Efoy video (methanol fuel cell)

[rsn48]

Jeff Cote of Pacific Yachting Systems has released this video covering Efoy, comparing it to solar, and discussing when each is best. I feel in the Pacific Northwest if you boat a lot out of season you should consider Efoy first, solar second. Most here reverse that proposition - solar first then Efoy - but off season we get lots of clouds here, as I stare at clouds right now.

Anyway, a good video and a good intro for those curious or thinking of going to a methanol fuel cells system:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj9c91W0P4Y

[dfelsent]

I looked at Efoy. Cool system. But the methanol cartridge prices were not economically feasible for me. At the time.
Razors and razor blades I think.
Look at the installed system cost. Look at maintenance costs. Look at disposable costs. All based on YOUR usage patterns.
Didn’t work for me, may work very well for others.

[a64pilot]

I also believe the output is rather low.
Tough to beat a Honda

[rgleason]

Efoy has the following advantages, quiet and can run continuously in the the background. Lower installed cost than solar by quite a bit.

[a64pilot]

Don’t get me wrong, I believe that fuel cells will be the future, and they will likely in my opinion enable even electric propulsion, when fuel cells get scaled up and mainstream, we will finally get that electric boat that you can run the airconditioner on all the time just like you were on shorepower etc.

Just not yet, one day though, I believe.

[phantomracer]

Been using an EFOY for years. Works great! No gasoline onboard (boom factor). quiet, no CO output (just some water and heat and some co2) . It is more like a solar panel than a generator.

It is a methanol powered battery charger. They explain it as one refill is like carrying a pallet of batteries with you! Being able to charge at 6 amps or so is nice not having to worry about weather and needing a baseball field size of solar panels to do it!

I have no place for solar (which works poorly at night) and certainly no place to store a generator and extra gasoline.

Works for me, but it surely isnt for everyone.

[Pete17C]

Originally Posted by phantomracer

Been using an EFOY for years. Works great! No gasoline onboard (boom factor). quiet, no CO output (just some water and heat and some co2) . It is more like a solar panel than a generator.

It is a methanol powered battery charger. They explain it as one refill is like carrying a pallet of batteries with you! Being able to charge at 6 amps or so is nice not having to worry about weather and needing a baseball field size of solar panels to do it!

I have no place for solar (which works poorly at night) and certainly no place to store a generator and extra gasoline.

Works for me, but it surely isnt for everyone.

no gas to go boom, but I think methanol is pretty flammable

[rgleason]

I am not so sure about lower installed xost than solar as I have changed my approach to solar and think solar costs have come down, but the 80i Efot is still $3000+. If it were half that cost it might be worthwhile IMHO.

[a64pilot]

It’s the 6 amps that gets me. I’d have to have at least two, but likely three.
An Efoy puts out about 80 Watts I believe.

[rgleason]

It certainly would be simpler than adding solar, new alt, and new batteries and I could live with 80w×24=1920w. 1920w/12= 160ah.

I suppose I wouldnt have to do anything else! Might be worthwhile!

[a64pilot]

The 80 was just a swag, and your math is a little off.
AH varies of course depending on what voltage you use, it’s why I wish we would use Watts cause Amps and Amp Hours leaves too much room for a marketing depts to be creative.

However find out how much Efoy fuel costs and how it has to be procured, and how long it lasts.
I have no idea but suspicion that it’s not hardware store alcohol.

[mikedefieslife]

Originally Posted by rsn48

Jeff Cote of Pacific Yachting Systems has released this video covering Efoy, comparing it to solar, and discussing when each is best. I feel in the Pacific Northwest if you boat a lot out of season you should consider Efoy first, solar second. Most here reverse that proposition - solar first then Efoy - but off season we get lots of clouds here, as I stare at clouds right now.

Anyway, a good video and a good intro for those curious or thinking of going to a methanol fuel cells system:

Seen a few of his videos. He's always banging on about fuel cells and firefly batteries. Not that their is anything wrong with those, but he's a bit too evangelical about them. Otherwise his stuff is a good watch.

[rgleason]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

The 80 was just a swag, and your math is a little off.
AH varies of course depending on what voltage you use, it’s why I wish we would use Watts cause Amps and Amp Hours leaves too much room for a marketing depts to be creative.

However find out how much Efoy fuel costs and how it has to be procured, and how long it lasts. I have no idea but suspicion that it’s not hardware store alcohol.

Sure, about watts is good, but I know ah in 12v.
--->Efoy Comfort 80 (40 W)

40w x 24hr = 960w/day 960/12v = 80ah/day


Fuel is costly, you won't like that at all. Not your answer I think.

(2x80 is 160ah) Math is fine.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by rgleason

Sure, about watts is good, but I know ah in 12v.
--->Efoy Comfort 80 (40 W)

40w x 24hr = 960w/day 960/12v = 80ah/day


Fuel is costly, you won't like that at all. Not your answer I think.

(2x80 is 160ah) Math is fine.

Math works as long as you use 12V, but most of us consider batteries dead at that voltage, and charge at higher voltages, say 14V.
That changes the math significantly.

However if the industry used wattage, then voltage is irrelevant.

What I don’t know is does my battery monitor correct for voltage? Or is an AH at 14V just more power than an AH at 12V?
I’d be surprised if it corrects.

[phantomracer]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

It’s the 6 amps that gets me. I’d have to have at least two, but likely three.
An Efoy puts out about 80 Watts I believe.

They have several models. Yes you can have more than one unit in a system. The model 210 puts out almost 9amps / 210ah/day, albeit, at $3k more than the 80, which is almost 3x the power of the 80.

The charging profile is very flexible and easy to adjust depending on the battery system installed and charging profile you want.

It is not the cheapest solution. It is, however, a good augment for solar, especially if you do have high power demands, and the real estate on the boat for solar/wind. It would make a good backup for those cloudy and wind-less days. If you have a high power demand, the fuel can get expensive and hard to find cruising.

Stupid easy to install. For a simple electrical system like on my boat (12v only. refrigerator as the only real high draw device), it is a good choice. Don't have the real estate on deck for solar (or care for the look of it)

In my case, it is out of sight, out of mind. below deck in a locker. 2 wire hook up. Hardest thing I had to do was cut a shelf for the unit to mount in the locker!

I am sure the newer units are more efficient than my older model.

Again, not for everyone, but it is a nice niche product that works well for it's intended purpose.