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 to British Helsby Insulated Cables Ltd. regarding failures of their standard cable and a request for new ozone-proof alternatives.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 167\3\ img019 | |
| Date | 12th March 1937 | |
| 6110 12th March 1937. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Wst.6/AP. British Helsby Insulated Cables Ltd., HELSBY, NR. Warrington. For the attention of Mr.E.A.Bayles. Dear Sirs, We are experiencing still further trouble with standard Helsby cable, this time on one of our recent experimental test cars now running in France. We feel that immediate action must be taken with regard to these failures, and unless you can effect some immediate improvement to the existing type of cable, we would like you to submit for experimental test samples of new types of cable incorporating ozone proof covering preferably Duprene, or the new type of German synthetic rubber which we understand is very good from an ozone point of view. It is understood that this cable will probably be more expensive than the existing type, but we feel that at the moment no expense should be spared in giving our customers 100% reliability. We have been testing a new type of ignition cable made for us by Messrs Johnson & Phillips, and this has been giving remarkably good results. This cable is covered with some form of ozone proof material. In a discussion with Messrs Lucas' technical representatives yesterday, we understood that they are also in trouble with ignition cables made by your goodselves, and we feel that some serious attempt should be made to give us a cable which will at least last 10,000 miles on the car. Yours faithfully, FOR ROLLS-ROYCE LTD. | ||