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).
Summary of troubles experienced with Watford Magnetos, detailing failures in wiring, distributors, and mechanical components.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\P\October1926-November1926\ Scan095 | |
| Date | 9th November 1926 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} c. to BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to RG.{Mr Rowledge} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} ORIGINAL Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn{Mr Robinson}2/LG9.11.26. WATFORD MAGNETOS. XJ875 The following is a summary of the troubles we have experienced with these magnetos so far :- (1) Fixing of H.T. wires to the distributor case. We understand that the method employed on these magnetos has been standardised by the Air Board. However, we do not consider that it shows very much prospect of being successful however well carried out. In the particular case in question, the wires rely upon the strength of the outside casing to hold the core in contact with the segments of the distributor. The outer casing invariably frays where the wires join the magneto due to flexion when the instruments are moved, as they frequently are, on test, and no proper contact is made in the distributor. The matter has been taken up with Messrs. North and the Patentee of the device. (2) Failure of distributors. Three out of four of the distributor mouldings which have been running have broken down due to cracks occurring between the segments. (3) Make and break failure. We have experienced a case of a platinum point on the rocker arm working loose and putting the magneto out of action. Additionally, on the machines we have, the lining up of the platinum points is such that if adjustment has to be made, the platinum will have to be re-bedded. We are taking this point up with the makers. (4) Interchangeability. We find that if we try to interchange the distrib-utors, in a number of cases, the rotors foul the segments. Possibly this trouble will merely be confined to the first magnetos delivered. (5) Contact breaker cover. We think the contact breaker cover could be made more oil-tight. Contd . | ||