Ecostar Clears 42-Volt Windshield

DEARBORN, Mich.--PPG’s Sungate WeatherMaster windshield is expected to be one of the first systems utilizing 42 volts on a production vehicle. The company is using the 14V/42V DC/DC converter from Ecostar Electric Powertrain and Power Conversion Systems to provide infrared energy reflection along with automatic deicing and defogging during winter weather.

Originally developed in preparation for industry conversion to 42 volt vehicle power systems, the windshield now performs with the Ecostar converter. The device boosts the voltage to the windshield from the standard automotive 14 volts to 42 volts.

Ecostar said its converter incorporates a compact design, high efficiency, designed-in over/under voltage protection and low cost.

“By using the Ecostar 42 volt DC/DC converter, we can demonstrate the advantages of the Sungate WeatherMaster windshield in vehicles with conventional 14 volt electrical systems,” explained Peter Dishart, PPG’s automotive glass OEM market manager.

“We have been impressed by the performance of the Sungate WeatherMaster windshield and are excited at the potential of supplying production volumes of our 42 volt DC/DC converter in the near-term,” said Ross Witschonke, Ecostar’s president and chief executive officer.

Ecostar was formed in 1998 and is part of the Fuel Cell Alliance formed between Ford Motor Co., DaimlerChrysler and Ballard Power Systems. Headquartered in Dearborn, Mich., Ecostar also has offices in Germany and Canada.

For more information, contact www.evaa.org.