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).
Adoption of a Lucas single contact regulator over the C.A.V. type for better performance and cost reduction.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 166\7\ img086 | |
| Date | 9th November 1937 | |
| Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Childs See me Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} E/Wst.2/R.M.9.11.37. Please note H With reference to Hd{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy}/SB.{Mr Bull/Mr Bannister}20/HR.5.11.37, it would be a mistake to delete the armature fuse from our existing installation where the C.A.V. voltage regulator is used, as if this regulator sticks on contact an excessive charge would be put into the battery, damaging the same and causing a "burn out" of the dynamo armature windings. With the Lucas type LR{Mr Ellor}7T. regulator we were experimenting with, sticking of the regulator contacts could not occur and the armature fuse could then be dispensed with. In fact, we contemplated not only deleting the armature fuse but also the field fuse which is also redundant if the regulator contacts do not stick. The Lucas regulator employs Tungsten points which never weld together; rather they tend to oxidize and cause bad contact. None of the installations on all modern cars using single contact regulators of the Lucas type employ armature or field fuses. I think we ought to urge the adoption of the single contact regulator, as it would show an appreciable reduction in cost and would give us better all round performance than the C.A.V. we now use. E/WHH. | ||