Inadequacy of luminous paint on instrument needles and proposing a dedicated instrument board light as a solution.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 75\2\ scan0109 | |
| Date | 28th May 1923 | |
| Da {Bernard Day - Chassis Design} /Ev. {Ivan Evernden - coachwork} from Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Sp. {Mr Spinney} Y3888 Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 3/LG28. 5. 23. RE. INSTRUMENT BOARD LIGHT. X 3615 / X.3888 We have so far been unable to obtain a satisfactory luminous paint for the needle on the petrol level indicator. The hand, on the one we have, can be seen fairly well when it is very dark, but in twilight or dusk, it is not possible to see it. We have come to the conclusion that even for the petrol level indicator it would be an advantage to have a small lamp fitted to the rear cross member rather than a luminous dial. It would not mean any extra wire, because the wire already passes where the lamp would be fixed. Although it must be admitted, that some watches with luminous figures and hands appear to work satisfactorily, we cannot conceive how an instrument like the Weston Ammeter could be made satisfactory with a luminous dial or needle. We think, apart from showing the instruments, it is desirable to have a light on the instrument board which can be used by the driver or passengers for examining money-change, maps, and also as a light for finding the way to the front seat if the car is left out in the dark. The 'Marmon' has a very satisfactory instrument lighting but their arrangement of instruments makes this impossible. Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||
From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).