New Electrical System
Some of you might have heard about the emerging 42-volt system scheduled for production in the next few years. Developers are working with carmakers to develop systems that will be considered for use.
As of now there are two different 42-volt systems, a single 42-volt system and a 14/42-volt system. Both systems will provide solutions to the increasing demand for power and allow for added electrical loads as well as open the door for new technologies. The 42-volt system will probably make its first appearance as a 14/42-volt system. The dual system is better in that it will allow the conversion to the new system to happen gradually and minimize the cost of the conversion.
Some of the systems already in the car won't change for quite awhile. Certain systems actually work better at the lower voltage. Things like spark plugs and certain sensors won't really benefit from the increased voltage, and standard automotive incandescent lighting works best in the 12 to 14-volt range. There are several possibilities for the generation and storage of the single and dual systems.
The most common will have an air or liquid cooled generator that will produce a voltage of 42 volts and about 5 to 10 kilowatts of electricity at the center. From that point there may be a DC-to-DC converter to convert 42-volts to 14-volts and two batteries, a 36-volt battery and a 12-volt battery. The vehicle systems will be tied to the appropriate battery. In another proposed system there is a 12/36 dual voltage battery. Now you're probably confused about the 36 and 42-volt relationship. We know that in the 12 volt system the nominal voltage is 14 volts. The 42-volt system is increased by a factor of three. So 12-volts x 3 +36-volts, 14-volts x 3 = 42-volts.
No matter what the system, it is important to realize that there is no standardization, at least not at this time. The choice will be up to the particular carmaker, which should allow for some creativity and innovations.
