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).
The danger of engine fire from a low tension wire coming adrift and igniting petrol from a flooding carburetter.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 168b\2\ img030 | |
| Date | 8th March 1920 | |
| Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} from EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to Rn.{Mr Robinson} c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Ck.{Mr Clark} X.802. EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}1/F8.3.20. X.3129. X.1413. RE. DANGER OF FIRE TO THE ENGINE. X.2778b. X.802. We have had experience of an engine catching fire, the cause of which was due to the low tension wire coming adrift from the switch at the bottom of the steering columm and in so doing, causing a spark which ignited the petrol which happened to be flooding from the carburetter. We have not experienced this with the old trembler ignition. It certainly appears that with the present ignition, a spark which takes place under this condition is stronger. I feel that a similar occurrence may happen with our cars when in the hands of customers and I bring this point forward, therefore, for you to consider some better scheme of protection being arranged to entirely avoid this. Although I quite agree that the simultaneous occurrence of the wire coming adrift and petrol leaking may not happen very often, there is a possibility of this, and I recommend that some protection should be made so that the question of fire is made impossible. I should also be glad if you would again consider my complaint that with the 6/30's wire which is being used for the lead connecting to the switch has broken on one or two occasions. EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} 0887 10 4/19 500 S & K (L.302) T S/H H | ||