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).
Visit to Lucas to source electrical components for the Meteor and Myth projects.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 168a\4\ img204 | |
| Date | 8th May 1941 | |
| Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/RC.{R. Childs} 6144 Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/RC.{R. Childs}5/ML.8.5.41. I visited Messrs Lucas on April 25th., in order to obtain information from their Technical Sales Dept., on the following items :- 1. Possibility of obtaining a special type of switchbox and relay suitable for the ignition system on the Meteor. 2. Myth electrical equipment. 3. The supply of a switch having the same action as their "dipper" switch, but one which could be mocked up to act as a reversing switch. With regard to (1) - Lucas can supply suitable switches and relays since similar equipment is being supplied to Vauxhall's for their new tank. With regard to (2) - no difficulty is expected in supplying us with all we require for the Myth. This includes the following :- (a) Dynamo - C45YV type. (b) Regulator and cutout to suit. (c) Starter Motor - M418G type. (Bendix drive) (d) Switchbox - as fitted to Rover. (e) Distributor - DK4A-O (vacuum control) (f) "Sports" coil. (We have no information regarding the instrument board layout so have done nothing towards obtaining the various units, such as ammeter, pressure gauges, etc.,) With regard to (3) - Messrs Lucas have promised to look me up a suitable dipper switch. We require this for mocking up as a reversing switch for altering the direction of current flow across the contact points each time the starter is used. The 1941 Chevrolet uses this scheme in order to obtain longer life for the contact points. (A unidirectional current transfers minute particles of metal from one point to the other, gradually forming a pip on one point and a crater on the other.) Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/SD. RmC | ||