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).
Strongly criticizing drawing D Scheme 255 for a 20 HP battery ignition system, highlighting numerous design flaws.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 54\5\ Scan286 | |
| Date | 10th August 1925 | |
| To EFC. {E. Fowler Clarke - Electrical Engineer} from R. {Sir Henry Royce} Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} By c. CJ. Wor. {Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} X3485 R1/M10.8.25. RE R-R BATTERY IGNITION. 20 HP. X.8691. X.3485. Regarding your drawing D Scheme 255.. the proposals as shewn are quite wrong, and impossible. Firstly, we do not seem to know whether it is earth connections or fumes that are spoiling the platinum point. Possibly it may be neigher. The proposals regarding the fumes are not so objectionable as the arrangement and multiplicity of the contacts referring to the condenser. These would be disastrous if carried out as proposed because of the difficulty of assembling, and the impossibility of changing the parts. I am extremely surprised at Derby sending such proposals. The first thing to do, and the simplest, is to compare our work with the American Bosch or the Delco, my impression being that at least our condenser connections are immensely superior, and our rocker connection to earth definitely more substantial, and thoroughly reliable. I therefore return the print of D.255 until the subject has been proved to require such drastic alterations, and, if found necessary, a more reasonable proposal has been discovered. In looking over the list the top ventilation of the head would let in water and therefore spoil the waterproofness that we have obtained on the system. The flexible connection to the rocker arm is soldered and riveted to everything so that the contact post, the condenser, the aluminium casting, and the rocker, is one mass soldered together. This ist too absurd for words. R+ | ||