EGON 48V Revolution

THE COMPLETE 48V EGON SYSTEM

TO BUILD an operational 48V system you will need the following products. In this list, only the alternator and battery are optional should you prefer to source them elsewhere. Other branded DC-DC converters or alternator controllers are NOT compatible with the Egon 48V hub. 

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This page stakes our claim that EGON's 48V architecture is “Not Evolution. It’s Revolution.”

In our minds, if this was just evolution it might be a smarter, more powerful 12V alternator and DC-DC charger combination to improve charge rates and reduce losses inherent in the DNA of 12V. That’s not over the horizon thinking.

The Revolution we are talking of means the complete overthrow of the dynasties created by the reigning champions of 12V. Because simply put, 12V just cannot do what 48V can do. Physics prevents it. And even the few 48V systems available have been dealt a body blow because of their mind-numbing complexities and unreliability, not helped by companies selling this kit not supporting their customer base to their satisfaction.

So it’s time now, with the early versions of the Egon 48V architecture being fitted to customer’s vehicles, for the system to be explained. These first 48V systems have been fitted for the lucky few who did not want to wait to have this in their rigs, that they were happy to be a for a short while, a tailless South American rodent.

The system comprises these components: 

Because I know how curious you are, these components deserve explanation.

48V alternator

Converting voltage up is extremely lossy. Down, isn’t. So we start with 48V as the main charging component. They are the same size and cost a little more than a high-output 12V alternator and are available for most vehicles but not all. We began with alternators for Toyota 2,8 & 3.0D4D and 4,5 V8, Isuzu Dmax, Sprinter and more. There is also a generic alternative that can be fitted to other engines via a Ram Air installation kit. So, in reality, 48V alternators can be fitted easily to almost all vehicles, either in tandem with the OE alternator or as a second alternator.

Wakespeed alternator controller

Wakespeed is the controller of choice. It controls the alternator and presides over its operation. For example, it governs current depending on the battery’s needs and the temperature of the alternator. It is shipped with a harness and Victron Cerbo GX for control and monitoring.

48V-12V converters

These replace DC-DC chargers in normal systems, and are solid state, one third the cost of a DC-DC, and extremely reliable. Two are needed if part of the house system still relies on 12V. The second can also act as a spare, and this is important because the primary one feeds the car/truck its 12/24V needs. It also serves to charge the start battery. They can handle 100A @12V, 50A @ 24V. That’s as big as the biggest 12V DC-DC charger - but for under $400.

Victron Cerbo GX

Setting up the system and monitoring battery charge is done using the familiar Victron device which is also linked by Bluetooth to the Victron App - one of the best in the business. CanBus connects it, but is the only digital part of the EGON system.

48V battery

Any 48V battery will work. We will offer Egon-Certified batteries because they have been pre-configured for the system we offer. But, if another battery is used, we supply free configuration tables with the system. No sweat. 

Simplicity and protection

The EGON DC-Hub 48V has outputs that enable a max 6kW inverter to be connected. Plus 2x80A connections for charging a trailer. In the language of 12V, that’s 2x320A each! Also, built into the hub are a few critical part of this system. Not only does the hub reduce the wiring to a simple follow-the numbers task, it also protects every component connected via the inbuilt load-dump protector. It also has a built-in shunt. No need for a Victron shunt if a smart battery is used. 

Blistering charge rates to tow vehicle and caravan

We’ve spoken a lot about the advantages of 48V in the past, but suffice to say, imagine charging a battery of 400a/h (in 12V language), 1%-99% in just one hour of driving! All the while, a towed caravan still with its 12V installation, receives a higher rate of charge while idling than one can get from shore power! Say goodbye to soft charging rates. Say goodbye to shore power. Its just not needed any more. Egon 48V means is real off-grid motoring.

What about cost?

Less costly that a high-end Redarc-based system, and a little more than a high-end Victron 12V system. A comprehensive cost comparison can be found HERE

Built-in redundancies

Some very bad press regarding 48V hit YouTube early 2025, where a 48V system using a system out of Queensland broke, could not be fixed, and resulted in widespread distrust of 48V. We do not want to disparage another products, suffice to say, while they are also 48V-based, this is where the similarity ends. The two systems work totally differently. 

The EGON system has built in redundancy never seen before in 48V or even 12V.

·       CanBus failure means monitoring will be curtailed, and will be nothing more than a minor inconvenience. It doesn’t significantly affect charging efficiency should it go down.

·       An alternator failure means the charge can then taken over by solar alone. One can continue driving and if you have 250W of solar, it might be no more than a minor inconvenience.

·       The 48V-12V chargers replace DC-DC charging in 12V. There are connections for two of them, solid-state, these things almost never fail.

·       The EGON architecture is based on our proven board-based technology. It’s almost all analogue, undemanding, point-and-shoot, and has proven far more trustworthy than traditional wiring systems. It just works.

·       What about preventing a 48V system being accidentally plugged into a 12V system. We will soon offer a new specialized sealed high-current plug systems, like an Andersen but without its corrosion issues, but intentionally not Andersen compatible.

Toyota's mild hybrid 48V system

While we are working on the great idea of using Toyota's OE 48V alternator, its far more complex than it first appeared. So, at this time, the Egon 48V system is not compatible with Toyota's 48V hybrid system.

Safety

48V is considered 'ultra low voltage' under Australian legislation, so like 12V, one does not need special qualifications to work with it.  Andrew and Heiner demonstrate its safety in this video: WATCH NOW

Basic system layout:

What else?

The testing period on five vehicles is now complete and after almost 20 months of work, we have launched the complete ready to install system (May 2026). We’ve been obsessed with research and testing, having already driven across Australia twice in our HiAce, once the easy way and back through the Red Centre. The system has worked close to flawlessly. Most of our updates have had to do with making installation even easier, and we've had amazing feedback from the workshops in Victoria and NSW who were involved as early adopters.

For enquiries about 48V, please feel free to ask any questions you have. Please use this form: https://egon.com.au/pages/contact

Watch these videos and get the full picture of EGON 48V architecture in use:

To find specific questions, the above video is indexed. These can be accessed via the YouTube channel. Just click the YouTube logo on the screen and a new window will open with the index displayed at the bottom of the screen. 

00:00 intro 00:38 48V challenge 02:02 Alternators 03:04 Will 48V work for my car? 03:44 Cost 05:28 Reliability 08:46 Alternators type 10:18 Solar 11:26 Will my solar work? 12:38 Charging caravans & trailers 19:41 48V winch 21:37 Launch dates

Launch May 30, 2026

SAFETY: