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).
Investigating and resolving misfires on the 20-HP battery ignition system by fitting a special ballast.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 54\5\ Scan311 | |
| Date | 17th December 1928 | |
| BY. {R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. HHE. c. HX. X5680 EP {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} 6/H17.12.28. re. 20-HP. BATTERY IGNITION. X5680 X7720 It appears to have been established on 20-HP. chassis on test that the battery ignition is a little on the weak side. We have had occasional cases where misfires have taken place when picking up at low speed full throttle. A bad case of this was recently investigated and was not cured by interchanging the various ignition units, but when fitting a special ballast, as supplied by EFC. {E. Fowler Clarke - Electrical Engineer} it was found to be completely cured. EFC. {E. Fowler Clarke - Electrical Engineer} undertook to take this matter up with you and have this type of ballast standardised. We shall be glad if you can give this matter your urgent attention, as we have realised this weakness for some time, but have only recently had a case which has been sufficiently and consistently bad to investigate. EP. {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} | ||