The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1919-03-20

prepared by the United States Depart.
ment of Agriculture
1t is important that engine opera
tors famliariZe themselves with the
had effects produced on gas engines
by cold weather and with the easiest
ways of overcoming them, for with
such knowledge it is comparatively
easy to start a gas engine in the Sc
vereSt weather.
The cold affects starting in three
ways: Q) it makes ii harder to crank
the engine. because the oil congeals
on the bearings and around the pis-
ton and valves, (2) where dry bat
terry is used 1t weakens the spark, 90
1t causes gasoline to vaporize very
slowly or not at all, therefore makes
1t difficult to obtain a mixture of gas
oline vapor and air which can be ig-
nited by the spark.
The congealing of the oil is not usu-
ally a very serious difficulty, although
1t may necessitate a great deal more
effort in cranking the engine A lit
tie gasoline or kerosene on all bear
ingS which can be reached will help.
and liberal printing of gasoline ih
the cylinder will tend to thin the oil
around the piston as well as aid in
obtaining a good mixture, as noted be-
low.
Do Not Use Kerosene.
Kerosene will interfere with the
forming of a combustible mixture. Also
where gasoline or kerosene has been
used on bearings to make cranking
easier, the engine should not be put
under a load until the bearings have
had time TO get well fabricated again
with good oil.
The effect of cold on the ignition
system will be noticeable only where
dry cells are used, with the exception
that where the engine is equipped
with a timer which is oileN. the CON
gealing of the oil may interfere with
the contact of the timer. in which case
little kerosene or gasoline may be
necessary to thin the oil. When dry
cells are cold they become less ac-
tive, and at extremely low tempera-
ture they will cease giving current.
Therefore a dry battery should be kept
in warm place during the winter
when not in use, so as to be active
when needed. If this has not been
done it should be set in a warm place
for several minutes before attempt
ing to start the motor in cold wealth.
er. Never warm q battery by apply
ing intense heat directly to the cells,
but allow them to warm slowly. While
in operation they will generate suf1l.
cient heat to keep them active. With
cells which have been sealed in pa
ATTN or other wax, care should be ex-
ercised not to expose them to tenn
perature high enough to melt the wax.
Cold Retards Vaporizing.
The most serious effect of cold
weather on gas engine operation is
attributable to the fact that cold re-
tards the vaporizing of the fuel. Gas
cline as liquid will not burn; it
must first be turned into Il vapor and
this YapOr mixed with a certain
amount of air. A thin spray of gas
oline in warm air will quickly turn to
a vapor and mix with the surround
ing air, but at low temperatures
considerable part of such a spray will
remain liquid, hence will not make
an explosive mixture. The remedy
is obvious. A greater quantity of
gasoline must be furnished so as to
give off more Napor in order to make
mixture rich enough TO be combust-
ible, or the air must be heated so the
gasoline will vaporize more readily, or
a combination of these expedents
must be tried.
If the weather is only moderately
cold, it is usually sufficient to prime
the engine in some way, that is, in
ject a small quantity of gasoline
(about a spoOnfuD into the cylinder,
ordinarily either through a peteOck
or printing plug, in order that more
fuel may be present, hence more va
por. Whenever an engine is primed, o
short time should be allowed for the
fuel to vaporiZe and mix with the air
before attempting to crank the engine.
If this is not done the vapor will pass
out little at a time through the ex-
haust valve as the engine is cranked,
and the printing will not serve its pur-
pose.
Heat Must Be Applied.
In very cold weather, however prim-
ing with ordinary commercial gasoline
will sometimes be insufficient. and
heat must be applied by some means