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).
Ongoing failures with Lucas-supplied cut-outs and switchboxes, including coil failures and corrosion issues.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 46\3\ Scan225 | |
| Date | 17th September 1928 | |
| X3740G BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} C. to EFC. C. to WD.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}6/F17.9.28 RECEIVED SEP 17 1928 A.T. X3749 X3770 RE. FAILURE OF LUCAS CUT-OUTS. We still continue to have to return to the works for replacement, Lucas switchboxes complete, owing to failures of the cut-out. Apart from the cut-out switch itself giving trouble, we have also had trouble with the coils failing, our tests showing that there is no circuit through the shunt coil. We shall be glad if you will again take the matter up with the makers, especially pointing out to them the failure of the coil itself, as we are now also receiving complaints of this failure from our Depots. We yesterday returned to the works (Miss Austin) a switch box complete in which the failure appears to be due to the breakage of the shunt coil, and we have asked for this to be specially brought to your attention. Normally, we do not find the coil itself gets very hot unless it is due to the cut-out failing. We have also been very cautious in using the correct fuse for thus shunt circuit, and we do not feel that the failure of the coil is due to burning out, but rather to some faulty construction. We should also like you to point out to Messrs. Lucas that the switchboxes are not water-proof and after a car has been in service for some time, we find that a certain amount of rust and corrosion has taken place, especially on the terminals where steel screws and nuts are used. Could not brass nuts and screws only be used? EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} | ||