Brunton Hydrogen Reactor - 1 week’s worth of smartphone power

Forums › Off topic › Brunton Hydrogen Reactor - 1 week’s worth of smartphone power

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Fred99

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#942470 28-Nov-2013 19:02

timmmay:
Fred99: They don't tell you the voltage, but Wikipedia tells me that a single hydrogen fuel cell generates 0.6- 0.7V at rated full load.
2A max, or 8.5Ah could be really useful at 12v, but if it's 0.7v, I think I'll pass. I suspect that if it did produce a useful voltage, then they'd tell us. About the only thing you could use it for is to test a voltmeter. With three of them, you could get a red LED to glow.

It says "standard USB output", and the USB specificiations will definte the required voltage, I think it's 5V. No-one's going to release a product that just doesn't work, it'll get returned and they'll go bankrupt.

Edit - specs here.

OK. 2 core probably with boost converter to step up the voltage to 5v.

People do release products which don't work, and some do very well out of it. The entire global homeopathy industry is one example.

timmmay

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#942491 28-Nov-2013 19:30

Fred99: OK. 2 core probably with boost converter to step up the voltage to 5v.

People do release products which don't work, and some do very well out of it. The entire global homeopathy industry is one example.

Agree to a point, but with technical products amazon reviews quickly deal with poor products.

eXDee

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#943552 30-Nov-2013 23:46

Unless the Hydrolyser is small and fast, i dont see why anyone would want this over a 10,000mah Li-Ion battery pack for example which can be had for $50USD or under.
edit: the fact the cells dont loose charge seems to be the main advantage. I cant see much else.

(looking at practicality, not awesome factor)

resurrect

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#944190 2-Dec-2013 15:28

why get that and keep having to pay to recharge when you could get a solar panel based setup for 1/4 the price

like this one http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=MB3591
or http://dx.com/p/p2600-universal-2600mah-solar-energy-powered-charger-black-225104

and then you wont have to pay to recharge your phone anymore

wellygary

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#944198 2-Dec-2013 15:47

resurrect: why get that and keep having to pay to recharge when you could get a solar panel based setup for 1/4 the price

But, but, but, it's black and is a reactor, and you get to stick in "hydrogen cores" into it.....

Why do you insist on making a rational comparison to other products :)

ubergeeknz

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Vocus

#944200 2-Dec-2013 15:52

resurrect: why get that and keep having to pay to recharge when you could get a solar panel based setup for 1/4 the price

like this one http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=MB3591
or http://dx.com/p/p2600-universal-2600mah-solar-energy-powered-charger-black-225104

and then you wont have to pay to recharge your phone anymore

I don't think either of those would produce enough charge to keep your phone charged for weeks on end :/

The reactor is useful because it allows for long term storage - also you can carry one fuel cell and several of the hydrogen cores around for less weight and bulk than several equivalent battery packs.

timmmay

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#944218 2-Dec-2013 16:31

resurrect: why get that and keep having to pay to recharge when you could get a solar panel based setup for 1/4 the price

like this one http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=MB3591
or http://dx.com/p/p2600-universal-2600mah-solar-energy-powered-charger-black-225104

and then you wont have to pay to recharge your phone anymore

I've been vaugely considering a solar charger, just for my disaster kit. The thing that bothers me is you have to leave them in full sun, the batteries will get super hot. LiIon cells aren't meant to be used over 40 degrees. A separate panel with a charging cord to a battery unit would be much better, the battery could be placed in the shade of the panels.

Samsung

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

Fred99

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#944537 3-Dec-2013 09:41

ubergeeknz:

The reactor is useful because it allows for long term storage - also you can carry one fuel cell and several of the hydrogen cores around for less weight and bulk than several equivalent battery packs.

It's pretty cool.
But the storage and weight/capacity might not be quite as remarkable as it first seems.
Disposable lithium AA cells have (over) 3,000 mAh capacity, and over 10 year storage shelf life. They weigh about 15g each.
So you'd need about *9 to equal (approximately) the capacity of one hydrogen core, so that's 135g vs 100g approx - the reactor is winning - but not by much. Then there's the reactor itself - about 140g.
*The "snews" article states one cell is equivalent to "30+ AA batteries", but they don't say which type.

Klipspringer

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#944551 3-Dec-2013 09:54

Fred99:

But the storage and weight/capacity might not be quite as remarkable as it first seems.
Disposable lithium AA cells have (over) 3,000 mAh capacity, and over 10 year storage shelf life. They weigh about 15g each.
So you'd need about *9 to equal (approximately) the capacity of one hydrogen core, so that's 135g vs 100g approx - the reactor is winning - but not by much. Then there's the reactor itself - about 140g.
*The "snews" article states one cell is equivalent to "30+ AA batteries", but they don't say which type.

The article is talking about the power output of the reactor (5v 2 Amp) which is equivalent to 30+ AA batteries. Its not talking about mAh (milliampere-hour)

The power output of 30+ AA batteries should be more or less the same and it would not matter on the type of batteres you comparing it to

If however you talking about amp hours then yes that would differ between different types of batteries.

