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What to Do When the Lights Go Out in the City
This topic area can and should cover all aspects of what to do when the lights go out and the the wall sockets are 
just another way for drafts to enter the room.  My personal interest has been focused for many years on hydrogen 
technology. Water is the most abundant compound molecule on Earth (hydrogen being the most abundant single 
molecule) and we should be taking every advantage of it. Ever since the old "Brown's Gas Generator" was buzzing 
about the BBS Boards (pre-internet), I've found this topic fascinating. Not that it works every time - but I suspect 
that the oil companies spend beau-coupe dinero trying to suppress SIMPLE hydrogen technology in favor of 
high-tech fuel cells and complicated computer-operated engines that only specialists can build or perform 
maintenance on.
We all know that, in the proper proportions, hydrogen burns with a good deal of energy. The product is water. 
Performed correctly, the hydrogen engine may be the closest to a perpetual motion machine we can get. Now, 
whether we can generate more power from these devices than it takes to produce the hydrogen is the trick. I 
believe if you can get a small motor running a series of alternators - each wired to hydrogen generators and the 
gas produced then piped out to a larger, conventional generator, that you may be able to provide sufficient 
electricity for the average home.  I DO NOT claim that this is feasible, only that it seems as if it should be. Until I 
personally attempt it (or someone I actually know attempts it), I won't completely believe that it can't be done.
There are some fascinating videos available: Google "hydrogen generator plans" under the Video search option. 
There's a lot of kooks, but some apparently genuine results, as well.
THE AUTOMOBILE STORAGE BATTERY ITS CARE AND REPAIR (1922)
THE AUTOMOBILE STORAGE BATTERY ITS CARE AND REPAIR
1922
0. A. WITTE
RADIO BATTERIES, FARM LIGHTING BATTERIES
    A practical book for the repairman. Gives in nontechnical language, the theory, construction, operation, 
manufacture, maintenance, and repair of the lead-acid battery used on the automobile. Describes at length all 
subjects which help the repairman build up a successful battery repair business. Also contains sections on radio 
and farm lighting batteries.
Published 1922 by
THE AMERICAN BUREAU OF ENGINEERING, INC. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U. S. A.
Editors Note:
...Furthermore, this book was written at a time when people were far less safety conscious and knowledgeable 
than they are today. Lead poisoning is a real danger. Before attempting the work in this book, you are urged to 
not only learn the safety habits in this book and read the lead safety section I've added from information gleaned 
from the web, but also seek additional expert safety information on working with lead. We've all heard about the 
dangers of lead poisoning especially in babies and children which can cause lifelong brain damage; The lead 
worker can easily bring contamination home on his work clothing to contaminate his family. I am not an expert and 
only reproducing information, so be warned and be careful...
Preface
    Many books have been written on Storage Batteries used in stationary work, as in electric power stations. The 
storage battery, as used on the modern gasoline car, however, is subjected to service which is radically different 
from that of the battery in stationary work. It is true that the chemical actions are the same in all lead-acid storage 
batteries, but the design, construction, and operation of the starting and lighting battery, the radio battery, and the
farm lighting battery are unique, and require a special description.
    This book therefore refers only to the lead-acid type of starting and lighting battery used on the modern 
gasoline Automobile, the batteries used with Radio sets, and the batteries used with Farm Lighting Plants. It is 
divided into two sections. The first section covers the theory, design, operating conditions, and care of the battery.
    The second section will be especially valuable to the battery repairman. All the instructions given have been in 
actual use for years, and represent the accumulated experiences of the most up-to-date battery repair shops in 
the United States.
    The first edition of this book met with a most pleasing reception from both repairmen and battery manufacturers.
It was written to fill the need for a complete treatise on the Automobile Storage Battery for the use of battery 
repairmen. The rapid sale of the book, and the letters of appreciation from those who read it, proved that such a 
need existed.
    The automobile battery business is a growing one, and one in which new designs and processes are continually
developed, and in preparing the second and third editions, this has been kept in mind. Some of the chapters have 
been entirely rewritten, and new chapters have been added to bring the text up-to-date. Old methods have been 
discarded, and new ones described. A section on Farm lighting Batteries has been added, as the automobile 
battery man should familiarize himself with such batteries, and be able to repair them. A section on Radio batteries 
has also been added.
    Special thanks are due those who offered their cooperation in the preparation and revision of the book. Mr. 
George M. Howard of the Electric Storage Battery Co., and Mr. C. L. Merrill of the U. S. Light & Heat Corporation 
very kindly gave many helpful suggestions. They also prepared special articles which have been incorporated in 
the book. Mr. Henry E. Peers consulted with the author and gave much valuable assistance. Mr. Lawrence 
Pearson of the Philadelphia Battery Co., Mr. F. S. Armstrong of the Vesta Accumulator Co., Messrs. P. L. 
Rittenhouse, E. C. Hicks and W. C. Brooks of the Prest-O-Lite Co., Mr. D. M. Simpson of the General Lead 
Batteries Co., Mr. R. D. Mowray and Mr. C. R. Story of the Universal Battery Co., Mr. H. A. Harvey of the U. S. 
Light and Heat Corporation, Mr. E. B. Welsh of the Westinghouse Union Battery Co., Mr. S. E. Baldwin of the 
Willard Storage Battery Co., Mr. H. H. Ketcham of the United Y. M. C. A. Schools, and Messrs. Guttenberger and 
Steger of the American Eveready Works also rendered much valuable assistance.
    The Chapter on Business Methods was prepared by Mr. G. W. Hafner.
    0. A. WITTE
    Chief Engineer, American Bureau of Engineering, Inc.
    September, 1922
 (Table of) Contents
Section I - Working Principles, Manufacture,
Maintenance, Diseases and Remedies
        1. INTRODUCTORY
        2. BATTERIES IN GENERAL
        3. MANUFACTURE OF STORAGE BATTERIES
        4. CHEMICAL CHANGES IN THE BATTERY
        5. WHAT TAKES PLACE DURING DISCHARGE
        6. WHAT TAKES PLACE DURING CHARGE
        7. CAPACITY OF STORAGE BATTERIES
        8. INTERNAL RESISTANCE
        9. CARE OF BATTERY ON THE CAR
        10. STORAGE BATTERY TROUBLES
Section II - Shop Equipment Shop Methods
        11. SHOP EQUIPMENT
        12. GENERAL SHOP INSTRUCTIONS
        13. BUSINESS METHODS (Omitted)
        14. WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE BATTERY?
        15. REBUILDING THE BATTERY
        16. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
Section III
        17. FARM LIGHTING BATTERIES
        DEFINITIONS
        GENERAL INDEX
        A VISIT TO THE FACTORY
        BUYERS INDEX (Omitted)
        ADVERTISEMENTS (Omitted)
        LEAD POISONING AND SAFETY (Added)

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