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).
The testing of new open-type Lucas headlamps, detailing faults and potential improvements.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 167\1\ img199 | |
Date | 28th October 1937 | |
6116 Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/IMW.{Ivan M. Waller - Head of Chateauroux}13/MH.{M. Huckerby}28.10.37. To By from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/IMW{Ivan M. Waller - Head of Chateauroux} c. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/RC{R. Childs} c. By/RD c. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FD{Frank Dodd - Bodies} c. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Wym{G. Harold Whyman - Experimental Manager} NEW OPEN TYPE LUCAS HEADLAMPS. I have now had the opportunity of trying these lamps with Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/RC{R. Childs} and By/RD, as fitted up for English conditions with 60 watt bulbs and adjusted by Mr. Neill of Lucas, on his recent visit, to give the best possible results. The present position as regards the criticisms raised is as follows. (1) Fluttering of reflector over bumps. This fault has not yet been cured. This should be taken up very strongly with Lucas. (2) Dust and moisture entering lamps. It has been demonstrated that on the lamps off 32-EX, the joint between the glass and the lamp case leaks water badly. We should take this up with Lucas and we should test future lamps before and after 15,000 miles test, for water tightness. (3) Interchangeability of bulbs for Continental use. The double filament marchal type bulbs for Continental use are only available with 36 watt filaments. We do not think these will be acceptable on the Continent to anybody who has accustomed themselves to the 60 watt bulbs in England. We also noted that the lamps fitted to 6-B-IV are not suitable for adoption as the locating holes for the bulb holder are not drilled in the correct position, so that the Continental bulb is not the correct way up. This should be taken up with Lucas to find the reason for these lamps being different in this respect to those on 32-EX. Regarding the appearance of the lamps, we noted that this was well received at the Motor Show and favourably commented on in the Press. It is definite that the suggestion of partially fluting the front glass to improve the spread of light must be abandoned as it would spoil the appearance. Likewise any alteration to the reflector is out of the question. continued | ||