Fuelcell powered RVs

[JJH3rd]

Winnebago is building short haul all electric bloodmobiles but what about the long haul?
Here's a company building electric, fuel cell, hydrogen powerd Semi-tractors:
https://nikolamotor.com/motor#NikolaMotor
with a range of 500-> 1K mile range per fill-up. Plus NO air pollution!
There may be hope yet for the big rig MHs.

[Cooperhawk]

They're strictly experimental so far. The problem is setting up fueling stations for Hydrogen nation wide. A truck stop near us has installed the fueling system, but it like a Hazmat site. They're doing it as part of the study.

I did see the Winnebago Blood Mobiles and they are for real, but not for long range.

[Carefree]

I am waiting for a Tesla powered all electric RV - it's probably 10 years out but it will happen one day. I believe Hydrogen will disappear as a fuel cell for cars, trucks and RVs. Just look how many companies put deposits down for the Tesla truck vs. the Nicola hydrogen powered truck.

Hydrogen stations are extremely expensive to build and maintain. Tesla's Superchargers have a proven track record and are relatively inexpensive to build.

Tesla trucks will have even higher powered Megachargers.

[Sweetbriar]

Fuel cell tech has always appeared to be a better alternative to batteries for heavy load, long distance service. Probably the single biggest factor that will push a H2 fuel cell over battery is the time required to refill the energy storage and the power density of the storage as a ratio of it's size and weight. Current batteries can't compete with diesel when speed and distance are a concern but it's looking like fuel cell tech might be close achieving a potential market share. They'll need to get infrastructure support in place to make it work. Fuel stations and a robust service network are the show stoppers at the moment. Once that is in place we'll see if the long haul operators embrace capability. If it works next will come bus configurations along with RV.

[Bob Hyatt]

Originally Posted by Sweetbriar

Fuel cell tech has always appeared to be a better alternative to batteries for heavy load, long distance service. Probably the single biggest factor that will push a H2 fuel cell over battery is the time required to refill the energy storage and the power density of the storage as a ratio of it's size and weight. Current batteries can't compete with diesel when speed and distance are a concern but it's looking like fuel cell tech might be close achieving a potential market share. They'll need to get infrastructure support in place to make it work. Fuel stations and a robust service network are the show stoppers at the moment. Once that is in place we'll see if the long haul operators embrace capability. If it works next will come bus configurations along with RV.

The thing that will doom hydrogen before it gets off the ground is "BOOM". Fender-benders turn into chernobyl-tyoe events. It is all solid physics, but if you think gas is explosive, try hydrogen in an oxygen-rich atmosphere.

[Sipester]

I'm surprised that there hasn't been more press on Wrightspeed https://www.wrightspeed.com/

Their drivetrain package seems to combine the best elements of the current diesel model, Tesla model, and Nikola model. In a nutshell, it uses an 80kw turbine generator to charge a battery pack (usually around 40 - 60kwh), which then drives electric only motors (no hybrid). The turbine can be powered by several fuels, including diesel.

Both the Tesla and Nikola model need a large infrastructure that isn't built yet. Also, it is yet to be seen how expensive and heavy the Tesla 1 megawatt hour battery will be, and the storage of hydrogen would take up a lot of space on an RV.

Compared to the current diesel pushers, I see lots of advantages for the fuel cell from Wrightspeed, especially for those who like to boondock. Some of those advantages are:

1. With having a 60kwh battery onboard and the ability to charge said battery in 45 minutes or less, that opens up a world of possibilities to have all the power you need without having to deal with expensive solar packages or noisy generators. This means that days of running the AC on battery are a possibility, as well as the option for things like 240V ovens or dryers to make the RV just like home.

2. All the benefits of electric motors and braking regeneration.

3. Weight savings. As an example, the Newmar King Aire has over 7,000 pounds for the diesel engine, transmission, generator, and house batteries. A wrightspeed powertrain is under 3,000 pounds. This could open up possibilities for larger water tanks.

4. Without having a huge diesel engine needing to sit low to the ground, it would be possible to have a class A style RV with much higher ground clearance to make it easier to get to off the beaten path places.

If diesel is used as the fuel for the turbine, then you could still use diesel for hydronic heating as well to keep things simple.

[Craig1960]

Anheuser-Busch seems to think fuel cells will be around for awhile.
https://www.constructionequipment.co...43&bid=2094577

[Bob Hyatt]

Fuel cells will always be around. IN THEIR PLACE. IE in a space shuttle or space craft, etc. Just not in the millions on the highway. That is the difference...

[Sweetbriar]

Originally Posted by Bob Hyatt

Fuel cells will always be around. IN THEIR PLACE. IE in a space shuttle or space craft, etc. Just not in the millions on the highway. That is the difference...

The 800 truck order by Anheuser-Busch is a bit of a bite of the million. 999,200 to go.

[wa8yxm]

LIquid Hydrogen is not a nice liquid. For one thing it evaporates at near Absolute zero (That is cold, very cold, no heat at all cold) and when you mix it with Oxygen in a 1 to two ratio and add spark.. KABOOM.. and I mean the truck stop the other poster mentioned.. Would be a crater KABOOM.

That said. yes it is a very clean fuel. byproduct of combustion (if properly mied in teh one H to two O ratio) is water. Pure, distilled, water.