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Old 11-01-2011, 10:56 AM   #18
Jerry Parr WI
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Join Date: May 2010
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Default Re: 6 Volts versus 12

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim/TX View Post
As Joe says, the basic advantage is, for any given load, you have 1/2 the amps going through the wires and switches at 12 volts compared to the current flow at 6 volts. Flowing 1/2 the current through a switch or starter motor generates 1/4 the heat. That switch will last longer. That starter motor will not get so hot so fast.
Heat is a function of watts not voltage. When you halve the current but double the voltage the watts or heat stays the same. You can reduce the wire size but then you increase the resistance cancelling the gain. The savings in a 12 volt car is in the reduced cost of the wire.
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