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 detailing the temporary failure of WT.13 type horns in cold weather on an Experimental Bentley car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 166\9\ img186 | |
| Date | 9th February 1939 | |
| 6066 EXPERIMENTAL DEPARTMENT. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/RC.{R. Childs}10/JH. 9th. February, 1939. Messrs. Joseph Lucas Ltd., Great King Street, BIRMINGHAM. For the attention of Mr. T. Harris. Dear Sirs, We have during the last two or three weeks, had several reports from our testers on the road, of temporary failure of the WT.13 type horns fitted on one of our Experimental Bentley cars No. 7.B.V. From observations made, it appeared that the horns failed after the car had been out for a time in cold weather, but duly recovered when brought into the warm garage. This was confirmed by ourselves by the horns being tested inside the garage, and again after the car had stood in the open for about 1 1/2 hours. In this case the alto horn failed, while the treble horn appeared to be a little weak. Following this the horns were removed from the car, and connected up on the bench, with a relay and a fully charged battery. Under these conditions the horns behaved normally. The complete arrangement was then removed to a cold chamber with an ambient temperature of 9°F.{Mr Friese} Within a few minutes the treble horn completely failed, while the alto horn appeared to be a little weak on the 'soft' side only. The horns were then returned to the warm air of the Laboratory, when the treble quickly recovered, but the alto was still weak. When this happened it was noticed that the horns were still very cold on the outside. The alto horn in turn recovered, until both were normal again. Cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} | ||