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).
Two failures of a battery ignition condenser due to a fractured flexible connection.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 165\5\ img139 | |
| Date | 29th April 1935 | |
| Y60512. By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst. c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to Hd.{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst.3/MA.29.4.35. BATTERY IGNITION CONDENSER MADE BY THE TELEGRAPH CONDENSER CO.LTD. TO DRAWING D.53354. We have recently had two failures brought to our notice of the above condensers one on our Laboratory Bench test and the other on Mr.Bernard Hopps Bentley chassis whilst touring in Italy. In the case of the latter Mr. Hopps was extremely annoyed because the car was stranded in the wilds and he had to be towed in by a passing Italian Motorist. The cause of the failure in each case was the fracture of the flexible connection at the bottom of the condenser earthing the condenser in its case. Upon inspection of the condenser we have observed that the T.C.C. are not allowing sufficient loose connecting flex as indicated on your drawing D.53354, and in the case of the two failures the flex was taut against the small spring on the bottom of the condenser case. We suggest that you arrange to examine the standard production condensers to ascertain that there is sufficient loose flex connection and we think the matter ought to be taken up with the T.C.C. to correct future production condensers. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst. | ||