32 volt

[edward]

Why did Hatteras decide to use a 32 volt system ?

 

[oscarvan]

Higher voltages reduce cable size which makes a huge difference as cable runs get longer on larger boats.

Hatteras wasn't the only one to go with 32V. Many yachts in that era were 32V. I believe it kinda ended up like the VHS/Betamax story and 32V lost to 12/24/48 which makes sense, especially to the battery manufacturers.

 

[Pascal]

Bigger boats have longer wire runs and since 32v was more widely used in the 60s and 70s it was a good option compared to upsizing wires. Also, wiring wasn’t tinned back then so resistance was a little higher at lower voltage

 

[edward]

Thanks for the info!

 

[davidwigler]

Trains

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Larger diesel engines needed huge starters if they were of lower voltage as well. That's why you saw air starters on larger stuff back then.

 

[oscarvan]

That's why you saw air starters on larger stuff back then.

Still do. Watch a lot of videos about tug boats..... All running big compressors to get it going.

 

[Glory]

When a truck had a 12-71it was usually 12 volt.

 

[jmooney]

Some trucks had a series switch to double the voltage for start . I heard if it stuck on , everything else was eventually fried .

 

[Pascal]

Amps are a lot more important than voltage to crank a motor. For instance Two G31 in parallel To a 12v starter will be just as good as two G31 in series cranking a 24v starter. Where it makes a difference is voltage drop in the cables. On the MY, with Hatteras placing the batteries in the gen room resulting in longer run (especially with battery switches high up on the walls, at least on the early boats) the higher voltage is a plus.