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).
Investigating the failures of Exide batteries and requesting further clarification on the issues.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 46\3\ Scan061 | |
| Date | 15th May 1922 | |
| COPY. X.607. BY3-P15.5.22. RECEIVED 16 MAY 1922 P. (FS{F. Steele}) C. ON. C. EPO. C. HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} X607. X.4288. RE BATTERIES. Seen HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Referring to Ps5/JM{Mr Morley}10522, dealing with the question of Exide Battery failures, there are a number of points that we would like to have clearly outlined in regard to the failures referred to;- (1) What do Paris actually mean by over-discharge, will they please describe the state of the batteries with this fault? (2) How long have the Exide Batteries in question been in service? (3) Are they having complaints with reference to new batteries supplied with the cells in a dry condition, that some of the cells are found to be cracked? (4) Can they tell us whether the batteries which have failed are of the latest improved type, having ebonite separators in addition to the wooden separators which were originally fitted? If the information asked for under the above headings can be supplied I think we shall be able to get at really what is the basis of the complaints about the Exide Battery. It should, of course, be understood that any electrical system on a car is more or less of a compromise, and actually in connection with our own chassis this aspect of the case is more emphasized than on any other make of car, mainly owing to the fact that the car may run under service conditions as quite low speeds on direct drive, whilst on the other hand another owner will drive all out and do 2000 to 2250 revs, almost all day long, therefore unless some special care is taken in examining and keeping the batteries in condition, it is evident that whilst quite a large number of the batteries give no trouble, a certain proportion will develop trouble from under-charging, whilst another proportion will suffer from the opposite evil of over-charging. contd. | ||