jcapotos

I would love to hear some feedback / opinions and experience with the new 48 volt system. I found it incredibly smooth and quiet performance. I like the design strategy that pulled all energy consuming accessories away from the ICE and electrified them. My understanding is that the ICE is exclusive to propelling the car and the 48v systems handles everything else. I think this is a great way to transition until BEV's technology and infrastructure mature...

user 7208224

I don't know why more cars don't use 48 volt systems. The amount of wiring in a vehicle ads considerable weight. With all of the added electronics the current draws on today's 12 volt systems is much higher than just a few years ago. That requires more/larger copper wiring, thus more weight. Larger alternators.

Maybe the engineers are going to skip 48 volts as we move to hybrids and EV's where the battery voltages are even higher.

Ron.s

Maybe I don’t understand but if ICE is the internal combustion engine then the 12 volt battery is what powers all accessories along with the alternator. The 48 volt powers the EQBoost and the Stop-Start function....that’s my understanding!

GregW / Oregon

The 48V system powers the AC, steering, water pump and suspension, as well, which eliminates all belts.

fabbrisd1

And 48V is the highest DC voltage that can be serviced by a dealer/service shop without having to go to "high voltage" certification..

GregW / Oregon

Good info.

user 7208224

Is this certification something that is peculiar to the auto industry only? 125 VDC is a common voltage for DC systems in electrical plants and substations. The technicians that worked for me did not require any special certification, although we did provide on the job training.

My Lexus Hybrid uses a battery pack that is somewhere between 300-400 volts DC (I would have to check the exact number). It then uses DC-DC converters to power things like the AC. It has a very small, but expensive, battery to power the main computer. I assume that other Toyota Hybrid Drive systems are similar.

jcapotos

I believe it also powers a supercharger to eliminate turbo lag. Here is a link that describes the functionality.
https://www.motorauthority.com/news/...48-volt-system

GregW / Oregon

The electric supercharger is only in the GLE 53 at this point.

bigpern23

Good article, thanks for posting.