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).
Investigation into engine starting difficulties in cold weather and a request for a new battery.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 37\1\ scan 129 | |
| Date | 15th November 1921 | |
| To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to OJ. c. to PN.{Mr Northey} c. to EFC. c. to EF. c. to Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} c. to R.R. of America Inc. (For attention of CY). x3199 R3/C15.11.21. X.4217. RE STARTING. X.3619. X.3199. X.430. Regarding starting, Mr. Elliott tells me that he had great trouble with starting the Essex engine on his return from the Show during the cold weather. Whether this was actually engine fault or the fault of the fuel in the auto tank becoming heavy through standing a day or so after a run, we are investigating, but the fact remains that this American specimen with its choker was, on this occasion, a failure in starting. As regards the starting of the 40/50 H.P. on a very similar occasion to the above, but an even colder night, this started quite well. I found it necessary to shut the throttle by hand, and took the precaution to adjust the small carburetter to its richest setting, after which it started without hesitation with Shell No.1. This car has only five cells working, one being cut out because it has an internal short circuit. Will you please arrange to send or bring a fresh battery for this car of the same size as te Exide, but it must have independent supports for the positive and negative plates, and effective separators (You will remember it is a small sized battery carried inside the frame). Contd. | ||