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).
Preliminary test report on a Smith Motor Type clock, which is not recommended for fitment due to reliability issues.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 164\1\ img186 | |
| Date | 8th April 1938 | |
| File To By C. to By/RD. 602-6. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/RC.{R. Childs}16/JH.8.4.38. Attached is a report of a preliminary test carried out on the Smith Motor Type clock. This type has the advantage of (1) Simplicity of construction which should tend to greater reliability. (2) Takes little current. (3) Reduction in cost. Against this we have the disadvantage that should the electrical supply be interrupted even momentary the clock would stop and a movement of the hands is necessary for a restart. One of the three clocks submitted for test failed to start under these conditions. The construction also incorporates a light wiping contact which is subjected to slight sparking; this may be a source of future failures, due to bad contact. We have returned the faulty clock to the makers and await their comments. Until we have had some further running experience with this type of clock, we cannot recommend it for fitment to the R.R. car. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/RC.{R. Childs} | ||