Mechanical and electrical basic connections complete! The unit is operational and pumping gas into the intake manifold. I've installed a switch and an ammeter so I have some control, but the pulse width modulator hasn't yet been built or installed.
I hope to have milage results in a week or two. A couple of caveats: Since I've not yet put the PWM into the circuit, I'm not willing to let it run too hot; and I may have to move my injection port into the vacuum rather than between the filter and the throttle body.
Cold start up is 10 amps and I've seen it run up to 15 amps in a short time. Sunday I'll be driving a 60 mile round trip, so I may have to shut it off if the amps get too high due to thermal run away.
My project box arrived today so I'll start building the PWM ... hopefully that will be a realatively trouble-free activity.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
Author's Hydrogen Boost Journey ... (A Longish Log Entry)
It all started in early June when a buddy of mine at work showed me his home-built HHO unit in his car. He said he had built it from components accessible in the local home improvement store for around $40 and had realized a 30% fuel economy increase. I was, quite simply, amazed.
Immediately, my spare time was all spent researching this phenomenon, checking on various bulletin boards, searching for the science behind it, and yes, even beginning to build my own as I felt I was ready.
I began compiling a list of reasons for delving into this project with a will: Cleaner burning, and less fuel usage were at the top of the list, especially with gas running above $4.00 / gal and not showing much sign of slowing down its increase at the time. Along with the pro's I also weighed the downsides including potential damage to my truck's engine, false claims, upfront cost applied to an ailing budget were among some of the weightier downsides as I looked high and low for credibility and feasibility.
Frankly, I didn't find a lot of detractors who had actually seriously tried a system out on their automobile, but there were an amazing amount of people who had tried and had varying degrees of success. One thing became clear, there is a growing grass-root movement which gets glossed over in the mainstream, or dealt with as a hoax, or even subjected to mis-information, either intentionally, or out of ignorance.
So finding enough reason to continue on, and not enough reason not to (such reason as was there was simple issues which can be overcome with the right systems in place), I set out to find an economical, yet quality system to build.
Fortuitously, I found a stack of Stainless Steel in my shop ... a veritable wealth to an aspiring HHO hobbyist in my financial situation. Yet I knew not what grade it is. From what I've learned, 304 stainless is ok, but not great (most common, therefore most likely). 316 is better since it is more resistant to rust, but grades above 400 should be used for the cell to withstand chemical processes. For now, the stack in the corner of the shop will have to do as I begin my own discovery process.
As it stands, I now have a working model of a cell I saw being made on youtube by a gentleman who goes by the handle of ZeroFossilFuels. With a bit of NaOH (Lye) in the distilled water for electrolyte, it looks to be generating around 500 liters per minute while connected to my F-250's battery terminals with the alternator running. I haven't wanted to spare a bunch of fuel idling my truck long enough to see how it improves with temperature and conditioning, so that will have to wait until I've made some of the electronic circuits which will help tame the hydrogen beast.
Two days ago, my electronics package arrived containing most of the components I'll need for making the pulse width modulator. This is a must-have in my estimation for a cell of this size in order to keep the current at a constant and manageable level.
I am looking forward to getting started on this phase of my project, perhaps as early as tomorrow. Last week I discovered that using the factory installed electrical firewall pass-through looks far more complicated than simply drilling a hole in the firewall for the wires I will be adding.
Some of the non-technical questions I have been exploring have also come up with surprising answers: how does the local DEQ handle after-market tinkering; what would it take to get hydrogen boosters registered with CARB and/or EPA; and are these systems patented, or is there infringement happening here?
Hmmm, this blog is getting long, so I should close.
So how is my buddy's $40 cell working out? Well, he's looking to spend a bit more money to make it a better system. One thing he noted to me is that his 'check engine' light came on, after which his mileage decreased again and his engine idle was instable with his hydrogen cell turned on. Looks like he's going to need some electronics to trick the computer much like many others I've seen are discovering, yet given his short term success on two vehicles, he is convinced, so presses on undaunted.
Future blogs will discuss the electronics people are using to both stabilize and increase their vehicles' efficiency post Hydrogen cell install. I've already mentioned a pulse width modulator which will keep the cell itself normalized. More information on that will be detailed, but also MAF and EFIE devices help the computer deal with the differences in how the engine reacts to a hydrogen injection system.
A few other electrical devices should be considered and discussed in order to add a level of safety and trouble prevention such as level and voltage sensors.
Until then, take care and be aware!
