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"About 40 years ago automotive electrical systems moved from a 6-volt standard to 12/14 volts. Now the change to 42-volt systems - which use a 38 volt battery and 42 volt alternator output - is being proposed."

That's what this is about...the upcoming 42volt standard. I was posting in another thread about electric supercharging and thought this would be a great topic to discuss.

I have read about some of the new designs using hybrid systems like the Honda Hybrid and Toyota. But they're going much further in the upcoming designs with better batteries and higher voltages.

One article I read in Popular Science or Popular Mechanics was talking about combining the alternator and starter into one unit on the driveshaft somehow. This would start the car and also act to recharge the batteries once the car was in motion. I can't find the article or I'd give you a specific example.

I found this page today and it has a lot of interesting info about the advantages of 42v.
http://www.autospeed.co.nz/cms/A_0319/article.html

I see the most beneficial changes to us as being feasible electric supercharging, better audio/video systems, amplifier improvements, and incredible new lighting.

Here's a list of the advantages from that page:
Electric power steering - More power, improved fuel economy

Electric brakes - Redundant power supplies

Power windows, power seats, power hatchback lifts - Reduced size and mass of motors; more efficient operation

Heated catalytic converter - Lower emissions; quicker light-off time

Heating, ventilation, airconditioning blower motors and cooling fans - Greater efficiency; smaller/lighter units; flexible packaging

Mobile multimedia - More power available for video, mobile phones, navigation systems, audio amplifiers, fax machines

Electric water pumps - Improved efficiency; longer service life

Selected engine management system components (eg exhaust gas recirculation valves, ignition systems, control actuators) - Reduced size and mass; increased performance

Fuel pumps - Reduced size and mass

Heated seats - Faster heating, more efficient operation; increased power

Electric supercharging - Higher engine efficiency

Ride control systems - Improve ride, handling and vehicle stability

Brake by wire - Improved vehicle packaging and vehicle performance

Steer by wire - Enhanced performance; improved packaging; improved passive and active safety

Electromagnetic valve control - Lower emissions; optimal power; individual cylinder control; lower cost

Integrated starter/generator - Faster starts; quicker charging; design flexibility; low noise and vibration; improved fuel economy

 
Rep Power: 315

I found the info about the starter/alternator idea on that site I listed above. Here's a quote:
"However, probably the most dramatic development in alternator technology is the Integrated Starter Alternator Damper (ISAD) being developed by German company Continental ISAD Electronic Systems GmbH & Co. The ISAD combines the function of a starter motor and alternator into one assembly that is located between the engine and gearbox. ISAD is able to generate output voltages of 12, 24, or - significantly - 42 volts. The device eliminates the:

* conventional starter motor and solenoid;
* flywheel;
* conventional alternator;
* alternator pulley and belt drive system;
* and in some cases, the harmonic balancer."

One of the big advantages I see, if internal combustion engines are still being used, is the lack of many belt-driven accessories that drain engine horsepower. That is some cool sh*t!

 
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Very very interesting stuff you found there man!

 
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I like the idea of removing the parasitic belt losses. Under normal driving conditions the electrical system can pull energy off of the drivetrain. However, under WOT, the system would take nothing. This could (in some cars) be like adding roughly 25 Horsepower.

With all of the weight saving mentioned above, we could see a VERY dramatic perfomance increase in even economy cars.

 
Rep Power: 403

sweet we wont have to worry any more about our systems barley working on our crappy electrical systems...