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waynebw (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
Just did some research on why fuel cells are so expensive... The hydrogen to electricity process needs a catalist, and the best by far is platinum. Not really any alternatives at the moment, and of course platinum is expensive. If they can make an alternative cheap, then we could simply get a 'hydrogen making station' at home...?
tribluered (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
Fuel cell is a good idea right now. It uses expensive material to build it. If we had NiMH right now, we could build much more better EVs.
waynebw (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
But storing electricity is so heavy with current technology. Hydrogen stores way more, but at a small weight. Only problem is it's expensive, but once they get past that, hydrogen will be the future. I really don't understand why a fuel cell is expensive though, its so simple :-/
terrorist420x (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
Don't know. A VW diesel would cost about $0.02/mile in maintenance over its lifetime. How heavy is this guardian-generator? A 1980s VW Rabbit diesel engine weighs about 400 lbs, which is heavy but still bordering on feasible for a hybrid car. An 800 lbs generator would certainly not be suitable, so the success of the generator you describe hinges on its weight and how much space it occupies. Then there's the cost issue.
SmokingUSA1 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
Do you think that the VW diesel engine with the set up you referred to would be cheaper to run than a 25kw-guardian-generator that runs on natural gas or propane? (I'm no genius, just wondering!)
terrorist420x (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
The OBVIO would need an extremely low drag coefficient to reach 70 mph on 5 kW. In all liklihood, it needs about 20 kW to maintain 70 mph. A better fit would be a VW Rabbit diesel engine of about 50 horsepower and an AC generator and charge controller to recharge your battery pack.
SmokingUSA1 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
XEBRA a nice start. I would like more of the future, today. Also, more than HOPE referring OBVIO + Lotus ones I was also wondering how many watts it takes to move the OBVIO at a speed of 70 MPH? I ask because I can run a 5000watt, generator for at least eight hours, on 5 gallons of gas. At 70 that seems to be pretty good gas mileage to me. I was wondering why an EVC couldn't make the windows with the solar windows and solar film into hood and roof? To me appears this getting dragged!
brannon82 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
You seem to know your stuff. I am curious then why you would think storing energy as a hydrogen fuel cell is a good idea. Not only is it highly dangerous it is very inefficient in making them. Electricity is much easier cheaper and universal. Anyone can make electricity. I did it this morning running on a treadmill.
meenjerk (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
why doesnt anybody seem to know about onboard hydrogen electrolosis?
experimental0065 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
no such thing as a hydrogen hybrid.. hydrogen fuel cells basically replace the battery pack but it's still electric one way or the other. as using an ICE with hydrogen is far less power and torque efficient by comparison |
