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).
Lighting system failure for Chassis B-131-BL, detailing the owner's complaint, rectification, and general remarks on the cause.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 59\1\ Scan060 | |
| Date | 5th November 1934 | |
| WST ~~BY/MD Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst~~ 76045 BY/Mtn.17/N.5.11.34. Re: Chassis B-131-BL - Hon.Janet Campbell. The following is a copy of the Bentley Service Depot's report relative to the above Owner's complaint of the failure of the lighting system on the above chassis :- Owner's Complaint. "Lighting system failed when driving at night. Fuses continued to blow after replacement by local garage. Instrument board light fell out on to owner's lap at time of "black out". Rectified By: Remarks. Checking system and examining fuses. Lighting system was found to be standard. Fuses were examined and standardised. The instrument board bulb holders were tightened in their fixing mounts at the back of the instrument board. General Remarks: After investigation we can only assume that the "black out" was caused by the bulb holder of the light on the offside of the switchboard falling out of position, at the same time ( or subsequently ) coming into contact with an earth. The terminal on the end of the holder could come into contact with the steering column as the holder swings on the end of its lead owing to the motion of the car. This would have the effect of overloading the already loaded main battery fuse, due to the fact that all lights were in use at the time of the failure. These instrument lighting bulb holders are frequently a rather loose fit and it would take very little to make them fall out. The holders should be fitted in a more positive manner and the external contact would have some form of insulated protection. BY/Mtn. [Signature] | ||