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).
Phantom II starter motor failures due to water ingress on experimental cars.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\U\May1930-July1930\ Scan062 | |
| Date | 29th May 1930 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from EFC. c. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. Ey. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} EFC5/AD29.5.30. X.7625. PHANTOM II STARTER MOTOR. PROTECTION FROM WATER. Two cases of failure of Phantom II starter motors have come to our notice as a result of the ingress of water, both of these being on experimental cars, and though one was an old type of motor nevertheless this does not affect the matter at present under consideration. In regard to these cases my assistant reports as follows :- "The effect of the water was on Y machine to soak the windings causing leakage to earth, to start rusting the pinion and brush springs and fittings and also to produce a white corrosion on the aluminium brush holders which caused the brushes to seize and the machine to fail. On K machine similar effects took place, but the brushes were not all seized. The driving end bearing however, was seized and the machine failed to engage on the teaser current. As regards the entry of the water, the instance of 22-EX occurred at a time of heavy rain and floods and as the centre line of the motor is only about 16" above the ground, it is possible that the motor might | ||