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).
Arguing against the fitting of a suction-operated ignition control switch, citing modern alternatives and increased unreliability.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 37\1\ scan 210 | |
| Date | 21th September 1932 | |
| X2199 F.{Mr Friese} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst. C. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst.10/KT. 21.9.32. SUCTION-OPERATED IGNITION CONTROL SWITCH. We thank you for your FIO/JL. 20.9.32, and the attached leaflet describing the above. We do not think there is any advantage in the fitting of this switch, either on aircraft or chassis, for the following reasons :- (a) Most cars are now fitted with a red warning light which indicates when the ignition has been left on, so that the condition where the battery is run down due to the ignition being left on, is extremely rare. (b) There is no possibility of the ignition coil burning out nowadays, due to the ignition being left on any length of time. The coil design has so improved in recent years, such that it can stand 20% overload of voltage in a standing condition, without charring the windings. The fitting of such devices as decribed, always increases the element of uncertainty and unreliability in the operation of the ignition system, and unless they achieve some specific valuable purpose, the fitting of them should be strongy deprecated. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst. | ||