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).
Review of electric lighting and starting systems from various manufacturers.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 61\2\ scan0208 | |
| Date | 9th November 1923 | |
| 988 Electric Lighting and Starting Systems. The economical employment of the available current generated, permits of smaller and lighter dynamos and batteries being used without in the least impairing the effectiveness of the installation. Undeniably this device offers distinct and substantial advantages. BROLT. (256) An enviable reputation in connection with lighting and starting sets has long been enjoyed by Brolt, Ltd. Electrically their designs attain a high efficiency, and are further distinguished by a desirable mechanical robustness. These qualities have, it would seem, been eminently retained in the new type of dynamotor which they have produced. This is a type of combined machine, offering advantages in respect of simplicity and noiselessness of operation, which appears to be coming into greater and greater favour for cars up to and including about 12 h.p. In this particular case the motor-generator is of a cylindrical form suitable for spigotting into the timing case of the engine, and designed to be driven at a gear ratio of from 2 to 2½ to 1, according to the characteristics of the engine. It may be driven either by chain or by skew gear, and it is worthy of note that very special precautions have been taken to ensure that no hot oil can penetrate to the armature. As a generator it has an output of 10 amperes at 12 volts, which is attained at a low speed of rotation, and should be adequate for the most elaborate small car lighting installation, whilst as a starter it is claimed to deliver an exceptionally high torque, and to be capable of dealing easily with cold and refractory engines. This machine is also made with a combination of ignition head. In addition to this new model, other types of starting and generating machines are made, notably a very useful dynamo designed to be driven at engine speed. This is made either with central or eccentric armature mounting, so as to facilitate its attachment to the engine. The range of starters, furnished with inboard or out-board Bendix pinion engagement, is also constructed to suit a variety of fixing methods, such as cradle or flange. C.A.V. (442) A conspicuously wide range of purposes is covered by the varied examples of electrical work set out by C. A.{Mr Adams} Vandervell and Co., Ltd. In view of the satisfactory service that has been rendered by these designs during the past seasons, it is not surprising to find that changes and improvements have been confined to minor details. The dynamos, which are of the self-regulating pattern, exploiting a patented and well-proved method of control, can be used either with the normal cut-out device for automatic disconnection from the battery circuit, or with the over-running free wheel arrangement. THE AUTOCAR, November 9th, 1923. The C.A.V. S type circular starting motor is the latest pattern introduced. which gives audible warning of current wastage. The cylindrical types of generator are particularly neat, and one notices with appreciation, that the accessibility of all parts, particularly the brush gear, has been well studied. These are made in diameters from 3½in. to 5in., and the same dimensions also apply to the equivalent starters. The latter engage the flywheel on the Bendix pinion principle, and, when the popular flange fitting is used, are so arranged as to allow the pinion to be adjusted, as to meshing, with great nicety. The wiring may be either “earth return” or double-pole insulated, and circuits of both twelve or six volts are arranged for. Amongst the smaller C.A.V. specialities mention may be made of the handy dimmer switch. This forms a flush fitting in the dashboard and is operated by the simple plunger motion of a convenient knob. A considerable variety of main switchboards is available, including a very interesting and well-designed new all-metal model intended more particularly for light cars. DELCO-REMY. (273) Probably the most interesting item of the well-known Delco-Remy, Ltd., productions which, in the form of standard practice on so many Transatlantic cars, is already familiar to British users, is the combined dynamo and starter motor. In this a serious attempt has been made to overcome some of the objections which are otherwise inherent in this type of machine. The armature is provided with two separate windings, each of which has its appropriate commutator. One end of the armature is driven from the timing pinions with a suitable gear ratio and in its turn drives the contact breaker and distributer (fitted with automatic advance and retard mechanism of the ignition head). The other end, disconnected from the former by a reliable form of free-wheel clutch, operates a train of gears which can, upon the driver pressing a pedal, be slid into mesh with the flywheel rack. The same motion brings a brush into contact with the starting motor armature and thus completes the circuit with the minimum length of heavy insulated cable. On pressing the ignition switch the armature automatically starts to motorise, and this puts the sliding gears into readiness for engagement. The control of the output when the machine operates as a dynamo is effected on the third brush principle. The employment of two distinct gear ratios, according to whether the armature is running as a generator or as a motor, saves a great deal of mechanical stress and enables a very high efficiency to be attained in both respects. The Delco switchboards are particularly ingeniously contrived, one noticeable feature being that they do not contain an ammeter. This instrument is installed separately, so that it may be used to balance an oil gauge or something of similar character. No fuse is provided; instead there is installed an alternative which has certain important advantages of its own. A spring-loaded blade, with a small armature at the end, is so mounted in relation to a solenoid winding that it makes unbroken contact on suitable terminals so long as a normal volume of current is passing. If the value of this current should become excessive, a small plunger rises and causes contact to be broken, and the effect of this is that a loud buzz comes from the switchboard and continues until the fault in the circuit is ascertained and rectified. This arrangement, it will be seen, at once indicates to the operator the correctness of his diagnosis of the fault. The lamps are controlled by a semi-rotary lever switch, which can be locked in any position, and it is almost unnecessary to add that the switchboard is a remarkably fine example of production precision work. DUCELLIER. (49) The electrical equipment bearing this well-established and well-known name is of very high class, and although in most respects it follows conventional lines, it exhibits originality in many details. It is to be seen on D.F.P. cars amongst others. A case in point is afforded by the dynamos, of a wide variety of patterns. These are furnished with an armature shaft which passes through both end plates, thus rendering direction of rotation a matter of little moment, and at the same time making them particularly suitable for tandem drive with the magneto. It is noticeable that the brushes, of which there are three (the third controlling a regulator circuit in the field coils), are carried in spring ca [Image Captions] The Brolt combined dynamotor, starter motor, and ignition head. The B.L.I.C. circular switchboard. Back view of a new type of Delco switchboard. F 50 | ||