Re: fuel cell as auxilary power?

[jklein <jklein@hpower.com>]

 Hello,
  Here at the office (H-Power), we are using this concept as a way to
(hopefully) make an affordable fuel cell system for a car. We are using a
soletra with a 5 killowatt stack. The idea is to use the batteries at time s
of high load, then recharge them at the same time. Since a motor (just like a
car) is using the most energy during increasing load (accelerating, starting,
hill climbing) the batteries will supply the high current. During steady state
operation (cruising, stopped, deceleration) the fuel cell will have enough
capacity to exceed the load on the batteries, so it will charge them and run
the motor. This set up allows for a much smaller stack, instant start (turn
key and go), and less complicated controls.
     We will have this vehicle in the Tour De Sol.

Joe Klein
Process Technologist
H-Power Corp.

klynn@santacruz.org wrote:

> I've been checking out the use of fuel cells (between 5 and 10kW) for use
> as auxilary power and battery charging within vehicles.
>
> One example of someone doing this would be Rutgers Venturer
> (http://www.civeng.rutgers.edu/venturer/)..
>
> I'm wondering if there's anyone else here interested in talking about
> using fuel cells for a FC/battery hybrid.. or anyone that has tried it.
>
> I've managed to find a good source of hydrogen that I feel could be safely
> stored onboard a vehicle so I'm real interested in this possibility.
>
> Kevin Lynn