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 tentative specification and initial testing of the new Watford Type EW6 magneto for the Phantom chassis, noting issues with noisiness and the contact breaker lever.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 70\4\ scan0133 | |
| Date | 3rd February 1928 | |
| To BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from EFC. c. SFT{Mr Swift} c. SFT{Mr Swift}/Mr. Ellis. c. Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} X8781m EFC4/T3.2.28. WATFORD TYPE EW6 MAGNETO FOR RR. PHANTOM CHASSIS. X7791 Herewith we send to you copy of Specification of Production Inspection & Test of this new type of magneto. At the moment this specification is tentative and may be subject to alteration, because we have not yet run this test on a sufficient number of magnetos of this type to see if they can in the main comply. The test, however, represents what we would like the machines to be and is in agreement with the General Specification of Performance with which we have provided Messrs. Norths. It may be that the rejects on this test are considerable in the early stages and that a number of machines may have to be returned for modification, especially on the question of noisiness. This remains to be seen. Of the half dozen production magnetos which have been handed to us, we are disappointed with the noisiness as being no better than the average EO6. We are also disappointed with the consistency of the force required to operate the contact breaker lever, both on individual machines, and from one machine to another. Some machines may be found to be unsatisfactory on this point, it being remembered that it is most essential for our oil relay advance for this feature to be right. Investigations are proceeding and in a day or two a full experimental report on the position to date will be issued. We are attaching to Mr. Ellis's copy of this note two copies of a form which we have utilized for our tests. EFC. | ||