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).
Proposal to replace the standard magneto ignition with a battery ignition system on the 40/50 HP chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 32\5\ Scan099 | |
| Date | 25th January 1932 | |
| X6096 To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst. c. EY. c. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst.4/AD25.1.32. X6064 MAGNETO IGNITION ON 40/50 HP. CHASSIS. About a year ago it was decided with E's approval that the magneto on the F.2. chassis should be dropped in favour of a dual battery ignition system. The present standard Watford magneto, owing to its large range of advance and retard, is prone to fire the engine backwards when starting up in certain conditions as fully described at the time in our reports. The use of battery ignition would have several advantages as follows :- (a) Deletion of the complicated and expensive inter-connected oil relay system of advance and retard. (b) Better scope for range of advance and retard, the spark being the same intensity at any position of the lever. (c) No possibility of back firing on starting up due to ignition. (d) Better synchronisation of the two ignitions. Owing to the fact that we are proposing to adopt a universal type battery in order to facilitate servicing throughout the world, our battery troubles should be negligible especially in view of the fact that we are maintaining the same life and reliability of this unit. The cost of our oil relay system of automatic advance is approximately £12 which, with the cost of the magneto (approx. £8) would mean £20 saving from which the cost of an additional battery ignition distributor and coil would have to be subtracted (approx. £3.6.0d.) We should be glad if something could be done with regard to this so that we can inform the Order Office well beforehand so that further supplies of Watford magnetos shall not be ordered. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst. | ||