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).
Need for specific instructions on using the magneto to prevent electrical damage on 20 HP cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 51\2\ Scan117 | |
| Date | 6th July 1923 | |
| X4338 To EY. from EFC. {E. Fowler Clarke - Electrical Engineer} c. By {R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} /NHW. c. E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. EP. {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} EFC {E. Fowler Clarke - Electrical Engineer} 3/T6.7.23. X.4338 - 20 H.P. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - USE OF MAGNETO. X3551 Some specific instructions ought to be given, not merely in the Instruction Book for the Owners, but instructions that can be placed in the hands of those who are likely to be moving cars about on the magneto, without a battery on the car. This is very necessary as a case has just been reported to me of damage being done due to a car (recently delivered to London) being moved about without the battery by means of the magneto, the charging switch being placed in the 'on' position. This resulted in the over-voltage, described in our EFC {E. Fowler Clarke - Electrical Engineer} 2/T24.5.23 (see also EFC {E. Fowler Clarke - Electrical Engineer} 2/T5.6.23), with the consequent damage to the cutout, volt coil, ballast resistance and ignition coil. Instructions have already been given on p.17 of the 20 H.P. Instruction Book for running on the magneto, in which one is told to remove the battery ignition fuse. This, however, had not been done. There is also a warning on p.33 against the lighting of lamps or operation of any other part of the electrical system direct from the dynamo with the battery intentionally or unintentionally disconnected. It is realised, however, that those reponsible for moving the car could probably not be blamed for not knowing of these instructions, hence the necessity of other suitable instructions which could definitely be placed in | ||