Fuel Cell Powered Backup System

bassrat writes "Coleman just announced the world's first backup power system with Fuel Cells. Like any new technology, it's a bit pricey at $6K but the rest of the specs are pretty decent. Info at http://www.airgen.com/"

Comments

This is just hilarious...

[pVoid]

Imagine... A machine that inhales oxygen, combines with hydrogen and exhales electricity.

While it sounds like science fiction, fuel cell technology is now readily available to industrial users!

I mean, first thing I think of when I hear "imagine a machine that inhales oxygen" is piles of passed out sysadmins in the server room floor.

Look at the geek factor though!

[Cali Thalen]

I mean...what true geek woudn't feel proud to have a backup system in his house with a real potential to spontaneously explode (even if the chances are nil).

I beg to differ...

[3-State Bit]

Like any new technology, it's a bit pricey at $6K.

Bullshit! I can think of lots of new technologies that would be a bargain at twice the price!

(rimshot)

Wait! Don't leave! I have more...

A-hem.

From the page:

"Imagine... A machine that inhales oxygen, combines with hydrogen and exhales electricity.

While it sounds like science fiction, fuel cell technology is now readily available to industrial users!"

Okay, now let me try:
Imagine... A machine that inhales oxygen, combines with [anything flammable] and exhales [any carrier of work].

Sound like science fiction? Think again, this so-called "combustion engine" will revolutionize...

wait! wait!

Don't leave.

I have more.

Okay, watch:

How do you back up data during a power outage?

Put it in reverse! {rimshot}
(i.e. have your backup solution produce energy instead of using it, thereby turning back the direction of time in much the same way that backing up the wrong way down a one-way road --

Wait! Don't leave!

I have a parenthesis to close:
)

There.
Uhm, yeah.

Seriously though.
And here I put on my insightful hat.

This could be great in hospitals!

Called me when they've perfected ...

[burgburgburg]

dilithium crystals.

Anything less is simply a stop-gap measure, not worth exploring.

FedEx

[CySurflex]

In a move aimed at stifflings UPS's competitive advantage in the backup power supply market, FedEx invested $2B in this new Fuel Cell technology.

It's not you, it's....

[DrewCapu]

Wife: Oh honey, you take my breath away.
Husband: No, dear. It's our new Fuel Cell Powered Backup System. I think we just had a blackout.

What is missing from the posts so far..

[teamhasnoi]

The tech is *available*! I could go and buy it, if 6,000 dollars seemed like a good trade off for what this does. Admittedly, it doesn't. A UPS or a internal combustion generator will do the same for much less.

If I could pour water in this thing and have it make hydrogen for itself, that might increase its usefulness.

Or if I hooked up a dehumidifier to it, and put it on top so the water would run into the fuel making tank....OMG!

I've just invented a Perpetual Motion machine!

Of course, having water around servers and switches makes for the Worlds Most Dangerous Server Room and many headaches...so maybe I've invented the Perpetual Motrin Machine.

Poor advertising shots

[A non moose cow]

Given the uneasiness that people have about hydrogen canisters and potential explosions, does anyone else think it is a bit odd that the promo shots feature exploding "Coming Soon!" signs?

Maybe they are just trying to be prophetic.

Hydrogen from water!

[jolshefsky]

Best of all you can get hydrogen for free from ordinary water. See this science kit!

All you need to do is plug it in and you're all set. In fact, you could even plug it into the output of the device and get it to run forever*.

* Void where prohibited by thermodynamic laws.