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).
The maintenance of chassis electrical accumulators, focusing on acid gravity and corrosion prevention.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\D\November1919\ Scan18 | |
| Date | 27th November 1919 | |
| To EH. from R.{Sir Henry Royce} Copy to CJ. " " BH. " " EPC. " " DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} " " PN.{Mr Northey} " " H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} " " OY. ORIGINAL X.664 2 RE CHASSIS ELECTRICAL ACCUMULATORS. (FOR GENERAL INFORMATION.) In addition to refilling with water, it is very advisable to watch the specific gravity of the acid, as in my experience the gravity soon gets very low. My impression is that the best way to deal with this is to entirely empty the whole battery, for convenience of which we ought to obtain a long trough lined with lead, or a strong stoneware vessel like a sink, or drinking trough, so that the acid can be corrected for gravity, and the cells refilled, after which they should be securely plugged and thoroughly washed all over to remove any spilled acid, after which the metal parts other than lead, must be coated with vaseline. It should be generally understood that vaseline or other suitable grease does not prevent excellent electrical contact, but dirt and oxide are very detrimental to a good contact, so that I favour all screws, bolts, wire and plugs being thoroughly vaselined where they are likely to become corroded with acid and water. R.{Sir Henry Royce} Also all electric switches and running contacts should be kept lubricated <s>except</s> carbon brushes, and commutators fitted with carbon brushes. Do not use oil or grease liable to become rancid(acid) | ||