The industry is actually going toward a 42 volt standard soon, not 24 (too bad, all those military and construction vehicles would have it made). The change is being made due to the vastly increased demands being put on the electrical systems of modern cars. Used to, your average car could get away with 6 or 12 volts-they only had a few accesories to deal with, and most of the power was consumed by the ignition system. Now you've got distributorless, multiple coil ignitions, ECM's, TCM's, electric fuel pumps and injectors, ABS/TC/VS systems, HVAC systems, navigation systems, multichannel high power CD changer stereos, alarms, electric windows, mirrors, heated/cooled/lumbar supported(with memory)seats, locks, power tilt/telescoping steering columns, HUD's,-geez, I could go forever. Is it any wonder batteries don't seem to last as long as they used to? They gotta start the car, run all this crap while hopefuly getting enough current from the alternator to maintain thier charge, AND provide enough power for all the things that continue to suck current even after the car's shut off and just sitting there-all while only being able to supply 12 volts. The more things attached to a circuit of a fixed voltage that draw power from it, the more current the power source (in this case, the battery) has to supply-which in this case, means the faster the battery will discharge. Going to a higher standard voltage system will enable vehicle desginers to lower the current draw of many components-but it's REALLY gonna screw up the after market parts industry. In the meantime, check your grounds, clean your terminals, and make sure the regulator isn't allowing the alternator to overcharge your battery-anything over 14 volts will boil the electrolyte out of your battery (well, wet cells, anyway.) Optima dry cells are WONDERFUL-you can mount them upside down, shoot a hole in them, and they will STILL crank over and start a hot, 11.5:1 big block Chevy. Technology CAN be your friend.
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Clay Mcguill
www.geocities.com/the912guy