TECH TIPS FOR AUGUST, 1999

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD? WOULDN'T IT BE NICE TO BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT WAS COMING? WELL, HERE'S A QUICK LOOK INTO THE FUTURE ABOUT 10 YEARS. THE ARTICLE COPIED HERE IS FROM THE DETROIT FREE PRESS AND RE©PRINTED WITH THEIR PERMISSION, SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS ARTICLE. FOR ABOUT 15 YEARS THERE HAS BEEN A RUMOUR THAT SOONER OR LATER THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY WOULD BE FORCED TO MOVE TO A HIGHER VOLTAGE.

THE REASON IS THAT THE 12VT. SYSTEM IS TOPPED OUT. WITHOUT GOING TO CABLES THE SIZE OF YOUR THUMB, THE INDUSTRY IS LOOKING AT THE TOP END OF THE SYSTEM. NO MATTER HOW YOU SLICE IT OR DICE IT, AMPS TIMES VOLTS EQUAL WATTS, AND A WIRE CAN CARRY ONLY SO MANY OF THEM. FOR ALL INTENTS WE ARE AT THE EXTREME TOP END OF THE 12VT SYSTEM. ABOUT 2250 WATTS OR 175 AMPS IS NEARLY ALL YOU CAN DO REASONABLY. IF THE SAME SYSTEM WERE USING 42VT, THAT 2500 WATTS WOULD ONLY BE 59.5 AMPS. THIS LEAVES A LOT OF ROOM FOR EXPANSION.

THE ARTICLE IS SELF EXPLANATORY AND BEARS CAREFUL READING. WHILE READING IT KEEP IN MIND THAT CURRENT CARS HAVE A LIFE SPAN OF 17 YEARS AND THIS 42VT SYSTEM WILL PROBABLY NOT BE IN COMMON USE FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS. FOR US OLD FOGGIES IT WILL NOT BE A MAJOR THING, BUT FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE THE ANSWER IS, "GET EDUCATED AND KEEP EDUCATING" OR FALL BEHIND AND CHOSE ANOTHER LINE OF WORK. IF YOU DO HEAVY DUTY AND THINK THIS WON'T EFFECT YOU, GUESS AGAIN! THE HEAVY DUTY INDUSTRY WILL EMBRACE THIS AS QUICKLY IF NOT MORE QUICKLY THAN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY. FROM A WEIGHT SAVINGS STAND POINT ALONE, THIS IS CUSTOM MADE FOR HEAVY DUTY.