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).
Concerns about the suitability of thin plate batteries for the Phantom III and the battery policy for Bentley/25/30 models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 58\4\ Scan256 | |
| Date | 22th April 1936 | |
| HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 76021, To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Thin Plate Batteries. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}9/E22.4.36 Copy to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}Ex. P.III. Referring to E.3/HP.18.4.36 and HY{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer}7/W21.4.36 I was certainly rather concerned and surprised to see the former memo because as long ago as February we were given to understand at a Derby conference by Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} (See Minutes) that considerable improvement in starting the Phantom engine could be effected by the use of thin plate batteries, and at the March meeting we were given to understand that they were being ordered. Nothing was said at that time about any doubts as to their suitability. The only occasion on which I have taken a P.III away and have had to start it from cold, I had very great difficulty andI understood this had been overcome by a combination of alteration to the gear ratio and the use of thinner plate batteries. I suggest that the technical people concerned with this matter should meet as quickly as possible and come to a decision. Regarding the last paragraph of Mx{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} E's memo. re Bentley and 25/30, it certainly seems the right thing to do to keep the battery the same for bothBentley and the 25/30, i.e. any change in policy for one should apply to the other. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||