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).
Recurring issue of damaged batteries upon delivery to coachbuilders and the associated repair costs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 49\5\ Scan314 | |
| Date | 17th August 1921 | |
| R.R. 214A (100 T) S.H.T. 789. 10-12-20. G 2047 X4288 S/W {Sales / Derby Works} COPY Sn. {Mr Sanderson} Bs {A J. Barnes - Assistant Manager} 5/CM18.8.21. dictated 17.8.21. x607 Re:- BATTERIES. X4288 We are still experiencing considerable difficulty with broken batteries. The position is that the batteries are despatched by you with the chassis in cases and these cases are handed over to the Coachbuilders. It nearly always happens that when the Coachbuilders inspect the batteries, for the purpose of charging them, that one or more of the cells is found to be damaged and we are then asked to make the necessary replacement. We have taken up with the Coachbuilders the question of examining the batteries when they are first received, but are informed that the damage cannot be ascertained until the batteries are charged, as the broken cells only show up when this operation is carried out. It appears to us that the damage may be caused in transit and there is no reason why Sales Department should continually have to make the damage good. Our practice in the past has been to send the damaged batteries to the Chloride Company, but in each case we have to bear the cost of repair. If the batteries are so frail that they cannot withstand transit, then we ought to come to some other arrangement for packing them or failing this perhaps you could make a standard arrangement with the Chloride Company in London to repair any batteries which we may have to send to them. We have taken this matter up with you previously, but without success. We now wish to go further into it, because the amounts which we are having to pay for the repair of damaged batteries are increasing daily and we wish to come to an understanding without delay. C/Bs. {A J. Barnes - Assistant Manager} | ||