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).
Comparing the benefits of battery versus magneto ignition systems for the 'Goshawk II' engine.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 54\5\ Scan168 | |
| Date | 28th November 1921 | |
| X3485 RECEIVED NOV 28 1921 To. H.S. from R. {Sir Henry Royce} Copy to [illegible crossed out text] E.F.G. X. 3485 ✓ X. 3199 X. 430. x.3129 RE BATTERY OR MAGNETO IGNITION. I wrote some days ago pointing out to members of our staff, the great benefit "Goshawk II" shews of having a governed ignition (auto advance) as this engine, like all other high compression and high efficiency engines, is particularly sensitive that the point of ignitions shall be exactly timed for the speed at which it is running. This can be more easily obtained by an accurately governed battery ignition than with a magneto, which is not practical to drive through a governor. In addition to this, you will notice that in another memo of even date, I point out the advantage that the battery ignition has when starting, i.e. it is more likely to give a spark of enough potential to jump across points coated with oil or petrol, which often occur with a cold engine. R. {Sir Henry Royce} | ||