Three proposed changes for the ignition system, relating to the switch insulation, coil voltage, and a two-way battery switch.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 31\2\ Scan032 | |
| Date | 19th August 1915 | |
| COPY. X.1413 Copy for X562 To J. {Mr Johnson W.M.} from R. {Sir Henry Royce} R8/IB19815. August 19th. 1915 [Handwritten in red ink:] Proceed with standardisation and Report Sgd B.J.H My dear J: X.805 Re Ignition Switch for 6 volt Coil. X.1413 X.562 X.1911 Referring to the enclosed sheets, there are two or three distinct points mentioned. (1). The first point is the insulation of the switch on the steering column. This is admitted to be an advantage as it prevents the engine starting with an earth on the lighting system. This in itself is not a serious fault, but it is as well that it should be removed. [Handwritten in left margin:] Can be standard at once. (2). The second point is the 6 volt coil instead of a 4 volt coil. This is only a small change and has been well tested. (3). The third point is a two-way switch, so as to use the 12 volt battery equally. This is not an absolute necessity, but it is advisable, especially if the battery ignition is used very much and there is no electric starter to demand a lot of current. It is quite easy to produce such a switch, and it does not matter if it is never used really, but it should have an instruction engraved on a plate near or on it, to say that this should be switched over from 1 to 2 once a week or more often. The whole thing has been fitted to car 58NA {Mr Nadin} , which you are using, and Williams has been looking after it for a long time now. It is not likely to make a car less reliable, but is a considerable advantage in not having the wretched separate ignition battery, as well as being a considerable saving to the Company. [Handwritten in left margin:] Nothing about it to delay 1 & 2 and itself will not require long testing. This matter has been about a long time, and I think it would be as well to pass the two or three things for standardisation. I will see that a suitable two-way switch is made or purchased before any cars so fitted leave the Works. F.H.R. | ||
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).