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 electrical troubles in the 20-HP cars, detailing issues with coils, condensers, and wiring.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 45\3\ Scan066 | |
| Date | 19th July 1923 | |
| X4054 HY{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} c.Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c.EFC. c.Sft.{Mr Swift} for Mr. Brock. c.HG. EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}7/H19.7.23. re. 20-HP ELECTRICAL TROUBLES. We are now experiencing a considerable amount of trouble with the electrical system of the 20-HP cars which are now in service. Although it may be pointed out that the electrical system has been improved considerably since the earlier cars, I regret that even on test we are still having trouble and failures. It appears that some very close investigation work should be made, so that we should be in a better position to be more confident that we were sending out out cars with the electrical system in a much more reliable condition. Apart from this it also appears necessary that some consideration should be given as to whether retrospective action should not be taken to deal with some of the faults now existing. The following are a few points for attention:- 1. COILS. Complete failures and irregular failures. See our report EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}6/H14.7.23 2. FAULTY CONDENSER CONNECTION. The faulty earth connection has now been improved upon by making sure X4054 that the condensers are a tight fit in the case. X4430 Are we satisfied that this is a permanent cure? Steps have been taken for this fault to be corrected retrospectively in a similar way as above mentioned. We are also doubtful as to whether the earthing connection of the condenser case of the aluminium body of the make and break is also satisfactory. We demonstrated a sample of this weakness this morning to Mr. Clough, in which the rivet attaching the spring to the case was loose and the spring itself did not appear really to grip the case in position. We have also had faulty contact and "earthing" of the connection passing through the lid{A. J. Lidsey} of the condenser. 3. BREAKAGE OF WIRES. We have had one or two cases of X.4075 breakage where the wires are connected to the terminals. This failure has taken place at the low tension wire connection of the make and break. This trouble appears to have been overcome by an improved terminal, the shank of which also grips the insulation. This scheme I recommend should | ||