Light CV batteries move to 36V
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• The days of the 12V standard for light vehicle electrical systems are numbered. Following a recent agreement by European and American vehicle and electrical equipment suppliers, the standard will move to 36V batteries and a 42V generator output in 2002. The reason for the change is to reduce the weight of the heavy-duty motors and wiring looms needed to cope with the demands of present and impending high-specification vehicles,
It is estimated the change will result in a 25% reduction in the overall weight of vehicles' electrical componentry. The change is also likely to create an opportunity for an increase in the use of multiplexing systems such as CAN bus, where digital switching signals are sent around the vehicle via a single circuit to operate electrical components. However, one potential problem area of the higher voltage system is lighting, Two solutions exist; highintensity discharge lamps (though their cost is still high), or—more likelydual-battery systems with both 12V and 36V supplies. ) Mercedes-Benz is said to be developing electronically actuated valvegear, initially for use on a low-volume V8 car engine in 2002. Such a system has not been possible with 12V due to the size of the actuators needed.