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).
Letter discussing the control switch, inspection lamp socket, and instrument board lights for the 4-EX model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 40\2\ Scan028 | |
| Date | 19th August 1921 | |
| X 3552 CC Mr. Belnap, Mr. Nadin. Cyl/G 19821. August 19. 1921. Mr. Claude Johnson, Managing Director, Rolls-Royce Ltd., London, England. X.805. X.3552. Attention: Mr. Royce & Works Committee. Dear Sir:- Re Parts on 4-EX - Control Switch.(R1/G17.6.21). The control switch we are obtaining from Delcos is similar in operation to the one used on the Marmon and seen by Mr. Royce, except that the face of the switch is better finish and carries the name Rolls-Royce in our typical lettering, and the ignition side of the switch, although it only has two positions, serves a double purpose, namely, in the "ON" position it breaks magneto earth and makes connection for the ignition starter press button and Klaxon, while in the "OFF" position it does the reverse. In regard to this same matter, Mr. Royce remarks that the control switch should have a socket for the inspection lamp. The English type of two-prong socket is not generally used in this country, and we think that the inspection lamp can be most conveniently arranged by fixing a standard socket as used for the instrument lights on the back of the instrument board and wiring this in parallel with the instrument board lights. Any standard lamp connector can then be used on the inspection lamp. With regard to the push button for the instrument board lights, it is perhaps worth bringing to Mr. Royce's attention that the ordinary type of press button is not generally regarded as being suitable for instrument board lighting, because many drivers desire to have their instrument board lights burning the whole time so that they can see their instruments at a glance. The type of pull and push switch used on the ordinary Delco control switch is generally regarded as better because the lights can be left on or off as desired. We are sure that the use of a push button switch for instrument board lights would lead to a good deal of alteration by customers who are not satisfied with this type of switch. Yours truly, ROLLS ROYCE OF AMERICA INC. per M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Olley. MO/G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} | ||