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).
Recurring starter motor failures during chassis testing and the urgency of resolving the issue.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 61b\3\ scan0229 | |
| Date | 19th March 1931 | |
| X6079 Sft.{Mr Swift} for Mr. Brock. cr.{Mr Cra???ster / Mr Chichester} By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. EFC.✓ Mxl/BH19.3.31. Left Hand Ph.II - Starter Motor. With reference to the recent failures of starter motors on chassis on test, which we have conclusively demonstrated to be due to the starter motor unit. A sample motor which had failed on several chassis and was handed to EFC has been returned and fitted to a chassis and up to the moment of writing is functioning satisfactorily. The point I am concerned about is that these troubles have developed during our comparatively short period of test. Starter motors which have satisfactorily passed the unit and dynamometer test have subsequently failed either on the first or second road test. It is very disconcerting that the starter motors which have failed on chassis have been returned to you and EFC and have been found to pass the standard test laid down. We must face the fact that they do not function on chassis. We have had about 8 similar cases of failure which is a big percentage of our present output. The main object of this note is to report that the trouble has apparently been overcome on one bad case and to bring forward for your careful consideration that we are despatching chassis to U.S.A. which may give trouble in service. It is a matter of very great importance that we should do anything which lies in our power to ensure that failures will not occur on these chassis in service. Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} | ||