EFOY Fuel Cell

[Daisydog]

Not sure if just anyone can post regarding product testing but here goes;

We've been using an EFOY 1200 fuel cell for a year now and so I thought I'd share the results with the members.

The reason I've decided to post about this unit is that I think it is one of the finest bits of kit available to motorhomers. Since most people can manage their batteries for a day or so I would not recommend the considerable expense of a fuel cell to caravanners or to motorhomers who usually pitch up at sites with electric hook-up.

However, for that thing that motorhomes do best, the overnight parking in aires, carparks, race venues or remote highland beaches the fuel cell is a real boon.

When EFOY say that the unit is quiet in operation this is not the same "quiet" as is referred to by Honda or Yamaha regarding their petrol generators, even these are too noisy to run in the night. The fuel cell only produces a gentle hum which you have to listen carefully to see if the unit has switched on. Thus the fuel cell can run all through the night steadily topping the batterys up.

Though only producing 4 amps the fuel cell has the advantage over wind / solar power of being able to work continuously night and day if needed. Thus our 1200 model can replace up to 100 amps each day.

The methanol fuel comes in 5 or 10 litre cartridges costing approximately £17 and £23 respectively. I have to order these through Brownhills but on the continent they are stocked on the shelves of motorhome dealers.

A 5 l cartridge lasted for a 3 week, 4 venue summer tour of alpine campingcar stopovers whereas we've just returned from 9 days winter parking in the Alpes which has used 90% of a 10 l cartridge to powering lights, heater fan, TV and Playstation. The rest of the time it is used at mountainbike race meetings and takes over the rest of the charging when the generator is switched off for the night.

The unit can be switched on or off manually but for a whole year now ours has been left on Automatic. This monitors the battery state and starts charging whenever the battery reaches 12.3V ( This happens surprisingly quickly when you switch all the lights on, the playstation is on and the heater fan is blowing strongly). The unit also keeps the battery topped up when the van is in storage which uses only a negligable ammount of methanol.

Unlike many bits of kit that I've owned this one has just worked properly from day one and done just what it says on the box. If you don't fancy sheling out £2500 for a new fuel cell then look out for one already fitted when changing your van. Some Hymers and at least one French manufacturer are installing them as standard fitment.

[kevin]

what an excelent report . that is what this forum is for my friend. kind regards kevin

[mykopski]

I have also installed an EFOY 1200 fuel cell and can only augment what Daisydog stated in an earlier post. Mine was installed in an under-bed storage space and for anyone sleeping above the noise can be slightly intrusive if the blown air heating is on continuously in cold weather, but this is a very critical comment and the noise is not apparent elsewhere in the van. It does keep the battery charged, particularly when using the motorhome for winter holidays such as skiing and is a wonderful piece of new technology. A good supply of propane and an EFOY gives as much peaceful independence as I believe can be achieved at the present time. I run a Hymer 508 and it only has as standard an 85 ah gel battery - and it copes! Expensive kit, but great if you you want hassle free independence.

[cherokee]

Got the 1600 version fitted.....absolutely fantastic, no problem getting fuel, my local dealer stocks it.