 This
page displays a list of frequently asked questions about EFOY fuel cells,
arranged according to subject. Just click on a question for an automatic
link to the answer.
Questions about Fuel Cells
1) Why do I need an EFOY fuel cell?
2) What can I do with an EFOY fuel cell?
3) Why are there three different models of the EFOY fuel
cell?
4) Can I power an entire motor home on just 50 watts?
5) Are EFOY fuel cells commercially available?
6) How long does an EFOY fuel cell last?
7) Does SFC guarantee its EFOY fuel cells?
8) How do I install an EFOY fuel cell?
9) How safe are EFOY fuel cells?
10) How sensitive are EFOY fuel cells to vibrations?
11) Are EFOY fuel cells ready for the market?
12) Can I also use an EFOY fuel cell on my boat?
13) In what temperature range do fuel cells operate?
14) Why do you recommend removing fuel cells from vehicles
during the wintertime?
15) Can I also operate my off-grid stand alone systems during
the wintertime?
16) Can I also operate the fuel cell as a hybrid system
together with a solar cell?
17) What advantages does EFOY offer over ordinary power
sources?
18) How does the EFOY fuel cell work?
19) What are the specifications of EFOY fuel cells?
20) What are the specifications of EFOY fuel cartridges?
21) Which EFOY is best suited to me?
22) How do EFOY fuel cells compare to other alternative power sources?
23) What other fuels cells are there on the market?
24) Do EFOY fuel cells require any maintenance?
25) Why should I purchase an EFOY fuel cell? What about
solar panels?
26) Why should I purchase an EFOY fuel cell? What about
gasoline and diesel generators?
27) Where can I purchase EFOY fuel cells?
28) Can I also retrofit with an EFOY fuel cell?
Questions about Methanol
29) Why do EFOY fuel cells use methanol?
30) Are EFOY fuel cartridges safety certified?
31) What exhaust gases does the EFOY fuel cell produce?
32) Where and how can I purchase EFOY fuel cartridges?
33) How many EFOY fuel cartridges do I need per week?
34) What do I need to know about methanol?
35) More information about methanol
1) Why do I need an EFOY fuel cell?
EFOY fuel cells are useful anywhere where it is either impossible or difficult
to connect to a source of power, and large amounts of electricity are
needed. Owners of motor homes, vacation homes and sailboats appreciate
the complete independence that an EFOY fuel cell affords them. No longer
do you have to do without convenience and functionality. With regard to
industrial applications where there is no connection to the power grid,
fuel cells generate electricity reliably and independently of wind and
weather. Possible applications are for security, traffic control, surveillance
cameras, environmental monitoring, etc. A fuel cell allows you to be independent
of the conventional power grid.
2) What can I do with en EFOY fuel cell?
You can use the EFOY fuel cell to power practically any electrical device
within a broad range of applications. The EFOY fuel cell is generally
connected to an existing battery in motor homes, sailboats and similar
applications, giving rise to a hybrid system. The battery buffers brief
demand spikes while the EFOY fuel cell provides constant long-term energy,
keeping the battery fully charged at all times. It is thus possible to
reliably operate appliances requiring a lot of power such as coffee makers,
hairdryers, microwave ovens – via ac/dc converters, while providing
constant long-term power for lighting, navigation systems and heating.
A five-liter methanol cartridge is enough to make a motor home energy
independent for one to two weeks, permitting regular use of all appliances.
3) Why are there three different models of the EFOY fuel
cell?
Different customers require different performance and convenience features,
depending on personal preferences, types and power requirements of appliances,
vehicle size, ambient conditions, etc. Customers can choose from three
different EFOY products:
EFOY 1600. Furnishing 1,600 watts, it is the convenient choice for heavy-duty
energy demands.,
EFOY 1200. Furnishing 1,200 watts per day, it can make you independent
throughout the year.,
EFOY 600. Furnishing 600 watts per day, it handles the base load when
power demand is low.
4) Can I power an entire motor home on just 50 watts?
The average power needed by a motor home is about 600 watt hours per day
(25 watts) in summer, 1200 watt hours per day (50 watts) in winter, and
1600 watt hours per day (67 watts) for heavy applications. EFOY fuel cells
address these needs perfectly. There is a difference between brief peak
loads (measured in watts) and base loads measured in watt hours throughout
the day. Some electrical appliances such as coffee makers and hairdryers
etc., use considerably more electricity than 50 watts. However, they do
not run 24 hours a day but only for brief periods.
