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).
Issues found with the air pump, vibrations and battery system on chassis 49 GB.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 181\M11\ img217 | |
| Date | 4th May 1919 | |
| To Mr. from R.{Sir Henry Royce} Copy to SJ. DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} EFC. ORIGINAL. RE CHASSIS 49 GB - AIR PUMP ETC. x.664x x.2448x x.3283x x.3439x x.2631x x.3484x RECEIVED 4 MAY 1919 I understand this is the first of the new air pumps. The spring over the valve was very much too long. I cut this down to a third of its length and even then with only a light pressure on the delivery valve the air pressure did not rise above 2.5 lbs instead of 3 lbs. I suggest reducing the capacity within the pump. This air pressure system was found to run down very quickly on standing. It was made very much better by tightening various unions, especially one on the control valve on the inside of the frame. The vibration due to reactions very much increased by the fact that the end of the instrument board is loose, and shakes the air pump handle. There was also one of the side lamps not tightened on the bracket. This was the one behind the auxiliary petrol tank. Some trouble was experienced with this car owing to the battery being down at every conceivable moment. The cells were examined and some were found to be very low in electrolyte, but even if this was correct it still ran down quickly, and a leakage was found. This occurred through the end of the armouring leaving one of the lamps being in contact with one of the conductors and so short circuiting the current to the frame. This would be always on, and would be of such a resistance as not to excessively heat, owing to its spiral form, but very effective at running down the battery. (Contd.) | ||