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).
Internal correspondence regarding the failure of an ignition coil, customer liability, and potential design flaws.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 46\3\ Scan182 | |
| Date | 16th March 1920 | |
| X.3716 By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to Ck.{Mr Clark} EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}4/F16.3.20. X.3445. RE FAILURE OF IGNITION COIL. X.3716. I thank you for your By10/H15.3.20. I still do not feel that under the circumstances we can charge the customer with a new coil, as it will be necessary to explain to him the result of his carelessness. I do not wish to feel that we can make a precedent by pointing out that on our car the ignition will not stand leaving on all night as with other cars. I feel therefore that customers will object, and the matter will come to Mr. Johnson's attention. I am anxious that we should be unanimous in this opinion before taking action. Although I can vouch for the coil itself working satisfactorily when the chassis was delivered from the Works, as previously pointed out, I cannot guarantee that it will remain so in view of the fact that the coils on test have developed short circuits, in the ballast resistance, owing to this resistance coming in contact with the aluminium casing. My remark on finding excuses does not refer to any special Department, but to the Co's action generally. I am very pleased, however, that you are now taking up the question of design. I do not wish there to be any misunderstanding regarding the temperature which the ballast resistance gets to if the ignition is left on with the engine standing, which according to the tests which we have taken in the past, is under 100°C. This point, however, can be confirmed by Ck.{Mr Clark} I certainly feel that an alteration in design is required and it appears necessary that something should be done to avoid any possibility of the ballast resistance being circuited or earthed by any action which it may have to undergo whilst in service. We notice after the coil has been in use for a short time, that the stud passing through the coil fixing the ballast resistance becomes loose. Cannot this be fixed so that it is unaffected by the expansion or contraction of insulating materials? I thought this point could be considered in dealing with the solution of alteration to the design of the present coil, especially in view of your remarks. Contd. | ||