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).
Extract discussing the design and sourcing for battery ignition, lighting systems, and battery placement.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 61\2\ scan0114 | |
| Date | 26th April 1917 | |
| R.R. 235A (500 T) (S.D. 408. 26-4-17.) Bm. 2/156/13. X. 3374 Extract from E1/G3C119. (4) BATTERY IGNITION. X. 3129. The cam for the non-trembler battery ignition should be made to give a simple harmonic movement, and the periods of make and break should be of equal length. This instruction supersedes R7/G181218 (5)page. It is expected that the coil cam be made quick enough, if not already so, at this length of make for the highest engine speeds required. It should be made certain that the high tension rotor contact on the distributor is late, and the tail sufficiently long to avoid the danger of firing the engine in the reverse direction of rotation. The ignition switch should be on the instrument board, and a Klaxon on the steering wheel, in the case of the new models with change speed gear in the centre of the car. Regarding the moulding work to be done for R.R. battery ignition parts made at the Works, someone ought to go to the Silvertown Company to make the necessary arrangements for obtaining supplies of moulds. (5) LIGHTING SYSTEM X.3374 X.3231. X.1402 The most desirable system of lighting to adopt is the type having constant voltage regulation. It is not possible to obtain this in England, it is understood at the present time, for the 40/50 chassis, and unfortunately the Bijur set is only six volts. Mr. Royce will be quite willing to fit a 12 volt Bijur lighting set to the car, and suggests that we endeavour to obtain 12 volt constant voltage regulators, and perhaps make our own dynamos, which scheme could probably be carried out with very little delay. (6) STARTING AND LIGHTING BATTERY. X.979. X.664. Mr. Royce will write to the Tudor people to see if they can make a battery equal to the Willard, but with non-flam celluloid cases. Regarding the position of this battery, there seems to be only one possible alternative to the footboard position, and that is, underneath the front seats. This latter position will not work, however, unless the battery is made to a specially flat shape. Mr. Royce considers that for English practice, the batteries should undoubtedly be on the Bootboard. | ||