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).
Instructions on battery maintenance, safety procedures, and testing the condition of charge.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 26\2\ Scan093 | |
| Date | 6th August 1919 guessed | |
| -7- Contd. (But do not use abrasives for cleaning, e.g. File, emery paper, sand paper). Do not allow metal tools or other metal to short circuit XXX across any terminals of the battery. Do not inspect the battery with the aid of a nakedlight, and on no account disconnect any of the battery terminals or connections when any light or other apparatus is being supplied from the system for such a course incurs serious risk of an explosion destructive to the accumulator. A useful adjunct in connection with keeping the top of the battery free from spilt acid is a small sponge, which should be used in conjunction with a bowl of water to remove the acid from the top of the battery. Do not allow acid which is to go into the battery to be put in a metal vessel. Do not "short" the battery to see if it is charged. See that vent plug passages are kept clear. Testing for Condition of Charge. No voltmeter is provided on the electrical system as this is not considered necessary. Its reading when the battery is on open circuit may be quite a fallacious indication of the condition of the battery. For instance, with a run-down battery or one having a leaky or internally shorted cell the full voltage might be indicated on the voltage meter with all apparatus switched off. The best method of ascertaining that the battery is charged is to switch on the lights for a few minutes with the engine not running, watching meanwhile for any appreciable reduction in the intensity of illumination. | ||