The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-28
INTERESTING GOSSIP OF BIRMINGHAM AUTONOBHISTS

and high The reverse button is marked
II, neutral y while starter and horn
are marked 5 nd II respectively
"The operation of the Vulcan electric
gear shift is extremely easy and the pos
sibilities Of trouble are minmized by its
simple electric mechanical construction
The switch of push buttons is arranged
with a mechanical interlock so that one
button only may remain in position at
a tine. These buttons control the opera
tion of set of electro magnets, or solen-
oids as they are more commonly called
i'm this connection. There is one solenoid
for each speed forward and reverse To
the clutch pedal is connected mechan-
ica1 neutral device and a small mechan-
ical switch which completes the circuit
to the batter for energizing the solenoids
or electromagnetic.
When the driver has selected the de-
sired speed through his push button
switch ON the steering wheel the clutch
pedal is pushed all the way down, fully
releasing the clutch. drawing the gears
from their previous position to neutral.
engaging the mechanical SWITCH. closing
the electric circuit to the storage bat
terry, energizing the solenoids selected by
the push button and drawing the gear to
position instantly with pull of $50,
far more powerful pull than Is possible
to driver throwing the gears by hand.
The clutch Is then engaged in the ordi-
nary manner by the pedal When another
speed is desired the shift is made In
stantly and the clutch is re-engaged as
in customary practice.
After setting the spark and throttle
levers in the proper position for start
ing, move the ignition switch TO the butt
ton on the battery side push the starter
button marked s.. Immediately push for
ward on the clutch pedal and hold down
both the clutch pedal and starter but
ton until the motor starts. When the
motor is started, remove the pressure
from the starter button and clutch pedal
and the electric starter will be auto
matieally disconnected. Then throw the
ignition switch onto the gneto button.
To move the car forward push the low
speed button marked No. I down until
it locks; then push the foot clutch for
fard to its furthest position. This opera
tion makes an electrical contact and
shifts the gear.
ITO throw the second gear into mesh
push the button marked No. until it
locks and repeat the clutch movement. To
| throw the gear into high speed. push
the button marked No. 3 and repeat the
same clutch movement
ITO make the car move backward when
it is travelling forward. first stop the
car. then push the button marked "R''
IL.
with the Vulcan electric gear shift
the driver anticipate or select any
gear change that he desires. For exam
pie, II the car is going up a steep grade
on high gear that may necesstate the
dropping into second gear before the top
OF the grade is reached, the driver can
press button No at any time. and
when the car has slackened speed so
that the motor is about to labor, the
driver can throw the clutch lever to the
limit, let it in again, and the car will inn
mediately be running in second speed.
Pushing down the neutral button
clears the switchboard but not until the
driver throws out the clutch to the limit
BY pushing the clutch lever forward to
a limited degree. the clutch can be
slipped in the usual manner without in
any way affecting the gear shift. When
the clutch has been pushed about half
way out this brings any gear that is
being used into a neutral position and
pushing the clutch pedal to the extreme
limit makes the gear shift into any other
gear ratio that has been chosen by the
pressure of a button on the controlling
switch.
The Vulcan electric gear shifting out
fit was tested and thoroughly proved be-
fore given a part on the Haynes car. Tt
for many months before the first car
with the device as regular equipment
was turned out. In no case has 1t ever
given one minutes trouble, and not once
has it been necessary to shift the gears