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).
Report evaluating the suitability of Lucas supplied electrical equipment, specifically the starter motor and dynamo.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 165\1\ img062 | |
| Date | 14th June 1937 | |
| Confidential WSL- 6653 Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} and Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} Sy/Och. By/RD. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Wst. E.1/HP.14.6.37. Electrical Equipment and Lucas Material. Starter Motor. As a result of the visit to Messrs. Lucas and subsequent consideration we feel that the Lucas starter motor is sufficiently well made to be used as a complete unit on our cars with the better standard of external finish that we require, which means only a further operation on the outside of the magnet case. In addition we should require the end brackets in aluminium and this raises the point as to whether the machine should be assembled at Lucas' or at our factory, which point can be settled by arrangement with Lucas. We anticipate that the final arrangement will be the motors assembled at these works so that the assembly, inspection and testing will be our responsibility. With regard to the starter pinion, we think this will meet our requirements provided experimental test shows the engagement is satisfactory. Whether it is possible to use the standard type of Lucas end bracket and motor shaft remains to be seen as this will require some modification to the engine being shorter than we normally use, and we have to investigate whether the resulting set up will be satisfactory to us. In respect to the motor commutator, we think that for intermittent duty this commutator will be satisfactory and that the method of sweating on the conductors should also be good enough since the motor conductors are far more robust than the windings used on the dynamo armature. Dynamo. With reference to the dynamo, we do not think the Lucas commutator is good enough for our speeds and also we want to be satisfied that the junction between the windings and the commutator is absolutely sound and made and inspected by us. We, therefore, think the only part of the Lucas | ||