The Leclanche.

Fig. 51.

The readiest rule for connecting a battery is to arrange it according to the resistance of the line or outside wiring. So as we will have to use house-wiring far exceeding in length that on the coil, and probably of less diameter. Therefore the series arrangement will be the one to use, and not less than four cells of a low-resistance battery.

This battery consists of a carbon rod surrounded by granular peroxide of manganese forming the positive pole and a piece of zinc for the negative pole, both elements being immersed in a solution of sal ammoniac (chloride of ammonia). If a wire be runoutsidethe solution and connecting the carbon and zinc, a current of electricity flows along it. The chemical action taking place is as follows: The zinc combines with the chlorine of the solution, liberating free hydrogen and ammonia. The hydrogen appears at the carbon, where it is acted upon by the oxygen of the peroxide of manganese. If too much current is taken from the cell, that is, if the wire or circuit be of too low resistance, the oxidizing action of the peroxide is not rapid enough, and a film of hydrogen, which is a poor conductor, forms over the carbon and increases the resistance of the battery—also setting up what is termed “local action” (actually, a battery opposing a battery).

After a rest, the hydrogen is absorbed, but a cell rarely regains its pristineactivity after too severe demands upon it. The original Leclanche batteries were imported from France, the home of the inventor, but of recent years they are made in the United States, England and Germany. The most important point to be considered in a galvanic cell is the purity of its active parts. The zincs should be as nearchemically pure as can be obtained; the peroxide of manganese of the best quality and perfectly free from foreign substances, and the sal ammoniac the purest that can be manufactured. The actual difference in work between a battery so constructed, and the average cheap cell sold at a price to catch the unwise, is tremendous. And this difference is indicated, not only in work, but when the battery is at rest. Local action in a cheap battery will exhaust it even when it is not in circuit, whereas a battery cell of good material will remain in good order for months without more attention than the addition of water or sal ammoniac. It has been often remarked that the batteries made to-day are inferior to those made years ago, but it is only true of the cheap-priced cells; if a good price is paid and attention given to securing a well made cell, the output will be as satisfactory.

Fig. 52.

To set up a Leclanche cell, proceed as follows: Put six ounces of sal ammoniac into the glass jar; fill the jar one-third full ofclearwater and stir. Put in the porous cup and fill the jar with water up to its neck, pouring a few teaspoonfuls of water into the hole inporous cup. When the cell is in working condition, the level of the solution will be found to have receded, owing to absorption by the porous cup. To prevent the creeping of sal ammoniac up the neck of jar and on to the terminals of the cell, a layer of paraffin is applied to neck of jar and porous cup. Should this need renewing, vaseline can be used, or any heavy grease, care being taken that it does not get on electrodes or where the wires are to be fastened. When the cell refuses to work, throw out old solution, wash porous cup, jar and zinc in warm water, and replace with new solution. There is a limit, when a new porous cup must be used, but this can be done when cell does not work after being treated as above. The electromotive force of the Leclanche cell is about 1.45, and current on short circuit of nearly one ampere, depending of course on thickness and porosity of porous cup, size of zinc, and a few other points.

Fig. 53 is one of the Leclanche group, in which a compound carbon element displaces the earthenware porous cup. Thiscarbon is composed of two parts, a hollow-fluted lower piece and a threaded top, which carries the binding post. In the process of manufacture, the top piece is heated red-hot and plunged into hot paraffin wax, thus ensuring a complete diffusion of the paraffin throughout the carbon. In this way the creeping of salt or solution, and consequent corrosion of electrodes and failure of cell, are avoided. The lower portion is much more porous than the upper and is filled with a combination of pea-carbon and peroxide of manganese held in by aplug at the bottom. This plug can be removed and new depolarizer added. Directions given by the manufacturers for renewing this element are to hold the lower end of the carbon over a burner flame until the plug is softened and can be removed, or to immerse the extreme lower end of the carbon in boiling water. After refilling, a cork plug can be used.

Fig. 53.

The E. M. F. of the No. 2 size is from 1.40 to 1.47 volts, and current, on short circuit, of 12 to 16 amperes. The No. 2 Special has same E. M. F., but current of only 5 amperes, being intended where strong current is not required but quick recuperation. It will be seen that this cell is far more suited to electric gas-lighting work than the simple Leclanche, owing to its great current delivery.

Of so-called dry cells there are numbers on the market at so low a price that it does not pay to make one’s own. But for those who wish to do so, the following formula, furnished by Mr. Wm. Roche, of New Standard battery fame, will be found excellent:

One pint CLEAR WATER.

Five ounces sal ammoniac.

Six ounces zinc chloride.

Dissolve the sal ammoniac in the water thoroughly. Let stand twenty-four hours. Then add the zinc chloride, and when cool, will be ready for use.

When you have your zinc cup ready, pour a little wax in the bottom, to insulate; place a piece of blotting-paper inside cup and laying tight against the zinc, about three turns. The negative element is prepared as follows: One pound pure carbon, powdered; one pound black oxide manganese; mix thoroughly. Then add sufficient of above solution to hold it together without being plastic, as that would be too wet to tamp.

Moisten your paper in the zinc cup thoroughly. Place your stick or plate of carbon in centre of zinc cup, hold it there central while you pack in the carbon manganese element all around it; be sure that carbon manganese, or negative element, does not touch zinc cup. If it does, your cell will run down quickly. It is a good precaution to have your paper half an inch higher than cupwhen in the cup, and soaked with the solution. Give it a couple of quick taps on the bench; that will curl the paper in at the bottom and insure against any internal short circuit. When your cell is filled up, clean all the carbon element away from the zinc. Seal, and your battery is ready when you’ve got the connections on.

