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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).
Recommendations for improvements to starter switch contacts and ignition switch levers.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 166\3\  img026
Date  31th July 1934
  
-3- Cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary}

(5) The starter switch contact should be more flexible. We understand this is already being dealt with. The drop in volts across the existing starter switch contacts with a current of 20 amperes was .31 volts. We should get this volt drop down to a minimum due to the fact that with this type of switch there will be two sets of contacts in series between the supply terminal and each feed terminal. The contact surfaces should therefore be as large as possible. Furthermore we have no carbon contacts to protect, the current carrying switches at make and break.

(6) We would prefer that the ignition switch levers should be made in hard drawn copper or brass. On a sparking test breaking a current of two amperes a spark was quite appreciable at break although the circuit tried was not inductive. In a highly inductive circuit, like with the coil primary this sparking is certain to be much worse. With this risk it is thought that these levers should at least be tipped with some rare metal such as silver, tungsten or platinum which will not unduly burn or corrode and this cause interference with the main ignition circuit.

Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Ws.
  
  


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