Audi cranks up power to 48 volts

[jdbob]

Crank it up to 300V like ours and I'll be impressed. Still have a conventional 12V system like ours. I remember the electronics trade magazines back in the 90's (or was it the 80's?) were full of articles about autos going to a 36V system for everything. Guess that never happened.

 

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/motoring/news/article.cfm?c_id=9&objectid=11314532

 

[wab]

I thought it was going to be 24v.

Found this.

 

"In automobiles, a 42-volt electrical system was an electrical power standard proposed in the late 1990s. It was intended to allow more powerful electrically driven accessories, and lighter automobile wiring harnesses. Electric motors were proposed to be used for power steering or other systems, providing more compact installations and eliminating the weight of drive belts or large wires for high-current loads."

"The SAE discussed an increased automobile standard voltage as early as 1988.^"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/42-volt_electrical_system

 

and this, interesting

"Whatever Happened to the 42-Volt Car?

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/4226979

[TopherTheME]

Its about time someone took the intiative in doing this. I guess it took 48V stop-start systems to change peoples minds.

[ptjones]

Its about time someone took the intiative in doing this. I guess it took 48V stop-start systems to change peoples minds.

Probably came down to the cost of changing everything.  Airplanes have been using 28v systems for 15years or so. :)

 

Paul

[obob]

I would think, more volts, greater chance of fire in a crash.

[ptjones]

I would think, more volts, greater chance of fire in a crash.

The Higher the voltage the smaller the wire and less weight and cost. You probably can't get electricuted at 48v. :) 

 

Paul  

[TopherTheME]

The Higher the voltage the smaller the wire and less weight and cost. You probably can't get electricuted at 48v. :)

 

Paul  

 

You can, it just isn't lethal. High voltage DC is considered 60VDC and higher in which case a whole bunch of design and bureaucratic requirements come into place driving up cost. This is why golf carts never use higher than 48V systems.

[Kunari]

I too remember reading the articles about the 48V future of cars in the early 90's.  Reading the "Whatever Happened to the 42-Volt Car?" linked above, it seems like most of the issues have been designed around.