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).
Magneto failures on the 40/50 model, a faulty brush holder, and the need for spare parts and communication with the customer.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 46\3\ Scan261 | |
| Date | 2nd November 1923 | |
| X. 418/c BY: C. Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} C. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} C. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} S. BT.{Capt. J. S. Burt - Engineer} C. B. BP. EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}4/Hl2.11.23. X. 418/c re. MAGNETO FAILURES. Further to Hm{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs}'s report on the above that the magneto failed on the 10,000 mile 40/50 production test. We have today received a brush holder returned to us as having failed in service on 5-NK car. We have tested this brush holder and found it faulty, the insulation having broken down, there being a connection between the centre brush and the supporting bracket. We had a similar one breake down about three months ago, but apart from this, we do not know of any other experience. It certainly appears, however that we are likely to have trouble in this respect with cars in customers hands. I shall be glad to know what action is being taken to deal with these complaints, what is being done to avoid ~~these~~ recurring in the future, and whether anything is to be done to cars we are now turning out, and what action should be taken in this respect retrospectively. (handwritten in margin: this) We certainly feel that we should at once obtain spare (either of the improved type, or if impossible the existing type) which we can send to our Depots, so that they can deal with these possible complaints, as the failure of the magneto may mean an involuntary stop on the road, as in several 40/50 cars the battery ignition is never bothered with, and at a critical time may be found not to be working at all. Can you please arrange for the attached faulty brush holder to be replaced by the makers, so that we can keep our stocks in order. We are also anxious to communicate with the customer as to the question of responsibility and who pays. Will BP. please note that we cannot reply further to his memo D/EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}6/CW8.11.23 until we have a reply to the above. EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} | ||