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).
Failure of a 20-HP starter motor due to loose screws and poor brush fitting.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\4\ Scan246 | |
| Date | 17th August 1923 | |
| X43821 BY. {R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. EPC. c. Sft. {Mr Swift} for Mr. Brock. c. Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} EP {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} 2/H17.8.23. re. Failure of 20-HP Starter Motor 63-H-5. X43821 We recently had a failure of a starter motor and by such investigations as we have been able to make, we find that one of the screws holding the pig-tail of the brush to the brush holder had come adrift, causing the short circuit. I am returning to you the brush holders for your examination and am anxious to draw your attention to the condition of these screws. You will notice the threads into which the screws fit are in a very poor condition, in fact it would appear that the threads have been slack and have been tightened up by punching. Examination of the present starters reveals the fact that the threads are much better in this respect. I should like your advice as to whether you think it is in order for us to allow starters to remain in service with the screw threads in this condition, andwhether you think any action should be taken retrospectively. Possibly the Works can supply you with the number of starters turned out in this condition. I should also like to draw the Works attention to the poor fitting of one of the brushes, in which the spring is not central with the slot, and therefore limits its effectiveness as the brush wears. This is a fault which Mr. Brock will remember I have previously pointed out was experienced on test with dynamos. Does he consider this fault is likely to be a general one on cars we have delivered? EP. {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} | ||