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).
Extract regarding U.S.A. complaints about battery ignition systems and the reliability of tungsten versus platinum-iridium contact points.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 35\6\ scan 055 | |
| Date | 12th July 1921 | |
| X.2894 Extract from R8/G12.7.21. Re U.S.A. COMPLAINTS. BATTERY IGNITION. X.4275. X.3445. You will remember that we agreed to your fitting Bosch battery ignition provided a lengthy test proved the parts to last in good order, that you used our pattern of coil, and that they made the low tension contact rocker more easily detachable. TUNGSTEN V.PLATINUM. X.2894. X.1818. Mr. Hives now points out that the contact points should have platinum-iridium faces instead of tungsten if this would considerably add to the life of these contacts. Our own and the magneto makers find tungsten far less reliable than platinum-iridium faces. | ||