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).
Letter to North & Sons Ltd. comparing their 'Watford' magneto unfavourably with the German Bosch magneto.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 49\5\ Scan140 | |
| Date | 1st September 1920 | |
| R.R. 258a. (10M T) S.H. 738. 10-12-20: G 2947 X 4279 c. Wd. {Mr Wood / Mr Whitehead} c. EFC. {E. Fowler Clarke - Electrical Engineer} c. Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} By4/H1.9.20. September 1st, 1920. Messrs. North & Sons, Ltd., Whippendell Road, WATFORD. Dear Sirs, X.2375. RE "WATFORD" MAGNETOS. X.4279. X.4181. Owing to the trouble we have encountered, in mostly small items, and also the fact that we have not been able to get sufficiently quiet gears in the "Watford" magnetos, we have been compelled to give our attention to a genuine "Bosch" magneto. After testing same, we have definitely satisfied ourselves that as regards workmanship, finish, silence, and electrical efficiency, it is considerably in advance of the Watford machine we are at present using. We have no desire to buy a German article, and would much prefer to continue to trade with an English Company, but it must be distinctly understood that the best magneto which can possibly be obtained is none too good, and that we shall be compelled, unless you improve your product so that it is at least equal to the German Bosch, to definitely consider buying the latter. Amongst other features, we find the three following points are a distinct improvement in the case of the German Bosch when compared with the Watford :- 1. The safety spark gap is set too close. On the Bosch magneto, the safety spark gap is set at 10 mm. We can, with this magneto, run with wider gaps at the plug | ||