Methanol fuel cells

[mechsympathy]

Anyone know anything about these? ( This kind of thing) As in how reliable they are and whether there's the next generation just round the corner. I'm after a quiet power source for my camper.

[mechsympathy]

No?

[s2art]

25watt output doesnt seem like very much. Couldnt you get a small generator for a lot less?

[dilbert]

Strangely, because of another thread, I was looking at an article on a diesel fuel cell earlier. Apparently it was the first fuel cell not to require hydrogen. A bit old now, but I'd guess a precursor to this methanol one.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/09/01090...

Edited by dilbert on Thursday 7th August 16:31

[mechsympathy]

s2art said:

25watt output doesnt seem like very much. Couldnt you get a small generator for a lot less?

Yep, but the quiet ones are still too loud to be acceptable all night in the paddock and are 1k or more.

[s2art]

mechsympathy said:

s2art said:

25watt output doesnt seem like very much. Couldnt you get a small generator for a lot less?

Yep, but the quiet ones are still too loud to be acceptable all night in the paddock and are 1k or more.

The only way the fuel cell works is if you use its feeble output to charge up a few batteries over several hours. You could do that with a generator during the day. Second hand gennies are fairly cheap.

[mechsympathy]

s2art said:

The only way the fuel cell works is if you use its feeble output to charge up a few batteries over several hours. You could do that with a generator during the day. Second hand gennies are fairly cheap.

Valid point They're pretty pants really. Ho hum, back to the drawing board.