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).
Ignition system improvements on the 1 EX experimental car, including spring material and magneto accessibility.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 40\5\ Scan002 | |
| Date | 21th August 1919 | |
| To EFC. from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to CJ. c. to BN.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to EH. X.3630 R1/G21.8.19. X.2565 RE IGNITION ON 1 EX. X.3129. X.2512. X.3630. X.2375. X.2762 With reference to the ignition on 1 EX this seemed to behave excellently. I am also pleased to see that the arrangement of the condenser designed here promises to be very satisfactory all round. I think, however, it would be better to substitute a silicon bronze spring for the steel spring making the contact. If it is of hard rolled metal it should be sufficiently elastic. It would have less resistance both in the contact and in the section of the metal, and unless the steel spring is made of stainless, the rusting would prohibit its adoption. Again, unless made of non-magnetic material the self-induction would be less with the bronze than with the steel. In connection with the ignition on this car, the distributor of the Watford Magneto is rather difficult to remove. Mr. Elliott has pointed out that this could be improved by canting the top of the magneto outwards by fitting it on a sloping base. This could be tried experimentally and be recommended for car 500 post-War, if found to give the increased accessibility that is so desired. As regards the drive to the magneto, of late years I have found no advantage in fitting the brake, and like the lock of the bonnet, this should only be fitted when specially demanded by the customer. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||