Together with leading manufacturers of motor homes, we have developed
a calculator that will allow you to compute your individual electrical
power needs (see below).
5) Are EFOY fuel cells commercially available?
Yes indeed! They are the first, and so far the only, fuel cells that industrial
and private customers can buy. They are available for purchase at more
than 500 sales points throughout the world, from numerous on-line providers
or from the EFOY Web shop on the EFOY Web site. We are adding new sales
points on a daily basis.
6) How long does an EFOY fuel cell last?
Fuel cells are environmentally friendly energy converters with a long
life. Compared to batteries, they have lots of positive features:
they don’t discharge
there is no “memory effect
the capacity doesn’t drop off rapidly
they eliminate risk of deep discharge.
The fuel cell’s unit that generates electricity, moreover, has no
moving parts and thus is not subject to wear and tear.
SFC has demonstrated in extensive laboratory and field tests that EFOY
fuel cells have performed reliably at full power for more than 6,000 hours
of operation. EFOY fuel cells meet the strictest quality and safety standards.
We guarantee our products for three years or 3,000 hours at full power
(see below). Every component is designed to last 5,000 hours, which translates
to a useful life of ten years at 500 operating hours a year.
7) Does SFC guarantee its EFOY fuel cells?
EFOY fuel cells meet the highest quality standards! That’s why,
when you purchase an EFOY fuel cell, we automatically guarantee it for
two years or 3,000 hours at full power from the date of purchase. And
if you register your unit with us via postcard or Internet within four
weeks of purchase, we will extend the guarantee period to three years
or 3,000 hours at full power FREE OF CHARGE.
Guarantee claims are handled in accordance with our conditions which you
can download from the Internet.
8) How do I install an EFOY fuel cell?
Simply use the mounting plate to install the EFOY in a motor home. The
installation set (included) permits mounting even in enclosed spaces.
SFC recommends installation in the sub-floor compartment, in the sub-floor
itself or the rear storage area. Your dealer will be happy to install
it for you although many customers do it themselves. Thanks to a built-in
automatic charge control, the EFOY fuel cell may be connected directly
to the battery and will charge it fully automatically.
9) How safe are EFOY fuel cells?
EFOY fuel cells meet the highest stands of quality and safety including
those governing installation in motor vehicles. They are the world’s
first fuel cells to carry the certifications E24 (installation and operation
in motor vehicles), CE and the TUEV Sued’s “safety-tested
and monitored fuel cell system“.
10) How sensitive are EFOY fuel cells to vibrations?
We preceded our product launch with years of intensive development and
testing in conjunction with leading automobile manufacturers. An EFOY
fuel cell will also withstand the dreaded shake test without a problem,
provided it has been installed properly.
11) Are EFOY fuel cells ready for the market?
SFC has been developing and manufacturing fuel cells since 2000. Hymer,
a manufacturer or motor homes, even decided to equip its flagship Hymer
S Class with a fuel cell as standard equipment. It is available on all
other Hymer models as an option. Several thousand motor homes and sailboats
are currently using SFC fuel cells to supply their energy needs on board.
All of our products meet various mandatory (CE, E24 for installation in
motor vehicles) and voluntary certification requirements (UN, LBA, TÜV-GS,
TÜV-IEC62286, etc). You can purchase a fuel cell from hundreds of
dealers and in numerous on-line shops throughout the world. Which is to
say that EFOY fuel cells are indeed ready for the market.
12) Can I also use an EFOY fuel cell on my boat?
Yes, you can. For boating, however, we recommend the marine fuel cell
based on EFOY technology of our partner MaxPower. Distinguishing features
are a greater angle of inclination (up to 35°), a special housing
and a charging threshold specific for boats. Boating outfitters Max Power
sells them. You can find authorized Max Power dealers all over the world
here.
13) In what temperature range do fuel cells operate?
We guarantee safe operation between ambient air temperatures of -20 °C
and +40 °C. (More extreme ranges are possible upon request. An EFOY
fuel cell is reliably providing power to a research base in the Antarctic
at -55 °C!) The unit features an intelligent antifreeze automatic
feature so that it functions even at low temperatures. Operation is possible
outside of this temperature range for brief periods of time with no problem.
If you will be operating your unit for extended periods of time in temperatures
above or below these parameters, please contact us. We have solutions
even for these kinds of situations.
