
excessive heat would be developed and cause
damage to the lighting circuit.
The thermostat relays on series 37-50, 60, 65,
70, 75 and 85 cars are located on the light switch
and connected in series w i t h it. T h e thermostat
relays on series 37-90 cars are located on the hand
brake bracket under the left hand side of the clash.
These relays should open jn 1 minute when
subjected to 38 amperes at 70° F .