48 volts isn't a convenient multiple of 14 volts, the charging voltage of 6 cells. The next multiple would be 56 volts, for four of the current sized 6 cell batteries. then 70 volts. Voltages below 50 volts are considered less hazardous to human health (shock hazard) than voltages above 50 volts. The big hazard with 14 or 42 volts is burn through rings or metal watch bands shorting circuits. The typical starting battery can deliver over 1000 amps when shorted and rings and metal watch bands turn into red hot limb or finger amputators. A Google search "Why 42 volts" produced 93,900 hits. Beginning with: http://www.familyhaven.com/cars/42voltsunderthehood.html http://www.autointell.com/news-2000/June-2000/June-27-00-p9.htm http://aftermarket.theautochannel.com/articles/2000/12/04/011080.html http://aftermarket.theautochannel.com/news/2000/07/27/964723971.1.html http://www.autospeed.co.nz/A_0319/page1.html http://www.dri.mcgraw-hill.com/services/industry/42volts.html http://www.bordnetzforum-42v.de/bordnetz/42v_e.html http://www.sae.org/digitalcar/42volt.htm http://www.tierone.com/newresearchn.html Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to http://www.airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html If replying back to this message, please delete all the unnecessary original text from your reply.
