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).
Recommendation against fitting an experimental green lamp battery indicator to the 'SS' car, advocating for existing standard equipment.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\T\November1928\ Scan107 | |
| Date | 27th December 1928 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} EFC.✓ ORIGINAL HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}3/LG27.12.28. 'SS{S. Smith}' GENERALLY. X 4040 You have already expressed agreement that anything experimental should be left off the SS.{S. Smith} car in order to reduce the difficulties in getting this car into production quickly. We strongly recommend that the green lamp scheme for shewing the condition of the battery should not be rushed through on the first SS.{S. Smith} cars. This scheme is not an essential part of the SS.{S. Smith} - the present standard Phantom generator, switch box and maxi distribution board can be used. I may have been unfortunate on cars with the green lamps, but on two occasions when I have relied on the green lamp I have finished up with not sufficient charge in the battery to start the engine. In our opinion we think this is far more serious than any of the advantages we are likely to obtain. The position as regards batteries now-a-days is very good; we have remarkably few complaints from customers as regards batteries and we know hundreds of cases where batteries are giving satisfaction after 5 years service. There is no urgent necessity why the SS.{S. Smith} car should be saddled with this experimental electrical equipment. On the whole the present Phantom equipment is giving very good service and therefore we recommend contd :- | ||