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).
Oversized high tension ignition cables not fitting conduits and the decision to introduce new cables into production.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 130\2\ scan0079 | |
| Date | 31th July 1936 | |
| To Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c.c. HY.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} c.c. W. c.c. Rby. X1113 BY/Cgh.{W Clough}12/EH.31.7.36. Chassis Ignition Cables. With reference to Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}14/Kw.29.7.36., the actual facts are that the high tension cables with the black cambric covering were larger in diameter than our ordinary standard cable, consequently they would not go into the conduits, also they were too large for the sleeves and bakelite fittings, so that in addition to the question of having to make new moulds for the bakelite fittings, the new cables would have to be twisted to a considerable extent which was not advisable when it had been demonstrated to us by the Mackintosh Cable Co. that the breakdown of the rubber covering of our standard cables was entirely due to the fact that the covering was seriously stressed owing to the fact that the cables had to be twisted to get them into the conduits. The matter was discussed with R.{Sir Henry Royce} and Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst. when it was agreed to make larger conduits and to get the cables made to the same overall diameter, but when the larger conduits were eventually instructed for production, the new cables were overlooked, and was not a question of nullifying the standardisation sheet as we do not do that. However, we are now instructing the new cables to be introduced on production as soon as possible. BY/Cgh.{W Clough} | ||