36 volt systems what are the pros and cons
 

having paid a visit to a reputable engine tuner this week,he told me that within the next two years, all new cars would have a 36 volt system, as the present 12 volt system can not cope with all the electical load of all the accesories now being fitted.
i know hgv,s have a 24 volt system, but what will the drawbacks be to car owners i wonder?
comments please on this topic, no doubt there will be a good response.
regards
paul

RE: 36 volt systems what are the pros and con
 

Sounds a bit weird, means that the batteries would have to be huge, or else with very small cells. Could make sense I suppose, 'cos its not the low voltage that is the prob with car electrics, its the nasty thing voltage drop and I suppose that a higher voltage would be less sensitive to voltage drop.

Andy

RE: 36 volt systems what are the pros and con
 

Not to mention less current for the same power, lower rated fuses and relays, motors etc. Just think, starting your car with about 75Amps instead of 300Amps plus!!

All the best, Peter.

RE: 36 volt systems what are the pros and con
 

If they make it run on 240v, that would slove so many accessory problems :) no more car fridges, etc....and I could plug both my 2.5kW power amps straight in instead of having to buy a 12v car amp...!

ok, so it would still need inverting....and the battery would be enormous....but its a nice idea, eh?

cheers

James

RE: 36 volt systems what are the pros and con
 

They used to do something similar to your proposal. They called them tramcars and trolleybuses.

All the best, Peter.

RE: 36 volt systems what are the pros and con
 

They still do, Peter - they call them diesel-electric locomotives

RE: 36 volt systems what are the pros and con
 

Except that they have 6000-odd HP, and run at upto 100kV!

cheers

James

RE: 36 volt systems what are the pros and con
 

...well, nobody's perfect...

RE: 36 volt systems what are the pros and con
 

Yeah and 0-60 in about 10 minutes, top of 125 mph though LOL

Andy


Seriously though, don't some cars have this facility already, a low current 240V supply or am I dreaming?

RE: 36 volt systems what are the pros and con
 

Yeah - I think youre right. My mates ford galaxy has a pair of (12v) cigar lighter sockets in the back, but im sure that some others have 240v feeds.

cheers

James