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).
Failure of 'Exide' battery cells due to poor quality separators and the need for a more reliable alternative.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\F\February1921\ Scan88 | |
| Date | 7th February 1921 | |
| To EFC. from R.{Sir Henry Royce} Copy to CJ. " " HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} " " R.R. of America Inc. (for attention of OY.) ORIGINAL X.604 X.664 X.3263 RE "EXIDE" CELLS. X.1198 RECEIVED One of the cells on 1 EX. here became short-circuited in the same way as the one of similar make on the Buick. It was taken to pieces and found that the separator was too short, and also that the material which the separators are made of, namely, thin wood, does not seem satisfactory material. I think there is no doubt that the cells have been carelessly made, or [handwritten insertion: due to] of poor materials. Unless the Exide people take this responsibility, and also alter their ways, I am afraid we shall have to give up using their cells. I should be glad if you would let me know what material is used in the various cells as separators. I think the Willard use a material something like linen treated with bakelite. It may, however, be cotton canvas. Other people use perforated ebonite. In conclusion, it is of the utmost importance that the batteries are reliable. *The actual performance, weight, efficiency, etc. is nothing compared with reliability.* R.{Sir Henry Royce} JHR E F C FEB 7 1922 RECEIVED V-1. A B 2027 R.R.L. G.F.H? 100 11-2-20 C 3800 | ||