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 condition of a No.3A Experimental Battery after service and testing.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\Q\February1927-March1927\ 81 | |
| Date | 5th March 1927 | |
| PETO & RADFORD, 50, GROSVENOR GARDENS, LONDON, S.W.1. M/5. 5th March, 1927. Messrs. Rolls Royce Ltd., Derby. For the attention of Mr. Fowler Clark. Dear Sirs, With further reference to your letter of February 10th and ours of the 12th re No.3A Experimental Battery, we have now hadt the report from our Works on this and it is as follows :- "Report on the remaining four cells in the P & " No.3A Battery returned from Rolls-Royce Ltd. after three years' service, embracing 21,751 miles car duty and twelve months bench life test. General Condition. Sealing compound was cracked and pushed up owing to the stretching of the positive plates. The Dagenite container was somewhat buckled. This is the old type Dagenite which had a lower softening point than the present type. In all the cells the sediment was flush with the plates supports causing short circuits. The bottom rests have for nearly a year been considerably increased in height over these ones under review and had this been the case we think this battery would have continued for a further period. The 2 7-plate Cells. The positives in each cell fell to pieces on dismantling owing to the peroidation of the grids and rims but the active material was still firm and good. The positives had grown and projected about 3/16" above the negatives. Their condition is due to old age accelerated by what is obviously a charging current in excess of what they should have. The negatives in each cell were fairly good but rather hard and somewhat blistered. The wood separators were good but thin and slightly perforated in one or two places owing to the enormous pressure through the positive growth. The ebonite separators in one cell were in fair condition though rubbed through in places. In the other cell they were very much decomposed and disintegrated. Contd. | ||