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).
Proposal and testing of thin plate batteries before standardisation.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 58\4\ Scan254 | |
| Date | 18th April 1936 | |
| W S T x602" Deeme Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} and Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} from E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} ROY.{Sir Henry Royce} Hc/Wst. By/RD. E.3/HP.18.4.36. re Thin Plate Batteries. At one of the recent conferences, attended by Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} and Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} in Derby, the question of fitting thin plate batteries for increasing the current available for engine starting was discussed, and the minutes of this meeting rather indicate that thin plate batteries should be ordered for production. We are not, however, in a position to standardise this change until sufficiently extensive testing has been carried out to confirm that battery reliability and durability will be up to our required standards. Batteries of this type are fitted to 32-EX and another Phantom III chassis, also to 6-B-IV and 22-C-V, but one 10,000 mile test is not sufficient for deciding this point since it represents rather less than half a year's normal service, and we have many customers who do more than 20,000 miles a year. We have an intensive life test for batteries which is carried out in the laboratory where the battery is put through repeated cycles of charge and discharge at scheduled rates. This test takes four to six months to complete, and one of these thin plate batteries has just started, but has only got to the stage of being conditioned. We are, therefore, not in a position to standardise these batteries until more work has been done. With regard to the proposal to use a smaller and 14 lbs lighter thin plate battery on the Bentley chassis, we see no harm in running this, but now that we have got the Bentley and 25-30 batteries into line I am of the opinion that any change in battery policy should apply to both cars and certainly if a small battery will deal with the higher compression engine and other Bentley requirements it should be satisfactory for the 25-30. In the meantime we do not propose to undertake any changes to battery box design until more testing is carried out. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} | ||