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There are now 5 ways to charge the batteries on a camper trailer or caravan.
- Whilst driving from the vehicles alternator
- At a powered site
- From a generator
- From Solar Panels
- From a Fuel Cell
Better still combining the last 2 ways is simple and foolproof:
Solar panels as the primary energy source and a Fuel Cell for top up and back-up.
This technology from SFC in Germany has grown in maturity with over 15,000 in use. The fuel cell uses pure methanol as a fuel source. The units operate as silently as a laptop and exhaust water (minute amount of CO2 equivalent to a baby’s breath!)
This unit has it’s own “intelligent battery condition sensor” and would be programmed to only come on when there was insufficient charge from the solar panels and the battery condition required charging.
The performance we expect is:
a Kimberley Karavan with a 140W solar panel array on the roof would use about 10 litres of Methanol in a typical 60 day trip. This is assuming an average of only 3 hours peak hours per day. With 20Litres on board, there is sufficient for 90+ days in the Karavan.
With the Kimberley Kamper Trailer, we expect 120+ days for a Platinum Model with 2 x 65W panels on board.
The dimension comparisons are:
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cms
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Model
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Weight Kgs
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Length
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Height
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Width
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Generator: Honda EU10i
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13
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45
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38
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24
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Generator: Honda EU20i
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21
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51
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43
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29
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Fuel Cell: EFOY 2200
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7.9
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51
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35
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30
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Sustainability – Practical use of new Technology: Fuel Cells
A Fuel Cell is an alternative to a generator charging a battery. They produce around 12-14V in a noiseless chemical process that transforms methanol and oxygen into an electrical current without any combustion. Methanol is a form of alcohol. Byproducts of the fuel cell are small amounts of water vapor (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2), approximately equivalent to a child exhaling.
The fuel cell uses cartridges which contain Methanol and is easy to handle, package and store. It is derived from natural gas but can also be produced from organic materials, and the resulting organic methanol, or bio-alcohol, is a renewable alternative to petroleum-based hydrocarbons. Methanol is biodegradable, dilutes quickly in large bodies of water, and is considered a clean alternative fuel by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
In Europe the number of installed fuel cells in RV's and boats has been growing in popularity because of the positive environmental savings. There are thousands used.
Honda have released the FX Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car powered car in the USA on trial. Watch the video here.
What are the advantages?
- Lightweight and compact – typically less than 8kgs, smaller than a generator.
- Quiet – about as loud as a computer!
- Reliable, easy and safe - generates power reliably and effortlessly day and night, regardless of the weather.
- No messy operation to 'refill' them with fuel; exchange a fuel cartridge
- High tech for clean energy - they’re economical and they’re non-polluting. Aside from electricity, the only other by-products are water and carbon dioxide in about the same amount as in a small child’s breath.
- Completely automatic - The Automatic Charge Control regulator constantly monitors battery charge. If the voltage drops below a specified voltage, the fuel cell will switch on, recharge the battery and shut off automatically. You needn’t worry about a thing.
- Extremely easy - you don't need to know all the technical stuff, it just works.
What are the disadvantages?
- Availability of Fuel Cartridges – limited network of fuel outlets.
- Cannot produce 240V directly – only with an inverter from the batteries.
- Cost is higher than an unleaded petrol generator – around A$6,500 to A$8,000
Limit on operating temperature of 50 degrees c when operating.
What is the best application then?
- As a backup to Solar – rather than use as a primary power source (as they do in Europe).
- Virtually unlimited power in National Parks that do not allow generators.
- Suitable for energy efficient Camper Trailers and Caravans where refuelling is in frequent.
What could be a typical scenario of use?
- Energy efficient appliances and lighting installed
- Easy use of Solar Panels
- 2 x 10Litre Cartridges (about same weight as 20litre Jerry Can of unleaded) is enough fuel for 1600+ Amp Hours of power
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Installed Solar
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Typical interval of Running Fuel Cell (may be automatic)
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Estimated time in days typical use for 2 x 10L Cartridges
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Kimberley Karavan
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140W on roof
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Once every 3-4 days
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90 days +
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Kimberley Kamper
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130W on Delta Gullwing
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Once every 4-6 days
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120 days+
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Installation in a camper trailer and an off road caravan
Who makes it?
The manufacturer is a German company SFC. The company is the market leader in mobile power supply based on fuel-cell technology for leisure-time, industrial and military applications.
Are they available?
They are available now in Australia from Kimberley.
We have done a test of the temperature rise and we can meet the extended temperature environment of 50 degrees C.
We have Instaled and tested the integration of the remote control panel for one touch operation. It would be set to come on automatically below a specified voltage, or you can switch the unit on and off manually from the panel.
Set up Fuel cartridge replacement locations in Darwin, Alice Springs, Kununurra, Broome, Cairns, Mt Isa as well as major capital cities.
We have released the Fuel Cell at a very competitive price to try to encourage purchase. They are priced between $6,500 and $8,000.
For Kamper and Karavan customers there will be a ‘guaranteed buy back” by Kimberley at the as sold price less 2.5% per month of use. The fuel cartridges are $59.90 for 10L and are additional.
This offering is a service to customers to encourage more Australians to try sustainable solutions in efficient energy charging.
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