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March 10, 2007 - 5:03am
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Keeping it LIVE 240V conservation
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This is indeed one of the cool things about higher voltage, smaller gauge wire is necessary.
There are efforts under way to make cars with 48v electrical systems rather than 12v. This would make the wiring smaller and would allow more current capability to run all the gadgets we love in cars. In cars the issue is designing connectors, etc., that have a low chance of arcing as 48v can jump much further than 12v. Fortunately we have plenty of good 240v connectors so this is not an issue in audio.
Yes, I have read that automotive electrical systems are going up in voltage, due to so many electrical devices in cars from entertainment, control ckts...wiring is getting too heavy in cars, and EXPENSIVE. I have read in my Audi service manual, guess what is THE most expensive component to mfg. in a car?......the wiring harnesses, it said it takes 1.5 hours to assemble an engine!!! 5 hours to make the harneses...all the special connectors, routings, wiring does matter, in real conditions. More and more integrated moduls lessen wiries. 48V is coming to cars, less current for the same power needed. Philips is working on this too big time. along with many others making it a standard, wonder why 48....6 went to 12, now 48. This is off subject...BUT not really cus' car stereos are effected too.
Five hours to make the harness? Wow.
For car audio the higher voltage would be great. Those incredibly heavy cable runs could be made much smaller gauge.