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 from Rolls Royce of America regarding batteries running down on imported cars due to the dynamo belt stretching.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 48\3\ Scan116 | |
| Date | 3rd September 1920 | |
| X4211 Oy5/G - 3.9.20. September, 3rd. 1920. Mr. Claude Johnson, Managing Director, Rolls-Royce Ltd., 15 Conduit Street, London, England, Dear Sir:- Re: New Chassis Troubles. X.4211 X.676 X 9730 Mr. Hulley reports that considerable trouble is being met with through batteries running down on imported cars. This appears to be due to the very great use of the cars in New York for theater, parties, etc. where the lights are used to a very great extent and no high speed is possible. It is found that when the car gets hot the Whittle belt driving the dynamo will stretch and the dynamo under these conditions fails to cut in until the car has reached 18 miles per hour. This speed is too high for use in city driving. We should be glad to know whether you have tried any alternative for the Whittle belt, or whether you have tried slight ridges or corrugations in the faces of the V pulley on the dynamo. We find that when the above trouble occurs, the average driver tightens the belt to such an extent it twangs like a bow string, thus putting severe wear on the belt and the dynamo bearings, which threatens to wreck the dynamo. Any assistance which you can give us in this matter will be greatly appreciated. MO/G. Very truly yours, ROLLS ROYCE OF AMERICA Inc. Per M. {Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Olley. CC. Mr. Belnap. Mr. Nadin. Mr. Keim. Mr. Bagnall. Mr. Caswell. Mr. Hulley. Mr. Humpston. Mr. Poole. Mr. Steele | ||