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).
Complaints and failures of 20-HP K.L.G. ignition plugs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 58\3\ Scan056 | |
| Date | 31th January 1924 | |
| X19182 Wdsy. C.Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}1/H31.1.24. re. 20-HP. K.L.G. IGNITION PLUGS. Replying to your Wd{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead}5/NJ29.1.24, it would appear according to the letter from the Robinhood Engineering Works Ltd. that their Mr. Noel van Raalte did not convey to them the actual facts of the case. The specific complaint on the Plugs which Mr. van Raalte took back with him, and which we demonstrated in his presence did take place was not an external surface leak but an internal leakage between the central electrode and the body of the plug, the leakage passing between the internal mica wrapping and the outside washer. We trust therefore that he will explain that the failure was a real one, and has caused trouble with our cars in service. The very fact of them reporting that the plugs are now O.K. only confirms the fact that the plugs are unsatisfactory, owing to the intermittent failures which customers cannot handle, but which at the same time cause them a consider able amount of dissatisfaction. This feature is explained fully in our EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}8/H14.1.24. Apart from this, we would like to know what the Robinhood Engineering Co. have to say to the several complaints we are receiving of ignition trouble when starting up, which customers point out is due to moisture on the ignition plugs, and that they have to take out the plugs and dry same before they can obtain satisfactory running, and on two or three occasions customers have reported that the trouble has been overcome by using Lodge Plugs. This feature was also reported in our EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}4/H24.1.24, copy of which we attach herewith. Again, they point out that the plugs referred to were manufactured in October 1922. Is there any difference in design or manufacture of the K.{Mr Kilner} type plugs they have supplied since this date. If so, what is the difference, and what is the object of this change? We rather want the sympathy of the Robinhood Engineering Co. to deal with complaints from customers in this respect and know whether they are prepared to supply us with Plugs which they consider overcome these troubles | ||