Fuel Cell Accessories

A fuel cell on its own does not show a great deal! It is important to have something for the fuel cell to power, so that the power produced is demonstrated. We offer two products as outlined below. The DC/DC converter is the most versatile, as it allows a very wide range of loads to be powered. The motor is a cheaper alternative.

AU01 DC/DC Converter:

This unit vastly increases the usefulness of a fuel cell, or a small fuel cell stack. It steps up the voltage from low voltage power sources, such as fuel cells, to a more useful voltage. The output voltage is regulated to about 5 volts, and this value will be maintained even if the input voltage drops to about 1 volt. The unit will continue to work for input voltages down to 0.7 volts, but the output will fall to around 2.5 or 3 volts. However, this voltage is still enough to run small radios and other electronic devices.

With one of our FC01 Mini Fuel Cells, running on sodium borohydride fuel, the unit will run a range of electronic devices, such as small radios or LEDs. If 2, 3 or 4 cells in series are used, then a much wider range of devices (e.g. CD or tape players, model trains) can be operated.

The unit is supplied as a small printed circuit board, 2x8 cm, as shown below. Connections are made via labelled screw terminals. The picture shows a typical application, with a single cell being used to power a small radio.

To use the DC/DC converter with a single cell (as in the photograph above) you must use NaBH₄ (sodium tetrahydridoborate) as the fuel. This is not a well-known chemical, but is not particularly expensive or hazardous. We sell small quantities of the fuel for a few dollars, and this is enough for well over 100 hours use.

Note that this DC/DC converter is also very useful with other low voltage sources, such as solar panels, and also with small fuel cells made by other companies.