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).
Dynamo and speedometer drive issues, and future seating proportions for the 'Buzzard' and 'Vulture' models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 183\M22\ img099 | |
| Date | 17th July 1920 | |
| To C.J. from R.{Sir Henry Royce} -3- Contd. X.576 X.1809 X.294 X.3735 (11) DYNAMO AND SPEEDOMETER DRIVES (RE PN{Mr Northey}'S AND 1 KX) Speedometer drives make a decided noise and dynamos may, through mechanical wear of bearing, become electro-mechanically noisy. Dynamo belts are decidedly awkward to take up. Extra clearance should be given for the swing of the dynamo so that the belt can be put on again after taking out link. The belts should be of whittle pattern made entirely of short links, if possible. HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} reports these to give smoother drive. X.295 The Smith dynamo appears decidedly better for giving a charge at slow speeds. I have not yet seen a machine to examine the design and workmanship, but if this is good and the machine is silent, we ought to get some progress at adopting it. The general arrangement of the wiring with our own switch box and distributing board makes under the bonnet look decidedly neater. A few points require attention, when the whole should be simpler and better than present arrangement. X.4168 Please send me a distributing and instrument board for criticism. It is absolutely necessary for these accessories to be as reliable as the rest of the chassis, and at present this is not so. I have had personal experience with the Lucas plant on 1 KX, which is very disappointing. I must know from Mr. Clark what hope we have got of Lucas improving their dynamos, and other parts. P.N. was here, and also his dynamo refused to do anything, the cause at the time was not ascertained. (12) FUTURE SEATING PROPORTIONS. X.3440 X.4153 X.3735 X.3522 I have collected some information and the drawing mentioned early in this memo should be printed and sent to each member receiving a copy. This shews my impression of the best compromise we can make re "D" steering, windscreen, instrument board, seating etc. This is what I had arranged for in the new chassis with windscreen and some dimensions from PN{Mr Northey}'s open trials car. I shall be pleased if you will adopt (in altering 6 KX) these particulars as exactly as possible, as it will prove the suggested proportions for the "Buzzard" and "Vulture" already sent to Derby. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||