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).
Royal Automobile Club certificate of performance detailing a series of tests on a 'New' Daimler engine.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 126\4\ scan0012 | |
| Date | 7th April 1909 | |
| ROYAL AUTOMOBILE CLUB. (I.) Certificate of Performance (No. 118) in a Test of a 38.4 R.A.C. RATING “New” Daimler Engine. March 15th to 28th, 1909. This is to Certify that a “New” Daimler Engine, bore 124 mm., stroke 130 mm., was submitted for the following test by Messrs. the Daimler Motor Company (1904), Limited. 1. That the engine shall be tested on the bench for a period of 132 hours continuous running. 2. That the horse-power given off shall at no time during the test fall below the R.A.C. rating multiplied by 1.3, the piston speed to be 1,000 feet per minute. If a higher piston speed is used the minimum horse-power shall be increased proportionately. 3. That the water temperature of the inlet shall be kept at 50° C. during the test. 4. That upon completion of the bench test, the engine, without any of its vital parts being disturbed, shall be installed in a standard touring car, and run for a distance of 2,000 miles on Brooklands Track, this distance to be completed in not more than sixty hours of running time. 5. That upon completion of the track test, the engine shall be again placed on the bench, and run for five hours under the same conditions as the previous bench test referred to in paragraphs 1, 2, and 3. 6. The Certificate shall show, inter alia — (1.) A chart giving the horse-power readings to be taken not less than once every hour during the endurance test at the declared speed. (2.) A record of repairs or adjustments, if any. The following, however, while they may be recorded on the certificate, will not debar the engine from continuing its test; the time for the necessary repairs being noted, and the motor being called upon to make good such time under the general conditions governing the test: Defects in —Petrol supply. Water circulation. Ignition system. Exhaust piping. Brake system. (3.) The fuel consumption per horse-power on the bench. (4.) The degree of wear shown at the finish, on examination of the parts by the judges. The speed entered for in the Trial was 1,200 revolutions per minute, giving a limit of 50.8 h.p., below which the horse-power was at no time to fall. The engine was observed throughout the Trial, and readings were taken and recorded every half-hour. These records are shown on the chart accompanying this Certificate. Part I.—First Bench Test. | Duration of Test. | Stops incurring Penalty. | Stops not incurring Penalty. | Total Time during which the Load was eased for Brake Adjustments (Engine not stopped). | Average Horse-power Recorded. | Petrol Consumed. | Consumption per Horse-power Hour. | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | d.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} h.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} m.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} 5 14 15 | Number: Nil, Duration: — | Number: 5, Duration: Mins. 116 | Mins. 19 | 54.3 | Galls. 614.75 | Pint. .679, lb. .613 | During this and the final bench test, there were no stoppages caused by any failures other than those of the description mentioned in Paragraph 2 of Clause No. 6 of the conditions of the trial. On completion of the above test, the engine was removed from the bench to the chassis, under observation, without any of the vital parts being disturbed, and the car was fitted with a standard touring body. Part II.—Running Test. | Nature of Mileage. | Mileage. | Average Total Weight of Car and Passengers. | Petrol Consumed. | Distance per Gallon Miles. | Ton-miles per Gallon. | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | Coventry to Weybridge .... | 112 | lbs. 3612.5 | Galls. Not taken | — | — | | Brooklands (track) ...... | 1914.1 | 3332.5 | 85.5 | 22.44 | 33.37 | | Track to lock up ...... | 5 | 3332.5 | — | — | — | | Weybridge to Coventry .... | 112 | 3612.5 | 5.75 | 19.48 | 31.19 | The total mileage run was, therefore, 2143.1. The 1914.1 miles on Brooklands Track were completed in 45 hrs. 42 mins., giving an average speed of 41.88 miles per hour. On returning to Coventry, the engine was replaced upon the test bench without any of its vital parts being disturbed. Part III.—Final Bench Test. | Duration of Test. | Stops incurring Penalty. | Stops not incurring Penalty. | Total Time during which the Load was eased for Brake Adjustments (Engine not stopped). | Average Horse-power Recorded. | Petrol Consumed. | Consumption per Horse-power Hour. | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | h.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} m.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} 5 2 | Number: Nil, Duration: — | Number: Nil, Duration: — | Mins. 1 | 38.96 | Galls. 18.25 | Pint. .749, lb. .677 | Judges' Remarks. The engine was completely dismantled, and no perceptible wear was noticeable on any of the fitted surfaces. The cylinders and pistons were found to be notably clean. The parts of the valves showed no burning or wear. (Signed) FRANCIS OF TECK, Chairman. J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} W. ORDE, Secretary. MERVYN O'GORMAN, Chairman of Technical Committee. (Date) 7th April, 1909. 119, Piccadilly, London. W. — BENCH TESTS OF 22-85 H.P. NEW DAIMLER ENGINE — [Chart showing Horse-Power over 132 hours and 5 hours] HORSE-POWER, 132 HOURS, 5 HRS, READINGS NOTE - DIPS SHOW CLEANING PLUGS, ADJUSTING IGNITION ETC. FOR 1ST. 4TH. 5TH. AND 7TH. RUNS ONLY, TOTAL 116 MINS. | ||