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).
Ongoing troubles with faulty battery ignition and condenser construction.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 45\3\ Scan013 | |
| Date | 22th June 1920 | |
| X.4054 By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. Sft.{Mr Swift} c. Mr. Brock. c. EFC. EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}2/F22.6.20. X.3129 - FAULTY BATTERY IGNITION AND CONDENSER TROUBLES. X.4054. X.2512. We are still having trouble with failure of battery ignition, which appears to develop when running, and appears to be caused by the bad condition of the make and break platinum points. This fault has rather made us turn our attention to faulty condenser connections, and we certainly feel there are points in the condenser construction which could be improved to advantage. The points giving trouble, and to which I should be glad if you will give your attention are as follows :- (1). The two nuts holding the condenser in position and which simultaneously form the earth connections, we have found loose, and the appearance of the surface between the nut and the aluminium case has shown bad electrical contact. (2) Although action is taken by the works to make sure that the screws are quite tight, we do not think the present means of tightening these is strong enough. Apart from this, we feel that these bolts are cramping the insulating material, which is affected by the condition of the surrounding atmosphere, and causes the nuts to become slack. We suggest that these nuts should be fixed in position by a spring washer which is not insulated, and which will not allow electrical "osmosis" to take place. It is very important that this connection should always be reliable and should not be affected by the nuts becoming loose. (2) Similar action could also be taken to advantage in connection with the insulated connection in which the ebonite appears to act as an insulator and packing piece. It is also necessary that the stud on this terminal should be made longer, as at present there is insufficient room for the terminal of the wire and spring washer to be fixed. We understand from Mr. Watkins that improvements have been fitted on the later type condensers, and I wish to make it quite clear that we are still having trouble with the nuts coming loose, as mentioned in paragraph (1). | ||