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).
Risk of radiators freezing with thermostat control and the decision to fit them from chassis 1500.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 78\1\ scan0081 | |
| Date | 8th August 1920 | |
| To EJ. from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 83563 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}3/LG3. 8. 20. RE THERMOSTAT CONTROL. X-3456. With reference to the attached memo. ref. BJ3/S2.7.20. the inherent disadvantage of a Thermostat Control operated by short-circuiting the radiator is the fact that there is a risk of the radiator becoming frozen. The only way to eliminate this risk is for the driver to take reasonable precautions under extreme conditions. There are a number of cars which have used this scheme successfully for a number of years and still continue to use it, notably amongst them is the Packard Car. The fact that this scheme is used successfully on the Packard car in America with the very extreme climatic conditions proves that it is practicable. Before the Thermostat Control was designed, the question of the risk of the radiator freezing was seriously considered by Mr. Royce and after due consideration it was agreed all round that the advantages obtained by the Thermostat were worth the risk of the radiator being frozen under extreme conditions when reasonable precautions had not been taken by the driver. It is anticipated that the earliest time for the Thermostat to be fitted on our cars is at chassis 1500. If the Thermostat is brought in at 1500 chassis, it should not incur any great amount of scrap. We have asked Mr. Delooze to send you the extra cost of the Thermostat, attc. BJ3/S2,Z.20. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||