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).
Performance comparison of a Nickel-Iron (Ni-Fe) alkaline battery versus a standard acid battery, noting issues with cold starting.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 50\2\ Scan089 | |
| Date | 19th March 1921 | |
| To R. {Sir Henry Royce} & E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} from EFC. {E. Fowler Clarke - Electrical Engineer} c. to CJ. & PN. {Mr Northey} c. to Ds. & EP. {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to Hy. {Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} & Bn. {W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} c. to EWT. for R.R.Inc. X.4298 X. 3717 - Ni-Fe BATTERY. X. 4298 We have come to the conclusion that the Alkaline battery as at present made is unsatisfactory for the car owing to the much reduced vigour, due to increased internal resistance and polarisation effects, of starting the engine cold as compared with the acid battery. For instance, the engine was turned at 40 to 45 revs., after the car had been left out all night in November last, by the Chloride & BXE4 battery, the amperes being 120, volts 10.5, (N.B. It was not a very cold morning), whereas we are informed that this Ni-Fe battery under the same circumstances only turns the engine at 20 revs. When, however, the car is warm, the engine seems to be quite readily started by the Alkaline battery, as I have myself experienced. On lighting and ignition, without starting, one feels that the electrical characteristics might be O.K. The ampere-hour capacities observed were about the same as for the acid batteries. Curves of continuous and intermittent high rate discharges of this battery were shown in comparison with others on our sheets F. {Mr Friese} & G. {Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} of such discharge tests of batteries, which illustrate admirably the characteristic difference. The weight of this battery is 20 lbs. more than the standard Exide and costs more than three times as much. EFC. {E. Fowler Clarke - Electrical Engineer} | ||