Letter from Peto & Radford comparing H.D.E. and P.D.L. battery performance and proposing a field test.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 38\5\ Scan134 | |
| Date | 1st July 1921 | |
| PETO & RADFORD. CONTINUATION 1. Messrs. Rolls-Royce Ltd. lighting and starting sets without Renewal. Further, although it has not quite such a good performance at high rates of discharge (owing to the many thin plates in the H.D.E. battery having a much greater surface area) we considered that the P.D.L. had sufficient margin to be able to start an engine under any conditions and we understand that this has been found to be the case on Mr. Northey's car. The thin plate type has not quite such a long life, but you may consider it long enough for all practical purposes. In our opinion however, it will not stand neglect quite so well as the P.D.L. type, and will require more looking after. However, we have a suggestion to make and that is that you send us one of the H.D.E.13. cells and one P.D.L.9. (we will send you a new one of each type to replace these and so keep the two batteries in use) and we will open them up and see how they are wearing. Both have now done a good deal of the work you require and have been a reasonable time in use. We may be wrong, but fancy that the P.D.L.9 cell will be in better condition although it is a year older. If you will do this we will give you a fair report and make our recommendation as to type and if you wish it allow your representative to come down to our laboratory and see the sections himself if there is any doubt about them. Perhaps after you have considered this suggestion you will let us know your views. Yours faithfully, PETO & RADFORD. G.R.N. Minchin FC 7 1921 RECEIVED! | ||
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).