Topic: 42 Volt Electric Systems

[Winklovic]

Are they coming or not?

http://www.canadiandriver.com/2001/05/15/auto-tech-why-42-volt-electrical-systems.htm

[tpl]

Not.   A few years after that article, which is 9 years old, M-B decided not to go ahead with 42 volt systems.
The stuff I read on them giving up did not say why.   

[No H2O]

Not.   A few years after that article, which is 9 years old, M-B decided not to go ahead with 42 volt systems.
The stuff I read on them giving up did not say why.   

How big would the battery be and how many cells?

[ovr50]

Possibly this system is not coming, BUT something has to be done to get more electrical power into today's complex vehicles. I know that BMWs and Mercedes cars struggle with the present 12V systems, as there is so much drain on the electric systems, even when the vehicle is sitting idle. Some Mercedes have 2 batteries, I recall. I keep a trickle charger on my car if it's going to sit for more than a day or two.

[No H2O]

I keep a trickle charger on my car if it's going to sit for more than a day or two.

I'm going to slip an ammeter in at the battery to see what my stand-by current drain is the next time.

[Pleem]

Yes, higher voltages are coming.  In hybrids higher voltages will allow lighter motor-generators which potentially increases vehicle efficiency and cost effectiveness; benefits too hard to resist.