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).
Discussions with a Lucas representative regarding issues with a regulator and cutout unit.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 168a\4\ img031 | |
| Date | 9th August 1937 | |
| RM{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/RC{R. Childs} 9.8.37. Items discussed and decisions made during visit of the Lucas Representative. Regulator. It was explained to Mr. Thacker that apart from the reliability of this unit, which would be determined by prolo ged road and bench tests, we did not like the dropin characteristic. Figures were quoted, to shew the fall in regulated output with rise in temperature. The position was summed up as follows :- (a) The increase (from 1.5 m.m. to 3.0 m.m.) in the width of slot in the hinge spring HAD little effect. Can the makers still further increase this slot, or do anything else to reduce the drop? (b) In the event of further improvement of characteristic being impossible, are we prepared to accept the unit with its existing characteristic, having in mind, that the battery boost during the day may balance the drain on the battery during night running. As regards (a), Mr. Thacker said he would make enquiries. As regards (b) it was generally agreed that the present characteristic meant working too near the border line, and it was finally agreed that if nothing more could be done with the present unit, we would ask the makers to try and overcome the difficulty on the basis of a larger unit. This arrangement was to be presented to By, by Rd. Mr. Thacker was next asked to report on the makers examination of regulator No.LT.1212, which was faulty in respect of the spring-control collapsing. This fault had been demonstrated and the unit handed over to him for return three weeks previously. He gave details of the causes of the failure, and was emphatic that the fault was one of assembly and not design. Cutout. The lag in operation of the cutout when in the hot condition was next discussed. It was explained to Mr. Thacker that this was partly due to the rising operating characteristic of the cutout, and partly to the falling regulated characteristic of the regulator both of which occurred with rise in temperature of the units. Mr. Thacker contended that this trouble did not occur on their standard unit fitted on other makers of car, and that it | ||