Small Generators for Isolated

Homes

A BOON for the Islands man to-day is the small petrol electric generator set, known as the home-power unit.

These outfits are generally available in two sizes, one having an output of 6 volts, 100 watts, being driven by a V 2 h.p. petrol engine, and the other 12 volts 300 watts, being driven by 1 h.p. petrol engine. Good makes have extraordinarily high efficiency and long life and can be adapted to a number of uses.

Radio was responsible for these machines.

In the early stages of radio, all valves in re ceivers were of the heavy consumption type, which necessitated the use of accumulators. The disability attendant on the charging of accu mulators brought about low consumption valves, which made possible the use of dry cells, carbon cells, etc., in place of the accu

mulator. Having eliminated the accumulator radio engineers then attacked the “B'’ battery!

The vibrator was introduced; but, whilst elim inating the “B” battery, by reason of the additional consumption it brought back the accumulator. The bugbear of accumulator charging, therefore, again demanded attention, and was taken care of by the home-power unit.

Since the smallest commercial petrol engine manufactured is y 2 h.p., the whole of this power was made available in electrical energy, so that the engine not only took care of radio battery charging, but also of car and launch battery charging, and even operated a limited number of electric lamps. • The necessity for the device on the one hand, plus the luxury of some electric lights, created an extraordinary demand and brought about the production of a 12-volt machine, also.

It is claimed that these little machines will take full care of any home up to about 10 rooms.

A home-power unit, in two types, now being marketed throughout Australia and the South Seas by Messrs. Amplion (Australasia) Pty. Ltd., of Sydney, is that of Briggs and Stratton, the world s largest manufacturers of small gasoline engines. The same company also markets a full range of motors, varying from % to 5 h.p., and a complete service is offered on both home-power units and petrol motors.—**

Miss B. Kroening returned to Kieta,

Bougainville, T.N.G., by the last “Mal

aita”.