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).
Comparative test report on direct drive flywheel starters versus gearbox starters.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 50\2\ Scan110 | |
| Date | 18th February 1922 | |
| To RR of America Inc. for Mr. Belnap. Mr. Olley. c. to CJ. BJ. X.3558. c. to Wor. {Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} By. {R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} X.543. RE ELECTRICAL STARTER EQUIPMENT. c. to Hm. {Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} PN. {Mr Northey} X.4298. c. to Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} EP. {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} We have now been able to make an exact comparative test between a direct drive flywheel starter, and the usual RR. equipment. In the case tested the temperature was round about freezing but a little over 5° centigrade against the gearbox starter. The watts per rev, calculate to be exactly the same, slightly in favour of the F.R. arrangement when the gearbox was included, but the difference in the case of the gear drive with and without the clutch was only 3%. The direct driven motor was a slow speed one and the gear ratio of approximately 11 to 1, but even with these precautions the drain on the battery was 36% greater with the direct drive, the revs. of course being greater by the same amount. We cannot see how the starting can be much colder than this, otherwise it would be freezing the circulating water, unless glycerine were used. We have just passed for pre-war cars a C.A.V. flywheel geared set. It is only to be settled whether the motor should be wound for 500 revs. or the 650 as tested; this would be to reduce the current consumption on the battery if it were thought necessary. The scheme is to fit a new bottom half, so as to c | ||