Fig. 54.

The principal sizes of this cell (Fig. 54) are as follows:

No. 2—5-7/8 × 2-7/16.No. 3—3-3/4 × 1-7/8.No. 5—6 × 2-9/16.No. 6—6 × 3.No. 7—7 × 3.

The electromotive force is 1.5 volts, current of the No. 7 size on short circuit, 24 amperes. Nos. 2, 5, 6, or 7 are most suitable for electric gas lighting, either by simple primary coil or jump spark coil.

This cell (Fig. 55), gives a large, steady current and is of low internal resistance, but its electromotive force is not high, being less than .7 volt on closed circuit. Its output of current varies with the size, typeSbeing .025 ohm internal resistance and capacity of 300 ampere-hours. The Edison Lalande cell can be applied to electric gas lighting in cases where a large demand is made upon the battery, for example in church or theatre lighting.

Its elements consist of positive plates of amalgamated zinc suspended on each side of negative plates of black oxide of copper. Theelectrolyte is an aqueous solution of caustic soda. A layer of heavy paraffin oil is poured on top of the solution to prevent the solution from evaporating and also to keep the soda crystals from creeping up and over the rim of the jar.

Fig. 55.

To set up an Edison Lalande cell, fill the jar up to the brown mark with clear water; pour in the soda from the tin box,and stir. When thoroughly dissolved, pour on top of the solution one half-inch layer ofthe oil which is sent with the battery. Then theelements attached to the cover can be inserted, and the cell is ready for use.

Use care not to splash the solution, as it will burn the clothing and skin. If any does get on, a little animal grease or vegetable oil will quickly saponify it.

In the action of this cell the oxide of copper is reduced to metallic copper and the zincs consumed, it being intended that each element will require renewal at the same time. Upon picking into the oxide plate with a sharp-pointed instrument, if the plate is red throughout, it is exhausted; but, should it show black in its interior, it is still capable of a little more use, but is preferable to use a new plate whenever there is but little oxide left.

Never remove the oxide plates from the battery, and do not allow the solution to be less than one inch above oxide plates.

Although not often necessary in gas-lighting work, there is at times a demand for a heavy current, such as in lighting a big building, where a large coil must be operated. At such times a bichromate of potash cell becomes ofservice. One of the types is shown in Fig. 56.Jis a jar containing electropoion fluid described below.Cis a carbon plate immersed in this fluid.Pis a porous cup holding the zinc,Z, and being filled with a solution of 18 parts common salt, 72 parts water, and one ounce mercury.

Fig. 56.

The electropoion fluid for the outer jar is made by one pound bichromate of potash or soda to one gallon of water, mixing in a stone vessel. When dissolved, add three pounds commercial sulphuric acid carefully, a little at a time, and stir the mixture constantly as it gets hot. Always add the acid to the mixture; never attempt to pour the mixture into the acid, or trouble will result. The sodium salt is preferable to the potassium, owing to itsgreater solubility and its not formingchrome alum—a hard precipitate which sticks to jars, elements, etc., to their detriment.

Fig. 57.

Fig. 57, a form of battery known as the Grenet battery, is used where there is no porous cup. The zinc element,Z, is mounted on a rodRpassing through the capGof a glass jar,J, and can be raised or lowered into the electropoion fluid which the jar contains. This is a good scheme where the battery is liable to stand idle for a long period.

Terminals.—Take care that the solutions do not splash over terminals; keep all terminals and binding post screws clean and bright. See that all wires are tightly clamped in terminals, also that their ends are clean. A loose contact is productive of infinite trouble. Examine connections that elements are in proper relation to each other. If in multiple, to produce large current—zincs together and carbons together. If in series, for high electromotive force—zinc to carbon, throughout battery.

Zincs.—See that the zincs are clean; if crystals form, either reduce strength of solution with water, or scrape zincs clean, and watch if repeated. Examine screw which holds wire; it often corrodes, and makes poor contact in the thread.

A clever device for preserving a rod zinc from the accumulation of crystals is made by the manufacturers of the Samson cell. It consists of a thin paper tube which is slipped over the zinc. When the crystals accumulate so as to impair the cell, the tube is slipped off and a new one put on. This device increasesthe internal resistance of the cell but very slightly.

Porous cups and carbons.—Wash in warm water. Carbons can be well soaked in warm water and dried insun, in a place where they will not accumulate dust. Porous cups should be well soaked in warm water, and left to drain in a place exposed to dustless air. Examine binding post holes and screws.

Solutions.—Do not make too strong. Use not more than six ounces, or more than four ounces avoirdupois, of chemically pure sal ammoniac to one cell Leclanche. Warm water can be used for making solutions, if desired. Some persons drop a teaspoonful of acetic acid in the cell; it is not recommended. If in a place where sal ammoniac cannot be procured, use temporarily common table-salt in same proportion; thoroughly well clean battery first.

Batteries should be kept in a cool dry place. Dry cells should stand upright, also in a cool place, and an examination made once in a while of the connections.

New Standard Dry Battery

All sizes for all systems of Bells, Telephones, Burglar Alarms and Gas Lighting. Prices according to size and quantity.

New Standard “Autogas” Dry Battery

For very heavy work. Gas Mobiles, Lights, etc. No. 2 set, weight 27 lbs., neat oak case, $6.00 per set.

New Standard Jump Spark Rhumkorff Coils, $12.00 each.

New Standard Flashlight.

For use around Gasolene Engines, Automobiles, Launches, Clothes Closets, etc. $2.00 each.

This light will positively give equal to fifteen hours actual service. A $5.00 article for $2.00.

Complete catalogue for the asking.

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