Hi,

May be the racing gurus can chime in.

My understanding is that fuel cell is mostly a safety equipment. It helps reduce the chances of fuel ignition in track accidents.

However, I am thinking of fuel cells for a different reason: increase the fuel tank capacity of my car. So here are my questions:

(1) When one installs a fuel cell, does one automatically disconnect the regular gas tank?
(2) What common capacities do fuel cells come in. How much might it run installed?
(3) Where would you put a fuel cell, in the trunk, or in the passenger compartment?
(4) Can one run a fuel cell in series with the regular gas tank to double up the tank capacity?
(5) If (4) is doable, how does one fill up, the regular tank, and the fuel cell separately, or the filler neck now goes to the fuel cell with a down-stream line going into the regular tank?

I am not thinking about my RUF. I am actually thinking about a Miata (this could be a whole different thread all together). I just drove a new Miata and it is a real fun car to drive. The shifter is to die for. At 173 HP it has a lot of pep as is. If I threw in a super-charger down the road, I can push 9 lbs/HP. IN 2-3 months the Miata will come with an electric hard top. It could be had for less than $27k. Overall, an extremely tempting proposition.

All in all, my only gripe is that it only has a 12.6 gallon tank. I am just very **** about getting 350 miles or so per tank in my daily driver. When I was driving home, I suddenly thought of the fuel cell avenue. Is this a viable solution or am I crazy? If it works out, the Miata will make a serious run against the Cayman as my daily driver/fun car.

Thanks for the education, as usual.

CP

 

Ask Dr. Wankle!

 

I think you've lost me. Are you referring to Dr. Wankle who patented the rotary engine?

CP

 

Pong: The fuel cell replaces the normal fuel tank in a Porsche, so I assume it's equivalent in a Miata. I a Porsche you can get a larger capacity tank and given the popularity of Miata's at the track, you probably can get a bigger one. Your best best would be to Google Miata and Fuel Safe or Fuel Cell or check on a Miata board. All 911's I've seen with fuel cells no longer use the factory inlet either. They either have a cut-out in the hood or must open the hood to add gas.

 

Yeah, a bad joke I guess!

(I know Miata's don't have the Rotary)

 

Tom,

That's great info.

Thanks.

CP

 

When using oxygenated fuels most manufacturers recommend replacing the safety foam baffling every two years so it might not be the best idea for a daily-driver?