Fred99

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#944591 3-Dec-2013 10:44

Klipspringer:
Fred99:

But the storage and weight/capacity might not be quite as remarkable as it first seems.
Disposable lithium AA cells have (over) 3,000 mAh capacity, and over 10 year storage shelf life. They weigh about 15g each.
So you'd need about *9 to equal (approximately) the capacity of one hydrogen core, so that's 135g vs 100g approx - the reactor is winning - but not by much. Then there's the reactor itself - about 140g.
*The "snews" article states one cell is equivalent to "30+ AA batteries", but they don't say which type.

The article is talking about the power output of the reactor (5v 2 Amp) which is equivalent to 30+ AA batteries. Its not talking about mAh (milliampere-hour)

The power output of 30+ AA batteries should be more or less the same and it would not matter on the type of batteres you comparing it to

If however you talking about amp hours then yes that would differ between different types of batteries.

You may have missed a spec (on the original posted link ) which was 8,500 mAh (@ 5V) for the reactor with one charge cell. The Brunton site claims equivalent to 30+ AA batteries for the kit with 2 charge cells.
That's possible only if they compare to not very efficient energy density AA cells to get a figure of 15 per cell, I'll stick to my 9 x AA lithium cell energy equivalence per charge cell.

ubergeeknz

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Vocus

#944631 3-Dec-2013 11:36

Fred99:
Klipspringer:
Fred99:

But the storage and weight/capacity might not be quite as remarkable as it first seems.
Disposable lithium AA cells have (over) 3,000 mAh capacity, and over 10 year storage shelf life. They weigh about 15g each.
So you'd need about *9 to equal (approximately) the capacity of one hydrogen core, so that's 135g vs 100g approx - the reactor is winning - but not by much. Then there's the reactor itself - about 140g.
*The "snews" article states one cell is equivalent to "30+ AA batteries", but they don't say which type.

The article is talking about the power output of the reactor (5v 2 Amp) which is equivalent to 30+ AA batteries. Its not talking about mAh (milliampere-hour)

The power output of 30+ AA batteries should be more or less the same and it would not matter on the type of batteres you comparing it to

If however you talking about amp hours then yes that would differ between different types of batteries.

You may have missed a spec (on the original posted link ) which was 8,500 mAh (@ 5V) for the reactor with one charge cell. The Brunton site claims equivalent to 30+ AA batteries for the kit with 2 charge cells.
That's possible only if they compare to not very efficient energy density AA cells to get a figure of 15 per cell, I'll stick to my 9 x AA lithium cell energy equivalence per charge cell.

Your math checks out... but Lithium cells are not cheap. I suspect they are comparing with regular Alkaline cells, in which case they'd be about right.

Klipspringer

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#944673 3-Dec-2013 12:44

Fred99:
Klipspringer:
Fred99:

But the storage and weight/capacity might not be quite as remarkable as it first seems.
Disposable lithium AA cells have (over) 3,000 mAh capacity, and over 10 year storage shelf life. They weigh about 15g each.
So you'd need about *9 to equal (approximately) the capacity of one hydrogen core, so that's 135g vs 100g approx - the reactor is winning - but not by much. Then there's the reactor itself - about 140g.
*The "snews" article states one cell is equivalent to "30+ AA batteries", but they don't say which type.

The article is talking about the power output of the reactor (5v 2 Amp) which is equivalent to 30+ AA batteries. Its not talking about mAh (milliampere-hour)

The power output of 30+ AA batteries should be more or less the same and it would not matter on the type of batteres you comparing it to

If however you talking about amp hours then yes that would differ between different types of batteries.

You may have missed a spec (on the original posted link ) which was 8,500 mAh (@ 5V) for the reactor with one charge cell. The Brunton site claims equivalent to 30+ AA batteries for the kit with 2 charge cells.
That's possible only if they compare to not very efficient energy density AA cells to get a figure of 15 per cell, I'll stick to my 9 x AA lithium cell energy equivalence per charge cell.

Agreed. But you missing the whole point of this thing.
Its got a HYDROGEN CORE!!!! And its not reliant on the grid...

Maybe its just me thats getting excited...

http://www.brunton.com/products/hydrogen-reactor#product-details

Product Details This high-science device combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity on-the-move and under any condition. Simply lock the Hydrogen Core fuel into the Hydrogen Reactor™ to power USB devices like smartphones, tablet computers, UV water purifiers, rechargeable lights, portable game consoles, GPS transceivers and more.

Live Swappable Energy – Just exchange empty for full and keep charging without waiting, ideal for disaster readiness; solid state with no natural discharge.
Environmentally Safe – No toxic chemicals. Recharged from water.
Hydrogen Power – Lock rechargeable Hydrogen Core to Hydrogen Reactor for hours of power off-the-grid and on-the-go
2 Hydrogen Cores – Each is Capable of 6 iPhone recharges; 5v 2amp output
INCLUDES 2 HYDROGEN CORES Equal to 30+ AA Batteries SPECS – 13.5 x 7.3 x 3.4 cm; 146g Reactor, 242g with Hydrogen Core; Solid state with no natural discharge. OUTPUT – Standard USB

Then there is the H20 Hydrolizer

Solid-State hydrogen storage is stable, safe and airplane approved and recharged from water

ubergeeknz

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#944711 3-Dec-2013 13:30

That is a plus side; it's a lot more environmentally friendly than batteries - especially alkaline/lithium one-use batteries, but even c/w li-ion batteries. In theory the cell will last virtually forever. And you don't run the risk of over-discharging, over-charging etc which kills li-ion cells in short order...

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