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).
Complaints with the standard Watford instrument clock and the testing of alternative electric clocks.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 164\1\ img041 | |
| Date | 28th September 1931 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst. c. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. Ds. EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} X6022 X6026 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst.4/AD28.9.31. INSTRUMENT BOARD CLOCKS. A certain amount of complainthas been registered against the present standard Watford clock in that :- (a) The position of the knurled winding knob is such that it is inaccessible when in position on the car. (b) It is not inherently self-starting. (c) It is a relatively expensive time piece in view of the troubles experienced with it. Messrs. North & Sons have been approached in regard to these complains and so as to make the clock self-starting their Mr. Allen has produced a small spring trigger which fits in the centre of the winding knob and which is depressed in order to start the clock after winding up. The trigger simply flicks the balance wheel when depressed. This scheme, although ingenious, is rather crude and certainly a compromise over what we consider a fault in design. There is also the possibility of instrument board vibration affecting the long spring trigger such that it would vibrate freely and foul the balance wheel when in motion. A more promising time piece for our cars is the electric clock. We have good samples of these clocks in the Boyce electric clock as fitted to Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}'s car and on the 40/50 car 25-EX. A similar clock is also being fitted to 18-GIV for test. These electric clocks have been on test on the bench for some time and in conjunction with the makers we have developed this type of clock so that it is now very satisfactory. Troubles were experienced earlier on but the latest samples we have now had on test for a considerable length of time have given no trouble at all and required no attention other than occasional regulation of the hands. Messrs. Norths are also producing an electric clock but we have not yet received a sample for test. | ||