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).
Brooklands radiator tests, whittle fan belt performance, and the cooling capabilities of the Phantom II.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 29\3\ Scan260 | |
| Date | 31th July 1930 | |
| S/W. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 8788 To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. to R.{Sir Henry Royce} [crossed out] c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} [crossed out] c. to PN.{Mr Northey} [crossed out] Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}4/D31.7.30. Re: Brooklands Radiator Tests and Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}2/MJ.22.7.30 and Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rml/MJ.9.7.30. The latter report on page 2 says: "We confirmed our previous result that the standard spring loaded whittle belt is incapable of driving the fan satisfactorily at high speeds". The whittle belt referred to therein is, I understand, still our standard fitting on production. Apparently there is a recommended alternative in the endless belt which it is suggested should be run choc-a-bloc, but I am not clear whether its use has been definitely agreed to. It says on page 6 that the standardisation sheet is in course of circulation, but the point that interests me most is the statement that the standard article we are using is incapable of driving the fan satisfactorily at high speeds, which is, of course, when it is most wanted from a cooling point of view. In regard to the comparative tests made and referred to in the second report, this does not indicate if the Phantom II was used with:- (1) The whittle belt adjusted in the standard way; (2) The whittle belt adjusted choc-a-bloc; (3) The new type canvas belt. I should be glad of information on this point. The report states that the tests were made because of the apprehension which exists that the Left-Hand Phantom II will not compare favourably for cooling with the average American car. I am not quite sure where this apprehension arose, but the point I have had in mind since my visit to America, and arising out of the 10,000 mile reports of 24-EX. running in France, was whether the Phantom II was adequately cooled to enable it to perform satisfactorily. The 10,000 mile reports referred to indicated quite clearly that in hot weather in France temperatures of 97°, 98° and 100° were reached fairly easily. The American cars cost an infinitesimal amount of the price of a Rolls-Royce car and we know are incapable of such | ||