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).
Test results and feedback on the first sample of a lockable ignition switch.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\E\November1920\ Scan34 | |
| Date | 5th November 1920 | |
| Handwritten notes: EFC TESTS THE FIRST RR LOCKABLE IGNITION SWITCH & ASKS R A LOT OF QUESTIONS. HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} WOULD THINK HAVE MADE FIRM & SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS RATHER THAN PUTTING THE BALL BACK INTO R'S COURT. EFC DOES SEEM TO BE UNCERTAIN & LACKING IN 'BITE'. EFC1/T5.11.20. Stamped: ORIGINAL Typed content: R.R. 235A (100 T) (S. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} 159, 11-8-20) G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} 2800 To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from EFC. c. to CJ. c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to PN.{Mr Northey} c. to Bn.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} -------------------------------- X.4186 - R.R. LOCKABLE IGNITION SWITCH. -------------------------------- We have examined and tested the first sample of this switch submitted to us for the purpose. We are aware that you already have in hand certain alterations to this at West WitteringHenry Royce's home town. We find the electrical circuits to be O.K. There is, however, a connection made by each switch in the position corresponding to one contact just going off and the other just coming on. This causes the battery ignition to be put on momentarily in changing from M to O and the magneto to be put off momentarily in changing from M to M + B. This may not, however, be objectionable. Would it not be better to split each spring contact into three or perhaps two tongues, each bearing independently on the drum ? The ebonite insulation of the drum is rather soft and allows tracking to take place. This, however, we have shown not to allow of any leakage on any ordinary voltage. Will the copper ferrules through which the flexible lead to the instrument light has to pass be O.K. as regards chafing the insulation ? Is the exit for the wires through the case as nearly as possible opposite to the ring through which the wires have to pass ? Contd. | ||