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).
Starter motor engagement issues and design flaws for the Phantom III.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\1\ scan0465 | |
| Date | 22th December 1936 | |
| 300. WST A report reqd from you in due Course Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} K/W. GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}..to Er c to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c to Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c to RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}/DPM/22.12.36. PHANTOM III. ----------- STARTER MOTOR. The engagement of the starter motor is going to become a serious complaint. The geared ring on the flywheels are becoming damaged owing to faulty engagements. It has been pointed out to me that the motor is running too quickly before the pinion engages. The setting of the trigger contacts is too close, bringing in the main current too early. Another feature which has been demonstrated to me is, the possibility of pressing the starter button when switching on or off the engine while wearing thick gloves. The starter button is very close to the switch and can be accidentally pressed during the operation of switching off. Another feature is, the 12-cylinder engine stops dead, there is no bounce as there is with the 6-cylinder, and when engaging the pinion, the flywheel will not move at all to allow for alignment of the pinion teeth and the flywheel teeth. GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} | ||