|
|
mike hammer
User
Apr 12, 2008, 4:12 AM
Post #1 of 3
(1621 views)
|
|
car voltage output
|
Sign In
|
|
I am asking a general question about cars, that question is , is a car battery 12 volts and is the output from an alternator 12 volts as well. in addition all the dozens of small motors in a car such as washer pump, wiper motor, car stereo and heater fan all designed to run on 12 volt power or is there some other converter or inverter in the car other than the fuses that regulate the amount of power directed to these components. thank you.
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 12, 2008, 5:56 AM
Post #2 of 3
(1617 views)
|
|
Re: car voltage output
|
Sign In
|
|
12 volt items will operate on 12-15volt +or- a bit Direct Current. Alternator puts out up to close to 15v when running. All the 12v items will tolerate a range close to mentioned, motors, lighting etc. Specific items will be altered at the item as needed and there are few times you would need to know just how much and why for all intents and purposes.
The automotive standard is 12V Negative, Ground when discussing it. Items intended for the range can blow if they get much over the 15V mentioned. A regulator at the alternator or in the system prevents higher voltage outputs.
There were 6volt systems now about obsolete and there are 24volt systems in certain applications for some vehicles - mostly large tractors. General automotive everything since about 1956 is called a 12volt system and will use negative ground. That is all what you should be dealing with.
If you have something different just say and folks here can help,
T
|
|
| |
|
|
DanD
Veteran
/ Moderator
Apr 12, 2008, 6:05 AM
Post #3 of 3
(1616 views)
|
|
Re: car voltage output
|
Sign In
|
|
Yes 90% of today’s automotive vehicles use a 12 volt DC (direct current), negative ground systems. Which means that all of the devices that you mentioned run/uses/require 12 volts DC to operate.
My next statement only addresses the type of devices that you asked about. Not computer or electronic items such as sensors; they use a 5volt reference voltage; that is stepped down from 12 volts by the computer’s internal converters; or the ignition coil that steps up voltage from 12 volts to 60, 80 or a 100 thousand volts.
That being said; there are no transformers that change the system voltage; everything is based on 12 volts. You should be able to place a voltmeter anywhere on the positive side of a circuit and it will or should read approximately system voltage.
Why I say system voltage, is that the 12 volts is based on two volts per battery cell, 6 cells per battery. But a fully charged “12 volt” battery may read anywhere from 13 to 15.5 volts. How we come to call it a 12 volt system is that the standing state (not being charged or being used) the battery will hold 12 volts.
How things like the brightness of lights or fan speeds are controlled is by adding or removing resistance to a circuit, limiting current flow (amperage); voltage is the (or should be), the only constant.
Picture a water hose connected to a tap (battery) that has 12 pounds of water pressure (voltage) running through it. You pinch the hose adding resistance to the flow (amperage) of water; the pressure is the same in the hose as the tap but less water now comes out the end of the hose (dimmer lights or slower fan speed).
We could go on with all the variables but how deep do you want to get into you question?
Dan.
Canadian "EH"
(This post was edited by DanD on Apr 12, 2008, 6:24 AM)
|
|
| |
|
| | |
|
Auto Repair Home
SEARCH
WHO'S 
LOG 
mdma pills for sale : WhatsApp +33758633852
Drive Shaft Repair
2006 Toyoto Camry XLE Driver Side Electric Window Trouble
Grounding Cable, 2017 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk
equipment
