Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bike

[Caph]

I was back at Powered Bicycles last weekend getting my Galileo sorted and got the scoop on a couple of interesting developments.

Firstly here's a working model of a hydrogen fuel cell fitted to the 'Lion' electric folder. Not for sale unfortunately before any of you turn up with your cheque books at the ready! There's a couple more photos of it on the Powered Bicycles gallery (choose "Hydrogen Cell Lion Electric Bike" from the drop-down) if anyone's interested.

All we need now is a breakthrough in hyrodgen production and £300 battery replacement costs every three years will become a thing of the past. Here's hoping.

Secondly, the City Thunder (the Wisper style bike) is getting approved for the upcoming EU law adoption and it looks like it could be getting a new torque sensor crank fitted that is currently going through its final tests. This was the other bike I considered getting before I decided on the Galileo. I had a quick test ride on a torque controlled bike while I was there and it takes a bit of getting used to - I felt like Superman when I pedalled a bit harder! It makes gear changing easier though with not having to worry about a thumb/twist-grip throttle.

 

[Straylight]

Fantastic - I like the tyres on the thing too, doubt you'd ever get a puncture with those

Now I wonder how much BOC charge for a tank of gas, as unless you live in California, it's a long ride to the 'local' filling station

Seroiusly though it'd be intersting to get some specs re: power to weight, range, and the clincher - cost effectiveness.

 

[Caph]

I didn't think about asking for details, I think I was a bit shocked at seeing a working fuel cell bike! I'll try and find out some specs the next time I'm in.

 

[Sir_Bob]

How does this fuel cell bikes work then? do you need a licence to work them?

thx

Bob

 

[flecc]

Probably not Bob. The fuel cell is basically a form of battery, not charged with electricity but with either methane or hydrogen. Those can be reacted with a catalyst in the fuel cell to produce electricity. In fact the NiMh batteries we used to have are a form of closed loop fuel cell, containing their own hydrogen.
.

 

[Caph]

Bob, the hydrogen fuel cell runs on hydrogen as its fuel and produces water as its exhaust emissions. Since it generates electricity it can replace your lithium ion battery and power a standard electric bike.

If hydrogen was cheap and readily available we'd all be switching over and laughing at how we used to buy expensive batteries every few years, but unfortunately it's expensive and not readily available.

This may well change in the future though and if it does electric biking will become a heck of a lot cheaper. I'm not sure about how much electricity can be produced by how much hydrogen though, I'll try and find out. We could well end up with hydrogen powered electric bikes that can do 100 miles on a single tank of hydrogen costing a few pence.

We can dream anyway!

 

[Alex728]

what happens if you are unlucky enough to prang the bike or there is a technical failure of some sort? its looks like you would literally get a rocket up your behind and it would be far from a pleasant experience..

 

[tillson]

I think hydrogen can explode in concentrations of as little as 10% by volume.

 

[eddieo]

Not sure how hydrogen powers a bike but hydrogen battery generators have been available for motohomes for a while now, as an alternative to traditional noisy deisel/petrol ones. The EFOY is expensive but it don't seem to be stopping some going for them...There are a few owners over on the motorhome forum I frequent. Hydrogen power is on the way. delivery of spare hydrogen is expensive because of the safety implications of the fuel

Power on the move - Efoy fuel cells for quiet, reliable power anywhere. DETAILS FOR ALL MODELS




Some light relief:

YouTube - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros live @ KCRW

And here is a breath of fresh air in a troubled world.......they are playing this afternoon in Victoria Park, Hackney .

 

[Mussels]

I think hydrogen can explode in concentrations of as little as 10% by volume.

It needs to be in a low concentration to be very explosive, pure hydrogen burns but is not explosive IIRC.

 

[Tiberius]

Not sure how hydrogen powers a bike but hydrogen battery generators have been available for motohomes for a while now, as an alternative to traditional noisy deisel/petrol ones. The EFOY is expensive but it don't seem to be stopping some going for them...There are a few owners over on the motorhome forum I frequent. Hydrogen power is on the way. delivery of spare hydrogen is expensive because of the safety implications of the fuel

Power on the move - Efoy fuel cells for quiet, reliable power anywhere. DETAILS FOR ALL MODELS

Just had a quick look at that. You know someone is fudging it when they start using strange units - in this case its Watt-hours per day.

They are methanol fuel cells, and presumably you have to pay over the odds for a special methanol cartridge instead of buying it as ordinary fuel. Scrolling down to some real data reveals these things are very low power output and rely on running continuously to top up the motorhome battery.

So not suitable for an e-bike.

Nick

PS Eddio, I'm currently writing a book on all the daft things people try to sell to motorhome owners, like special toilet paper. You've given me another page.

 

[eddieo]

Just had a quick look at that. You know someone is fudging it when they start using strange units - in this case its Watt-hours per day.

They are methanol fuel cells, and presumably you have to pay over the odds for a special methanol cartridge instead of buying it as ordinary fuel. Scrolling down to some real data reveals these things are very low power output and rely on running continuously to top up the motorhome battery.

So not suitable for an e-bike.

Nick

PS Eddio, I'm currently writing a book on all the daft things people try to sell to motorhome owners, like special toilet paper. You've given me another page.

I was not suggesting strapping one to the rear rack.........

Yep my mistake, it is methanol powered not Hydrogen. It is a 12 v charger which relatively silently and automatically cuts in and recharges vans leisure batteries when the power drops. As most vans now have hefty inverters and a pair of batteries it is an alternative power source.

It will be a big book........motorhomers are no different to other lemming like consumers, on a never ending quest for unnecessary equipment. but this is new technology and in its infancy, expensive but some are choosing it.