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).
Merits of a battery-only ignition system over a magneto reserve for cars.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 61b\4\ scan0174 | |
Date | 17th January 1931 | |
X6105 E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} } FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} } (At Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence) c. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Rg.{Mr Rowledge} R2/M17.1.31. X.6098. Re. CAR WORK. X.6105. Mr.Hives points out that our magneto reserve is not of the value we imagined because we cannot start the engine easily enough. It is not quite so bad as one might conclude by his memo. on the subject because it is - (1) Useful if something is wrong but the car is still running or the starter will/work (i.e. something wrong on the ignition circuit and a fuse will blow). (2) Investigating a cause of poor running of the engine - i.e. is it ignition or carburation. However, it is perhaps not appreciated by the buyers (although it has still some advantages and no disadvantages except cost and complication). It would suit our manufacturing policy better to have only battery ignition. We could then have no magneto to buy and we could make three sets of battery ignition all alike instead of two of somewhat different pattern. Will E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} kindly get out a scheme for the double battery on P.2. It would be a great convenience and save trouble with spares if this could be put on the first L.H. to be delivered. It would, in fact, be worth some scr R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||