14) Why do you recommend removing fuel cells from vehicles
during the wintertime?
This recommendation does not apply to industrial units that are specified
for constant outdoor use. In principle, there is nothing to speak against
leaving your EFOY fuel cell in the vehicle all winter long. No damage
will occur, particularly if it has been installed and connected properly.
It may be advisable to remove the unit if it is going to go unused for
a longer period of time in order to cut energy costs. Store it where it
is protected from freezing temperatures. The device will use around ten
liters of methanol during a five-month winter period such as is typical
in Central Europe.
15) Can I also operate my remote system during the wintertime?
Yes, the EFOY outdoor variant allows for problem-free operation. Here
too, the fuel cell protects itself against freezing. If needed, it can
also protect the devices that it powers from freezing. Please contact
us directly if you are planning to use your fuel cell in this manner.
16) Can I also operate the fuel cell as a hybrid system
with a solar cell?
Yes, in fact a lot of our customers do just that. In this case, the fuel
cell is installed so that it cuts in only if the solar system stops delivering
sufficient power due to weather conditions. You’ll enjoy full power
regardless of what the weather is doing.
17) What advantages does EFOY offer over ordinary power
sources?
EFOY fuel cells offer the following advantages:
They are extremely quiet and environmentally friendly. They are quieter
than their predecessors. They produce no more noise than a computer and
thus will disturb neither you nor your neighbors during the night.
They are as light as a feather. The EFOY fuel cell weighs a mere 7.5 Kg
making it a compact lightweight device that fits into any motor home.
No other source of energy delivers so much power with so little weight.
They run fully automatically. The fuel cell runs fully automatically and
maintenance free. You needn’t worry about a thing thanks to automatic
charge control regulators and digital remote control.
They’re always available. EFOY fuel cells can deliver full power
at any time, especially when the weather’s bad and you want comfort
the most: television, lighting, heating, etc. They’re extremely
reliable since they operate independently of the weather.
18) How does the EFOY fuel cell work?
An EFOY fuel cell directly converts liquid methanol (from safety cartridges)
into electrical current. Thanks to this direct conversion, which proceeds
quietly and emissions free without any moving parts, it is extremely efficient,
clean and environmentally friendly. The basic principle is an electrochemical
process also known as “cold combustion“. It is almost the
exact opposite of electrolysis.
As a practical matter, the fuel cell in a motor home is directly connected
to the battery and it continually monitors the charge fully automatically.
The moment that battery voltage drops below 12.5 volts (or another individually
chosen threshold), the fuel cell automatically cuts in and charges the
battery. Once the cutoff voltage is reached (14.2 volts is the default
setting although other settings are possible), the fuel cell automatically
returns to standby mode. Not only will you always have full power available
but your batteries will last longer since continual charging protects
them against the harmful effects of going completely dead.
23) What other fuel cells are there on the market?
None for now and for the foreseeable future. SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG is
a pioneer and market leader in fuel-cell technology and has secured its
lead through patents comprising other fuel-cell technologies. Other companies
have not yet left the early research and development stage with their
fuel-cell projects. The advantages offered by EFOY fuel cells powered
by liquid methanol from fuel cartridges are unique. It will take a very
long time before other fuel-cell concepts leave the drawing board and
match EFOY standards of quality, performance, certification, reliability,
product life and value.
24) Do EFOY fuel cells require any maintenance?
No. EFOY fuel cells are maintenance free. What‘s more, they operate
fully automatically. The integrated Automatic Charge Control regulator
permanently monitors both battery and charge level. If the battery voltage
drops below 12.5 volts, the EFOY cuts in, recharges the battery, and automatically
cuts out. You don‘t have to worry about a thing.
25) Why should I purchase an EFOY fuel cell? What about
solar energy?
Solar energy is fascinating but solar systems only work if the sun is
shining directly, i.e. no shade and at the right angle of incidence, on
the solar panel. That‘s not the case in most situations such as
cloudy weather, nighttime, fog, rain, snow, under trees, etc. Motor home
owners often seek shade in the summertime, rendering a solar system practically
useless. Moreover, the very low efficiency of solar cells (typically <
15 %) means that enormous areas are necessary and these are often not
available. This space requirement leads to such typical problems as wind
and snow loading, vandalism, etc. A typical solar panel with a 100-watt
module provides an average of 400 Wh per day in Europe – only if
the weather is good. Our entry-level EFOY600 provides 600 Wh per day and
does so reliably, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
26) Why should I purchase an EFOY fuel cell? What about
gasoline and diesel generators?
