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).
Ignition failure caused by an earthing wire shorting against metal.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 130\2\ scan0085 | |
| Date | 10th August 1936 guessed | |
| X113 To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} c. to WsL. Cricklewood. Ignition Failure due to earthing wire fitted to main Lead. Failures are occuring which completely cutsout the ignition due to the fitting of an earth braiding wire on the lead from the coil to the distributor. We are having failures with the shorting of this wire if it touches any metal, without adding to the trouble by the fitting of the braiding. It is being fitted chiefly by Hoopers to stop slight interference to the distributor. The sets that it has been fitted are Philco and Phillips. I took the one fitted to Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}'s. 25 HP off and he has not complained of interference. The interference on other cars has been practically wiped out by setting the rotor blade closer to the studs so that there is less splash as the current is picked up to the relative cylinders. I am sending a sample braided wire taken off Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}'s car. (this has not failed). A sample of a lead wire which had burnt through and shorting when it was touching the metal i.e. (too long). A sample of ignition wire that Bentley's have used during there existence, which on their cars has given no trouble. HB{C. E. Harcombe}/C.W.Hancock. | ||