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).
Letter to S. Smith & Sons Ltd. regarding a faulty single wire type petrol gauge returned for inspection.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 149\3\ scan0095 | |
| Date | 21th July 1939 | |
| 1263. EXPERIMENTAL DEPARTMENT. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/JBD.{John B. Dixon - Fuel Systems}12/JH. 21st. July, 1939. S.Smith & Sons Ltd. Cricklewood Works, LONDON.N.W.2. For the attention of Mr. Russell. Dear Sirs, We have returned for your inspection and report one single wire type petrol gauge which we have dismantled. The gauge was removed having failed after either a short circuit or a wrong connection having burnt out the wire in the resistance. This unit has completed 50,000 miles on Test and the trouble occurred while at the coach builders. We noticed that the float was also sticking and find the shaft very light in the case and it is this trouble that we are anxious to get to the bottom, after our previous experience with the three wire type unit. The unit has been standing a few weeks and we wonder if this has brought up the trouble. We believe we are right in saying that zinc base alloys are prone to distortion and growth and that difficulties have been encountered on throttle spindles where a stainless shaft has been run direct in zinc base alloy castings. Will you please let us have a report on this unit and recommendation if any. Yours faithfully, FOR ROLLS-ROYCE LTD. | ||