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I've been wondering about hydrogen
Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 3:50 am
by isotopeman
Years ago while in Bavaria I came across a hydrogen powered 7-series. Back then, the only fueling station was at the airport in Munich. I've been intrigued by it since, but thought I'd need to wait on hydrogen fueling stations to start popping up to get into it.
I have a car that I don't drive, and a motorcycle that's very simple and could use an engine rebuild. I've been toying with the idea of a hydrogen injection system with one of these. The motorcycle seems the best bet since the engine would be easier to work with and possibly easier to fit an injector into. Both engines present a challenge with keeping the cylinders lubed.
Has anybody looked at an engine conversion with a Subaru engine?
Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 4:50 am
by evolutionmovement
Not until hydrogen becomes cheaply available along with practical storage containers that can hold enough for an acceptable range. The fuel system would have to be redone and I don't even know where you'd start tuning a stand alone ECU for it.
I've thought of a diesel conversion for a closed deck block. Honda has an all-alloy diesel Accord in Europe.
Steve
Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 6:40 am
by dzx
hmm, hydrogen is easy to make with readily available items. Dissolving zinc in Hydrochloric acid and capturing the gas byproduct is one way, and there are many others. We used to play with little hydrogen rockets when i was younger.
Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 12:53 pm
by BAC5.2
evolutionmovement wrote:Not until hydrogen becomes cheaply available along with practical storage containers that can hold enough for an acceptable range. The fuel system would have to be redone and I don't even know where you'd start tuning a stand alone ECU for it.
I've thought of a diesel conversion for a closed deck block. Honda has an all-alloy diesel Accord in Europe.
Steve
I'd love to have an iron block diesel Subaru.
But I live in redneck 700hp/1000lb-ft Cummins and Duramax land, so I'd have higher hopes than the car could likely support, lol.
Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 4:52 pm
by isotopeman
Yeah, the expense and availability of the hydrogen has kept the interest in it in check.
I've learned a bit about the availability of it though. We use a good bit of it at work and started looking into hydrogen generators. There are more than just electrolysis devices available, and the expense is not that great. Fuel lines and containers are also not a problem. Swagelock makes great pipe, tubing and fittings, and leak detectors are readily available.
There's still one downside. If hydrogen is being used to be "green" and ecologically conscious, consideration has to be given to how the power for isoolating the hydrogen is generated. Locally, our electricity is generated by burning of fossil fuels. $olar panels would be fine, but damn they're expensive, so the expense is too much for as little as I drive.
You're right, tuning the ECU would be hell.
Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 4:52 pm
by isotopeman
Diesel would be cool. What did you have in mind for converting to diesel?
Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 6:02 pm
by evolutionmovement
Lots of money!
Basically an injector where the spark plug goes and high compression pistons with stronger bottom end, but I'm sure it wouldn't be as easy as that.
Steve
Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 9:55 pm
by dzx
The battery gives off hydrogen when its charging.