Why not 12 volt?

oilleaker1 · Post by **oilleaker1** » Thu Jan 15, 2015 6:42 am

Why did the military go to 24 volt and two batteries instead of one 12 volt? More cranking amps? Radios? I'll bet Wes knows! John

Xamon · Post by **Xamon** » Thu Jan 15, 2015 9:20 am

yes to all of those plus all the other vehicles, large trucks and tanks were 24v so the jeep being the same anything can boost anything plus more parts can be cross compatible, lights, gauges, etc. At least that is my thought on it.

hillbilly21 · Post by **hillbilly21** » Thu Jan 15, 2015 3:28 pm

AND DONT FORGET ABOUT THE WATERPROOF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

oilleaker1 · Post by **oilleaker1** » Thu Jan 15, 2015 6:02 pm

You could do all that was mentioned with 12 volt I would think. Compatability with what that was already 24 volt is what I'm wondering.

oilleaker1 · Post by **oilleaker1** » Thu Jan 15, 2015 7:06 pm

I got a answer from Scout Pilot. He says that aircraft used at the time were 24 volt. Instead of using generators etc. to start or jump them, any truck or Jeep nearby could simply drive over and get things rolling. That makes sense. Question answered, Thanks Scout! John

Post by **wesk** » Thu Jan 15, 2015 9:29 pm

The big reasons were the same that aircraft went to 24 volt. And the same reasons we moved up from 6 volt to 12 volt. Weight savings since wire needed for 24 volt circuits is smaller gauge thus lighter. 24 V motors were lighter. Also Europe moved on to 24 Volts in NATO in 1947 so we followed suit in 1948. When engines were extremely hot or extremely cold they are harder to turn over. Thus the increases from 6 to 12 and then 24. 32V,s 48 V's and 50 V's has been talked about a lot the last 20 years.