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).
Test results of a Lucas chassis lighting and starting battery, including weight, construction, and discharge tests.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 35\1\ scan 149 | |
| Date | 11th May 1920 | |
| R.R. 63 (50 T) (B & F 846. 6-8-19) G 2459 X.2676 ---- 1320. 6 lines. EPC5/T. 11th May, 1920. The Lucas Electrical Co.Ltd., Great King Street, Birmingham. 2 Lucas C/2 X.664 Dear Sirs, X.2676 Re Chassis Lighting & Starting Battery. With reference to the latest sample Lucas chassis lighting and starting battery, received by us on the 31st. Oct. last, and referred to in your letter CLB/GD of the 5th Sept. last, we are now pleased to give you the results of the tests through which this battery has been put, as follow :- The weight of this battery with carrier we find to be 79 1/4 lbs. We consider the terminals and connections from cell to cell to be good and well protected and that they do not heat up appreciably on high rate discharge. The vent plugs we do not find to be good as they allow acid to spray out during gassing. We are not impressed with the celluloid sling for lifting and carrying the battery, as we do not feel this is a very safe arrangement. Regarding the actual tests through which this battery was put:- On receipt of the battery in a charged condition, this was further charged to make sure of the charge being complete. The acid densities, after standing, lay round about 1210. We then discharged at 6.0 amperes in two periods separated by a night interval until the voltage dropped to 10.5, and we realised 69.0 ampere hours, the densities having now fallen below the range of our hydrometer. The battery was then again fully charged at about 7 amperes in several periods. It was then discharged at 10.0 amperes in one period to 10.0 volts, and gave 60 ampere hours. The battery was then again fully charged, the average densities now becoming 1240. It was then subjected to a continuous high rate discharge through a constant resistance of .0763 ohm. On this test the battery started off by giving 137 amps. the current gradually falling to 120 amperes during a period of 8.6 minutes, and then more rapidly to 100 amps (or 7.63 volts) in a total period of 9.36 minutes. Contd. | ||