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).
Performance of a Delco starter switch and suggesting an alternative for the Goshawk II.
| Identifier | Morton\M1.1\ img058 | |
| Date | 15th September 1931 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to CJ. c. to K.{Mr Kilner} c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to HY.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} c. to EWT. for R.R.Inc. ORIGINAL Hsl./L.G.15.9.31. X805 DELCO STARTER SWITCH. X3915 We are sending to Mr. Royce the starter Switch off the Harson Car. This switch appears to us to be very simple and has never given the slightest trouble during the 8000 miles which the car has been run. Before we dismantled the switch we did our best to abuse it, i.e., we tried making only a light contact without pressing the pedal right down. It will be seen from the appearance of the switch that it has come to no harm. We notice that all makers of starter switches have abandoned using switches with carbon and copper contacts. Messrs. Lucas informed us that they had persevered for a long time with copper and carbon contact switches but had now finally abandoned them. We feel that an alternative switch should be made for Goshawk ll, because there is no doubt at some time the carbon contact only will be made and when this happens it will not take many seconds to destroy the switch. * Copper and carbon contacts may be excellent for a magnetically operated switch but not for hand or foot operated.* [Handwritten note in middle of page] Realistic Words of Simple Wisdom [Handwritten note at bottom right of page] from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} R loved his carbon/copper switches 2 stage for a starter button R.R. 386A 100 T(S). H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} 798. 10-12-30) G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} Y947 | ||