Here are the facts:
A 1.5 kW generator, if you can tolerate the noise and the fumes that
it produces for one hour per day, produces 1,500 Wh/day. The actual amount
of electricity that flows to the battery amounts to around 1,200 Wh due
to losses to the rectifier and to the battery charger. This is exactly
the same amount that an EFOY 1200 delivers, but it does so cleanly and
quietly. Your ears, and those of your neighbors, will thank you.
Another factor to consider is the charging ability of the battery. Often
when a quick charge from a powerful generator is applied, the battery
can only accept 75% of the current flowing into it. To put it another
way, out of 100 Ah of charging capacity, only 75 Ah stay in the battery!
When a trickle charge is used as in the case of the EFOY fuel cell, available
capacity rises to nearly 100% (100 Ah) - and it‘s also better for
the battery
Most generators disturb the peace and quiet due to the noise and fumes
that they emit.
27) Where can I purchase EFOY fuel cells?
You‘ll find the latest authorized dealers here. EFOY fuel cells
and fuel cartridges are available all over Europe at large motor home
dealerships.
28) Can I also retrofit with an EFOY fuel cell?
You can retrofit any motor home with an EFOY fuel cell. Use the charge
line harness (included) to connect to your electrical system or directly
to the battery. Mounting sets are available from your dealer.
.
Questions about Methanol
29) Why do EFOY fuel cells use methanol?
Methanol is an excellent source of energy. It offers the following advantages:
inexpensive
clean, quickly biodegradable, environmentally friendly
is being increasingly regenerated from renewable sources such as biomass
or household waste
is the only liquid that can be converted directly into electricity
easy and safe to handle
TUEV safety certified
no restraints on shipping due to UN-approved packaging
normous energy density (approx. 10 x greater than hydrogen cartridges;
approx. 30 x g greater than ordinary rechargeable batteries)
fuel-cartridge infrastructure already in place
30) Are EFOY fuel cells safety certified?
Every EFOY fuel cartridge bears the TUEV-GS safety seal. EFOY fuel cartridges
were designed with safety in mind right from the start. The containers
are made of highly impact resistant plastic and have passed numerous drop
and shock tests with flying colors.
What‘s more, SFC fuel cartridges are equipped with a safety valve
that prevents leakage. It only opens once the cartridge has been connected
to an EFOY fuel cell. If you remove the fuel cartridge, the safety valve
hermetically reseals the cartridge. At no time does a user come into contact
with methanol. Handling methanol is by far safer, cleaner and more convenient
than fueling ordinary generators.
Every EFOY fuel cartridge comes equipped with the Ultra Pure seal. This
seal stands for a molecular purity guarantee that is subject to constant
monitoring.
31) What exhaust gases does the EFOY fuel cell produce?
None. The only byproducts are carbon dioxide and water. This technology
even meets California‘s strict zero-emission requirements. At peak
load, a fuel cell “exhales“ approximately the same components
that the breath of a young child contains: a warm, moist mixture of carbon
dioxide and, to a lesser extent, oxygen.
32) Where and how can I purchase EFOY fuel cartridges?
EFOY methanol cartridges are available from any recreational-vehicle
dealer. You can also order directly over the SFC hotline (tel. ++49 89
673592-0) or from the EFOY Web shop on the Internet (http://www.shop-efoy.com/).
Use this method for convenient home delivery.
33) How many EFOY fuel cartridges do I need per week?
A 5-liter cartridge operating at constant peak load in a motor home will
last about four days and four nights. In general though, a 5-liter cartridge
will last about one to two weeks.
34) What do I need to know about methanol?
Methanol is flammable and poisonous. That is why it comes in childproof,
TUEV-approved cartridges that are designed to prevent contact with the
contents. Handling is easy, clean and safe. EFOY fuel cartridges meet
extremely strict safety requirements and even qualify for airfreight.
You can bring along as many cartridges in your motor home as you want,
provided that you don’t exceed the maximum permissible weight for
your vehicle. EFOY methanol fuel cartridges are safe. In contrast to other
types of fuel, methanol is very quickly biodegradable and has no impact
on the ozone layer.
35) More information about methanol?
To learn more about methanol, click on this link...
|
