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).
Review from 'The Autocar' magazine on electric lighting and starting systems from Ducellier, Lucas, M.C.L., Miller, and P. & H.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 61\2\ scan0209 | |
| Date | 9th November 1923 | |
| THE AUTOCAR, November 9th, 1923. 989 Electric Lighting and Starting Systems which lie flush with the circumference of the generator carcase, and are thus immediately removable when required. Another important small point is that a protective fuse is mounted in the dynamo, so that in the event of the battery becoming accidentally disconnected whilst the former is generating no harm can be done to the armature or field magnet windings. The separate unit Ducellier starter-motors, suitable for various engine sizes, are furnished with Bendix pinion engagement and are capable of being mounted in many different ways, according to the form of their end-plates. A particularly interesting machine is the new starter-dynamo, an exceedingly well constructed single unit. This, in common with the separate unit dynamo, is provided with an automatic cut-out, whilst for starting purposes a relay switch is available, which avoids the use of much heavy, and ent-wasting wiring. The standard switchboard is of attractive appearance, and has an all-metal exterior. At its top is a combined volt and ammeter—the latter showing both charge and discharge (the two controlled by a pushbutton)—and at the bottom is a single-lever switch operating the various lamp circuits. In this case the starter switch is separate, but there are other models in which it is embodied in the switchboard itself. The Ducellier lamps cover, it need hardly be said, a very large range of types, and are notable for their neatness of attachment, and graceful and elegant finish. LUCAS. (437) The technical eye cannot fail to be impressed and pleased with the admirable attention to detail, a particularly neat piece of work. It contains an ammeter reading charge and discharge rates to zero, a two-pin plug socket for an inspection or dash lamp, the main fuse in the dynamo shunt circuit, the automatic cut-out, and two semi-rotary lever switches controlling, on the one side, the dynamo and magneto circuits, and, on the other, the lamp circuits. The range of lamps is all that could be desired in point of solidity, optical efficiency, and finish. In one type of head lamp, designed to be attached to the customary single-post fixture, a universal joint is provided to enable the lamp to be accurately adjusted so as to throw its beam exactly in the direction wanted. This principle is also used in connection with a special double-purpose lamp designed for attachment to the front wings of a light car. The focusing of the bulb is carried out very adequately, with a series of grooves or catches. Still another point which appeals to the experienced motorist is the admirable design of the solid battery terminals, which, though easy to detach, are normally held in absolute security. The Lucas starter motor with end cover removed. M.C.L. (135) The electrical installation on two of the Loyd-Lord cars is the M.C.L. system, and the name of Mr. A.{Mr Adams} H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} Midgley, one of the pioneers of car electric installation design which is associated with the Midgley Car Lighting Co.'s products, is in itself a sufficient guarantee that the items which form this very comprehensive starting and lighting set are thoroughly practical and well thought out. In point of fact they are also extremely ingenious. In the dynamo, for instance, which is available in a number of different models suitable for a variety of attachments, and with and without an ignition head, an arrangement of regulator brushes, feeding from field magnets, is adopted, which serves the purpose of ensuring that whilst the current output remains constant under all conditions of engine speed there is no liability for sparking to take place. In short, the regulation does not demand any distortion of the magnetic field, but depends upon an inherent control of the voltage in the field windings. In order to ensure that the batteries are not overcharged when they are “full,” and undercharged when they are nearly exhausted, a special form of controller is employed, which is incorporated with the mechanism of the simple automatic cut-out. The action of this controller is to insert resistance in series with the field winding of the dynamo when the battery is fully charged, after which the generator merely delivers a “soaking” current, until, for example, the lamps are switched on, when full output is once more automatically delivered. By this means the condition of the battery is fully and at all times taken care of. In the starter motor another striking novelty—but a well-proved idea—is found in the fact that the ordinary form of starter switch is eliminated. Instead the starter is brought into action by pulling a milled-headed stud set in the switchboard. This connects with the brush gear of the motor through a Bowden cable, so that the brushes themselves act as the switch contacts. The result is that efficiency is gained, current is saved, and a great length of heavy and complicated wiring is avoided. Even in the junction box originality of a very practical sort is found. Here, instead of innumerable bolts and nuts being used, there is nothing but a series of spring contacts, which cannot possibly fail owing to vibration. The starter motors are of the cylindrical type, constructed for in-board or out-board drive, and are equipped with the Bendix pinion method of engagement. Interior of the M.C.L. output and voltage controller. MILLER. (428) All details of electrical equipment, into which a number of practical minor improvements have been introduced, are shown by H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} Miller and Co., Ltd. The dynamos are of the conventional self-regulating type, have a cylindrical form of carcase and are available for mounting either by means of the spigot and flange, or with the saddle and strap fixing. They are made to provide a variety of outputs from 15 amps. at 6 volts to 8 amps. at 12 volts, and a special type is manufactured for light car application. The Miller starters, made in 4in. and 3½in. diameters, exploit the Bendix pinion drive, and appear to be well and robustly constructed. As might be expected from a firm that has been associated with the illumination of cars and cycles from the very earliest days, the lamps of their manufacture form a very prominent display. Attention, one notes, has been devoted to simplifying the externals without in the least undermining the accessibility of both bulb and reflector. The new type of side lamp is particularly neat. The standard form of switchboard is arranged to fit flush in the facia, whence, by undoing a couple of screws, the outer plate can be removed, offering easy access to the internal connections. The lamps are controlled by three simple tumbler switches above which is fitted a centre-zero dead beat ammeter. Plugs are provided for an inspection lamp, and an easily replaceable main fuse is installed. The automatic cut-out controlling the dynamo-battery circuit is a separate unit contained within a dust-proof but quickly removable casing. P. & H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} (400) In the dynamos of Powell & Hanmer, Ltd., whereof a variety of designs suitable for all sizes of car are manufactured, the necessary constant output is secured by a simple mechanical means which particularly lends itself to belt drive. The F 55 | ||