MurrayM
Guru
Fuel cells; is their time coming soon, or is it already here?
They are starting to look interesting, because our boat has modest electrical needs and a fuel cell combined with solar panels and maybe a small wind turbine would allow us stay at anchor for extended periods of time and/or stay out in remote areas of the coast longer without having to come in for fuel.
They are fully automatic...would fire up when the solar panels and wind turbine can't keep up and the batteries go down to a 50% charge, then stay on until the batteries are charged. Some have adjustible set points for them to turn off and on.
They are essentially silent, and fit in tight spaces.
No need for a cooling water through hull.
Some of the interesting rabbit holes I've been falling through lately:
EFOY Pro (methanol, available in Europe & North America, proprietary fuel cartridges) EFOY Pro and Accessories | Ensol Systems
EFOY Comfort (smaller fuel cell than pro)
http://www.efoy-comfort.com/which-model
Acumentrics (propane, available in US) Fuel Cell Generators - Acumentrics
Truma VeGA (propane...dealer installed, Europe only) VeGA benefits, tips and answers
WATT Fuel Cell (propane, kerosene...in development) Watt Fuel Cell
Merlin Python (diesel...in development) http://www.merlinpowersystems.com/products/fuel-cell-generator/
Acumetrics vs Honda 3000i (according to Acumentrics) http://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/pdfs/review14/h2ra005_bessette_2014_o.pdf
SOFC's (Review Article) Frontiers | Fabrication Methods and Performance in Fuel Cell and Steam Electrolysis Operation Modes of Small Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: A Review | Fuel Cells
SOFC's (Nature) Micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cell based on a porous yttria-stabilized zirconia support : Scientific Reports : Nature Publishing Group
They are starting to look interesting, because our boat has modest electrical needs and a fuel cell combined with solar panels and maybe a small wind turbine would allow us stay at anchor for extended periods of time and/or stay out in remote areas of the coast longer without having to come in for fuel.
They are fully automatic...would fire up when the solar panels and wind turbine can't keep up and the batteries go down to a 50% charge, then stay on until the batteries are charged. Some have adjustible set points for them to turn off and on.
They are essentially silent, and fit in tight spaces.
No need for a cooling water through hull.
Some of the interesting rabbit holes I've been falling through lately:
EFOY Pro (methanol, available in Europe & North America, proprietary fuel cartridges) EFOY Pro and Accessories | Ensol Systems
EFOY Comfort (smaller fuel cell than pro)
http://www.efoy-comfort.com/which-model
Acumentrics (propane, available in US) Fuel Cell Generators - Acumentrics
Truma VeGA (propane...dealer installed, Europe only) VeGA benefits, tips and answers
WATT Fuel Cell (propane, kerosene...in development) Watt Fuel Cell
Merlin Python (diesel...in development) http://www.merlinpowersystems.com/products/fuel-cell-generator/
Acumetrics vs Honda 3000i (according to Acumentrics) http://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/pdfs/review14/h2ra005_bessette_2014_o.pdf
SOFC's (Review Article) Frontiers | Fabrication Methods and Performance in Fuel Cell and Steam Electrolysis Operation Modes of Small Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: A Review | Fuel Cells
SOFC's (Nature) Micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cell based on a porous yttria-stabilized zirconia support : Scientific Reports : Nature Publishing Group
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