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).
The unsuitability of a foot-operated starter and the evaluation of alternative starter systems.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 40\5\ Scan212 | |
| Date | 3rd March 1931 | |
| -2- E1/M3.3.31 contd A foot operated starter is not suitable for our purpose. There are already enough foot pedals with the foot switch for the lamps and the one for the central chassis lubrication. Everything points to the sequence starter. The only argument that can really be used against it is that it is more difficult to understand. If the connections are arranged so that it cannot be wrongly coupled up this does not matter. The only suitable alternatives in sight at the moment are the present motor driving a more powerful Bijur pinion through a reduction gear and operated by a relay main switch, or the scheme suggested in memo R1/M21.1.29 in which the motor drives the engine through a slideable layshaft, the first motion gears being spiral and by their action causing engagement of the pinion with the flywheel, shock being absorbed by a spring loaded cork clutch in the driven gear. We should be very glad to have your views regarding this matter. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} | ||