Re: Alternative Power Sources?
 

Go to Radio Shack and buy a DC Motor. I've used them backwords before.

-Mike

Re: Alternative Power Sources?
 

I would recommend against anything involving hydrogen cells at this point unless you get the kind that does not directly use hydrogen gas. First of where will you get the hydrogen gas and how you will store it. You won't know if it's leaking until it explodes. Unlike other gases, hydrogen's size actually makes it particularly hard to add an odor for safety. There has to be regulations concerning this. I would just go with solar/wind generators and run a converted electric car off of that power. Now that is a really smart way to go because the government may help you depending where you are. Hmmm... This topic also reminded me of another technology that I find really weird. People are now developing cars that depend on compressed air to run.

Re: Alternative Power Sources?
 

Depending on how much my cells would use I could actually create the Hydrogen from a tank of water in the car or even create it at home. The cell I am looking at getting from a company in Canada will actually pull hydrogen out of natural gas. A tank of I believe a liter of Hydrogen will last approximately 2 hours on a 1000 watt cell. I have been searching for cells and I am also looking into building my own. Just need to get the materials, I have the devices and instructions.

I am also looking at wind generators for power for my house. My dad bought one and we have yet to install it on their house. Probably this summer. It'll probably save us $30 a month or so.

-Mike

Re: Alternative Power Sources?
 

Hello!
I did a huge science fair project on hydrogen, and let me tell you, it's not so bad. For one thing, pure hydrogen, as it's stored, CANNOT and WILL NOT explode. Really. You need oxygen, and even then, you'd need quite a bit of it in a sealed container to get an explosion. Another thing: Even if hydrogen is leaking, it will not explode. It will burn, given the proper heat source, but unless it's under pressure, it will not explode. Thirdly, even if you have a leak, gases such as propane are much more dangerous because hydrogen is lighter than air, and will float way high, maybe to burn, maybe not. Propane will rest on the ground, and may burn, and when it does, you have a pool of fire next to your leg. While it's true that hydrogen does have problems with odors, places like welding shops have found ways around that. I personally have no idea how they do it, but you could probably ask.
My project was on converting an internal combustion enginer (a one-banger) to run on hydrogen. We had many problems, mostly owing to the carbon buildup on the cylinder, but for the most part, even when it backfired and flames came out of the intake manifold, we were in no particular danger. In my opinion, where there are probably those more experienced than me, hydrogen is safe, as long as saftey measures are followed.

Sparks