Handheld Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power Supply at Jameco
Ron Czapala
Posts: 2,418
Jameco Part no. 2163073
http://www.jameco.com/Jameco/workshop/productnews/Hydrogen-fuel-cell-power.html
Datasheet https://www.jameco.com/Jameco/Products/ProdDS/2163073.pdf
This portable electronic device charger is a palm-size universal portable power charger and power extender for ANY electronic device requiring up to 2W of power. Devices that are compatible with the MiniPak include cellphones, smartphones, gaming devices, GPS handhelds, small lighting devices and MP3 players. The MiniPak device integrates a passive air-breathing fuel cell and a "solid-state" hydrogen storage unit.
The MiniPak delivers up to 2W DC output power through a standard micro-USB port and a multi-choice cable. The device is supplied with 1 refillable and ready to use solid state hydrogen cartridge. While a cartridge replacement and filling infrastructure develops, Horizon has taken the extra step to develop a home refueling system called "HYDROFILL" - sold as a separate accessory for added convenience.
The MiniPAK is positioned to address gaps in providing energy "on the go" for power-hungry device users, as well to provide a low-cost energy storage option for emergency situations and long duration off-grid power users.
http://www.jameco.com/Jameco/workshop/productnews/Hydrogen-fuel-cell-power.html
Datasheet https://www.jameco.com/Jameco/Products/ProdDS/2163073.pdf
This portable electronic device charger is a palm-size universal portable power charger and power extender for ANY electronic device requiring up to 2W of power. Devices that are compatible with the MiniPak include cellphones, smartphones, gaming devices, GPS handhelds, small lighting devices and MP3 players. The MiniPak device integrates a passive air-breathing fuel cell and a "solid-state" hydrogen storage unit.
The MiniPak delivers up to 2W DC output power through a standard micro-USB port and a multi-choice cable. The device is supplied with 1 refillable and ready to use solid state hydrogen cartridge. While a cartridge replacement and filling infrastructure develops, Horizon has taken the extra step to develop a home refueling system called "HYDROFILL" - sold as a separate accessory for added convenience.
The MiniPAK is positioned to address gaps in providing energy "on the go" for power-hungry device users, as well to provide a low-cost energy storage option for emergency situations and long duration off-grid power users.
Comments
Cool! This will go just great with my hand-dandy at-home hydrogen storage system.
Having said all that, this appears to be an excellent product and it may even offer some real savings over other rechargeable alternatives. So read the material. Not only does it use hydrogen, but you can purchase a refueling dock that makes hydrogen (I guess from water) when connected to you household mains.
Anybody that is running around a lot with electronics and needs a steady 5v source in the field could benefit from this. And I mean benefit financially from savings over other rechargible batteries.
The refuelling station requires distilled or deionised water for the H2 generation process.
That kind of messes up the savings calculations.
sure, the complete kit costs less than 'one thousand AA cells' and the solid state storage cell has 10x power capacity of a AA and can be refilled 100 times, but that still leaves the cost of generation the H2.
It can generate 3L of H2 / Hour unless interrupted. requiring at least 4 Hours to fully refill a cell.
The cell can generate up to 2W of power, at a total of 15Wh, ideally lasting for up to 7.5Hours even at max output.
But anyone buying this stuff will either be packing for 'long stints off grid' or for a 'full family coverage', which means multiple cells and possibly multiple generators all getting the H2 from one refueler.
(I can see the use if I go for a week-long hike. )
Now, if I plan for a long hike, I can start early to fill the cartridges. Maybe a week before leaving, even...
But in a family, you quickly bump into the problem that 'everyone wants to recharge at once'...
And the refueler can't work unattended. Someone will have to remove full cartridges and insert empty ones.
Otherwise it will end up with max 50% (or so) utilisation.
Maybe... if someone could make a Propeller-powered cartridge-changer for it?
Combine it with a still or de-ioniser system and it would be a really nice kit...
Maybe something as easy to get as sterial water for contact lens would be okay. Or distilled water for steam irons.
There just seems no way around the reality that recharging is tedious and generally takes much longer than use in any rechargible battery scheme. That tends to imply the recharge system would need multiple banks to keep up with use.