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).
Faulty condition of wires in conduits after service use on a 20-HP trials car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 45\3\ Scan220 | |
| Date | 9th October 1923 | |
| 14075 C.E.F.C. c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} C.E.W-d.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}5/H9.10.23. 20-HP. - Faulty Condition of Wires in conduits after service use. I am returning to you three low tension wires taken out of the conduits of Chassis 53-S-6, which has been used as a Sales Department Trials car, and run about 2,000 miles since the car was new. In fixing the engine damping device, we were obliged to take off the tube which is used for containing the wires leading to the head lamp, side lamp and dynamo, and we are surprised to find the condition of these wires. The question of water getting into these conduits was a point of objection raised when this scheme was first mooted, and I am anxious that the condition of the three wires returned to you should be carefully studied. Possibly you will arrange for EFC. to test the insulation of them as from a customer's point of view the condition is awful and very disheartening, and I feel also if this case were put to the cable people, they would not accept responsibility. I would point out that when these wires were removed we found they were saturated with water.(paraffin and petrol) I shall be glad if you will let me have some report as to what action you think should be taken, if any, in regard to this conduit scheme. Possibly you may consider this is an exception, but it should be realised that the car has been run by our own demonstration drivers. The point might, however, be confirmed, by inspecting some of our Experimental cars, and possibly you may wish to take some action not only as regards the future, but retrospectively, especially if EFC. confirms that the insulation of these cables is in a precarious condition. EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} | ||