Immediately, my spare time was all spent researching this phenomenon, checking on various bulletin boards, searching for the science behind it, and yes, even beginning to build my own as I felt I was ready.
I began compiling a list of reasons for delving into this project with a will: Cleaner burning, and less fuel usage were at the top of the list, especially with gas running above $4.00 / gal and not showing much sign of slowing down its increase at the time. Along with the pro's I also weighed the downsides including potential damage to my truck's engine, false claims, upfront cost applied to an ailing budget were among some of the weightier downsides as I looked high and low for credibility and feasibility.
Frankly, I didn't find a lot of detractors who had actually seriously tried a system out on their automobile, but there were an amazing amount of people who had tried and had varying degrees of success. One thing became clear, there is a growing grass-root movement which gets glossed over in the mainstream, or dealt with as a hoax, or even subjected to mis-information, either intentionally, or out of ignorance.
So finding enough reason to continue on, and not enough reason not to (such reason as was there was simple issues which can be overcome with the right systems in place), I set out to find an economical, yet quality system to build.
Fortuitously, I found a stack of Stainless Steel in my shop ... a veritable wealth to an aspiring HHO hobbyist in my financial situation. Yet I knew not what grade it is. From what I've learned, 304 stainless is ok, but not great (most common, therefore most likely). 316 is better since it is more resistant to rust, but grades above 400 should be used for the cell to withstand chemical processes. For now, the stack in the corner of the shop will have to do as I begin my own discovery process.
As it stands, I now have a working model of a cell I saw being made on youtube by a gentleman who goes by the handle of ZeroFossilFuels. With a bit of NaOH (Lye) in the distilled water for electrolyte, it looks to be generating around 500 liters per minute while connected to my F-250's battery terminals with the alternator running. I haven't wanted to spare a bunch of fuel idling my truck long enough to see how it improves with temperature and conditioning, so that will have to wait until I've made some of the electronic circuits which will help tame the hydrogen beast.
Two days ago, my electronics package arrived containing most of the components I'll need for making the pulse width modulator. This is a must-have in my estimation for a cell of this size in order to keep the current at a constant and manageable level.
I am looking forward to getting started on this phase of my project, perhaps as early as tomorrow. Last week I discovered that using the factory installed electrical firewall pass-through looks far more complicated than simply drilling a hole in the firewall for the wires I will be adding.
Some of the non-technical questions I have been exploring have also come up with surprising answers: how does the local DEQ handle after-market tinkering; what would it take to get hydrogen boosters registered with CARB and/or EPA; and are these systems patented, or is there infringement happening here?
Hmmm, this blog is getting long, so I should close.
So how is my buddy's $40 cell working out? Well, he's looking to spend a bit more money to make it a better system. One thing he noted to me is that his 'check engine' light came on, after which his mileage decreased again and his engine idle was instable with his hydrogen cell turned on. Looks like he's going to need some electronics to trick the computer much like many others I've seen are discovering, yet given his short term success on two vehicles, he is convinced, so presses on undaunted.
Future blogs will discuss the electronics people are using to both stabilize and increase their vehicles' efficiency post Hydrogen cell install. I've already mentioned a pulse width modulator which will keep the cell itself normalized. More information on that will be detailed, but also MAF and EFIE devices help the computer deal with the differences in how the engine reacts to a hydrogen injection system.
A few other electrical devices should be considered and discussed in order to add a level of safety and trouble prevention such as level and voltage sensors.
Until then, take care and be aware!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Purpose of this Blog
Many of the articles here will be dealing with hydrogen boost as a viable way of increasing mileage and decreasing emissions. Rest assured, however, that my explorations into other forms of energy have begun in earnest.
It will be the highest endeavor of this blogger to ascertain the truth behind various claims that are out there and to relay those truths to those interested in the findings. Feel free to pass on any feedback, bring forward any discoveries needing to be investigated, or ask any questions. If the truth is available, I will find it and share it generously, for we all must progress from this moment forward with our eyes wide open, both to learn what is possible, as well as to expose those who would seek to scam.
Stay tuned!
It will be the highest endeavor of this blogger to ascertain the truth behind various claims that are out there and to relay those truths to those interested in the findings. Feel free to pass on any feedback, bring forward any discoveries needing to be investigated, or ask any questions. If the truth is available, I will find it and share it generously, for we all must progress from this moment forward with our eyes wide open, both to learn what is possible, as well as to expose those who would seek to scam.
Stay tuned!
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