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).
Internal discussion regarding the challenges and risks of standardizing an earthed electrical wiring scheme for cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 61a\1\ scan0067 | |
| Date | 20th July 1920 | |
| R.R. 199 (250T) (SD676 19-7-17) MP 180865 X.1357 Extract from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}3/LG20.7.20. X.3923b. RE WIRING AND ELECTRICAL UNITS ON X.3659. 6.EX CAR. X.4165. X.1357. X.1369. The design of the earthed wiring is also not yet completed as regards what we intend to do or recommend with reference to the type of bulbs and bulb holders. On 6.ex Car we had, at the last minute, to convert the standard Lucas Bulb Holders to the earthed scheme. We do not consider that is very satisfactory especially when we consider that we leave it to our customers to buy any type of lamps or electrical accessories they choose. As the standard lamps obtainable in this country are all for the closed circuit it would mean altering all types of lamp holders. If we say we are going to insist on the Single contact bulb holder then we want to realise the difficulties customers may have in obtaining lamps with suitable fittings and spare bulbs. It is very much more difficult to obtain single contact lamps than the ones we use at present. The Lucas people have informed us that they have fitted up several cars with earthed wiring. They say that if one could always finish the complete electrical system in every detail it should work very satisfactorily but they had endless trouble with people fitting cheap electrical accessories like cigar lighters etc. with earthed wiring. They say that in two cases where earthed wiring was fitted the car was set on fire. We cannot see why this should occur with earthed wiring if reasonable precautions are taken but we do think that before we think of standardising an earthed wiring scheme we should Contd. | ||