Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1905-11-21
W. X. BASSFORD PERFECTS NEW
SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTING.
Result of Years of
Study and Much
Hard Work.
STEADY. LIGHT.


and research, a local man, William
X. Bassford, has perfected what he
believes, and what gives ample indi-
cation, will doubtless prove revolu-
tionizing factor in electric lighting.
1t is a practical electric lighting plant
using oil for fuel.
Hdndreds-it might be said thous-
ands-of attempts have been made in
recent years to construct an electric
lighting plant which possesses the
qualifications declared to be embod-
led in Mr.. Bassford's invention.
The principal is to regulate the
lights, or voltage, so closely that
there will be no flickering or varia-
ton
The engine used is a vapor gas
engine and can use as fuel either
gasolene, gerosene, crude oil or al
cohol 1t makes its own gas auto
matically by special gas producer.
One great point about it is that it
uses fuel in exact proportion to the
load, that is the quantity of light be-
ing used at any time.
Mr. Bassford claims for it that the
cylinders will explode equally, both
as to time and impulse. Another ad-
vantage which it possesses is that it
has but a small flywheel in compar
ison with other engines, steam and
otherwise, which have been used in
similar experiments. 1t also has
great hywheel effect. The wheel
makes $50 revolutions minute and,
will revolve at a rate of mile a
minute.
Mr.. Bassford has set up in the
company's. temporary quarters at 154
Front street plant of 200 16-candle
power lights. The constancy and
close regulation of the lights, or volt
age, are strikingly shown when some
of the lights are turned of. The
other lights still maintain the same
candle power without flicker of bit
OF variation.
Mr. Bassford has the 200 lights
fixed in sections of fifty each. He
also has separate lights about the
shop.
In order to show the plants quail
tiles, all of the 200 lights were turn
ed on, and also one of the separate
lights
Then one section or fifty of the
lights were turned Off The other
lights and the separate light varied
not a whit. Then another section of
fifty lights, or 100 lights in ALL. were
turned off, and the same absence Of
variation or Pickering was shown.
The same was true when $50 of the
200 lights were off. Finally when
all 200 lights were turned off, the
separate light burned with the same
candle-power as when the other
lights were on.
1t is this result which is so hard
to attain. 1t would make it possible
for all but one of the several build
ings, for instance, using plant, to
have their lights turned off, and yet
the lights in the remaining building
would burn with the same brilliancy
as when the others were on.
Economy is claimed for the inven-
tion. The cost of fuel is but one
cent per lSilowatt hour, and the total
cost of lighting, it it claimed, includ
ing everything. lubricating oil, waste
and attendance, and allowing five
per cent for depreciation, would be
only " cents per kilowatt hour.
The Public Service Corporation
charges fifteen cents kilowatt hour
Experts have come here from all
parts of the country to see the inven-
tion and have pronounced it mar
vel. Mr. Bassford has spent year
experimenting in the old shop at the
foot of Gordon street working nights
until 10 and II o'clock, and has ex-
pended thousands of dollars to bring
the thing to perfection.
The company already has orders
for. and will build at once. twenty