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).
Suitability of Edison versus lead-acid batteries for use in cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 1\7\ B001_X15 20 46 50 59-page265 | |
| Date | 31th December 1920 | |
| X58 To Sn.{Mr Sanderson} from EFC. EFC6/T31.12.20. X.664. X.50. RE BATTERIES. ON R.R. CARS. X.543. X.3717. With reference to Mr. Cox's note Cx{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}5/WM23.12.20, dealing with the subject of Edison Batteries, as is well know, the Edison or Alkaline type of battery has many advantages over the lead acid type for certain purposes, but as to which is most successful in any particular case depends entirely upon the circumstances of the case. Without going into all the pros and cons of the Edison battery, we can quite appreciate that the gentlemen referred to has obtained better results on his yacht with the use of Edison batteries in place of lead batteries, as in that case circumstances are such as would favour the use of the former. For the car the problem is a little different, In time gone by we have had quite a number of Edison cells and tried these on the car for lighting and ignition purposes, and although showing up favourably in many respects these were ultimately turned down as unsuitable, very largely on the score of the external corrosion which readily takes place if given the least opportunity. A set of Edison cells must be very carefully spaced and insulated from one another to avoid this in a manner which does not readily permit of this being downe satisfactorily on the car, bearing in mind all the while that the road vibration and consequent spilling and creeping of electrolyte is much more serious on the car | ||