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).
Fluctuating lights caused by an erratic voltage regulator unit.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 168a\3\ img277 | |
| Date | 12th February 1936 | |
| RIC/JP. copy. 12th Feb. 1936. To: MR. W.S. VERRELLS. MANAGING DIRECTOR. From: MR. R.I. COWLEY. CAR RADIO ENGINEER. RE: 40/50 Rolls-Royce electrical equipment. In view of the visible fluctuation of the lights on this car when the engine is running we have carefully tested the charging equipment and battery, and have to report that the battery is in good condition, as also is the dynamo. The fluctuation is being caused by the erratic operation of the voltage regulator unit which controls the rate at which the battery is charged, and is intended to compensate for varying states of charge in the battery. This unit should control the dynamo charge in such a way that when started up from cold with the battery semi-charged, the rate should be steady but high, say, 15 to 18 amps, the rate slowly decreasing over a period of hours as the battery voltage comes up. The condition of the regulator at the moment is such that its control is intermittent, part of the time it works satisfactorily, and then for no apparent reason sticks, with the result that the charge fluctuates rapidly from as much as -10 to +20 when the lights are on. I suggest that the only satisfactory cure would be for the regulator unit to be charged by Rolls-Royce. This is not an unusual trouble with the Rolls-Royce regulators. Mr. Cole has had similar trouble with the one on his Bentley, and we have noticed it on a number of the cars which we have had in for fitting. It is therefore to be anticipated that Rolls-Royce may say that in their opinion it is satisfactory, particularly if when they examine it, it is temporarily working properly. Alternatively, they may attribute the trouble to the fitting of radio, several manufacturers habitually blame the fitting of radio for all manner of troubles with | ||