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).
The systematic investigation of Dubilier made condensers for battery ignition.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 34\1\ Scan228 | |
| Date | 21th March 1921 | |
| X.2512 To Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} from EFC. c. to Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}/Mr. Brock. c. Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} c. EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} EFC7/T21.3.21. X. 2512 - DUBILIER MADE CONDENSERS. We have now completed a systematic investigation of the 12 Dubilier made condensers for R.R. battery ignition, and the results of our tests are given in the accompanying sheets. The condensers were divided into four groups as specified thereon and were put through four tests, also specified, in various orders, the results of which are there given. It will be seen on examination of these results that four out of the twelve have broken down. It would appear from the results that unless it is a mere coincidence the right way to test these for the purpose of eliminating any possibility of failure on the car would be to carry out test (4) in the first instance, and afterwards carry out test (2) of standard production. It would seem that test (4) imposed a high stress on the condensers which, if any weakness exists, will find this out and, without actually breaking the condensers down, owing to the short duration of the potential impulse, will so weaken these as to enable the standard production test to break these down. As, however, this particular test takes a considerable time, we have an alternative test (3) which we call a resonance test, by which means about 600 volts is put up on Contd. | ||