Green Options » 42-volt systems http://greenoptions.com/tag/42-volt-systems Posts tagged '42-volt systems' Fri, 07 Mar 2008 05:15:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en 6-Volts to 42-Volts: Progress in an Electric World http://gas2.org/2008/03/07/12-volts-to-42-volts-progress-in-an-electric-world/ http://gas2.org/2008/03/07/12-volts-to-42-volts-progress-in-an-electric-world/#comments Fri, 07 Mar 2008 05:15:39 +0000 Max Lindberg http://gas2.org/2008/03/07/12-volts-to-42-volts-progress-in-an-electric-world/ 1939studebakercommande4doorsedan-mx.jpgMy, how electrical systems for internal combustion engines have changed in the last century. Of course, we all know electricity is a necessity, because it’s an electrical spark that ignites the gasoline that makes the motor run.

The very first automotive electrical system was fired by a magneto, a simple device that requires no battery. Simply stated, the engine spins a magnet inside a coil, which creates electricity. A contact breaker, or switch, controls the release of electricity to the spark plug, creating a spark to ignite the fuel making the piston(s) go up and down accordingly.

As a matter of fact, to this very day, piston-driven motors such as those found in lawnmowers, chainsaws, and snowblowers, to name a few, all have a magneto creating the spark that drives the engine. Magnetos are used on a variety of aircraft. A single-engine plane would have two magnetos, for safety and an extra power boost to save fuel.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://gas2.org/2008/03/07/12-volts-to-42-volts-progress-in-an-electric-world/feed/