Dream Generator

[Jerzy54]

I just saw this on 60 minutes.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6228923n&tag=api

It would be very nice to have this instead of the generators, golf cart batteries,inverters and solar panels. One little cube like that could generate AC power for everything we can imagine.

[radioattic]

Dreams of geeks...

We'll all be dead before something like this is available, if ever. My money says it's a hoax.

[Jerzy54]

If you watched that show some companies like FedEx, Yahoo,Google have these things installed and tested.

Nobody believed in the magic light bulb Edison came up with either.

[7.3Ford]

Sounds like it still uses some kind of fuel, wonder how long it would run on 8 gal. of propane.

[NASCARon]

There are always naysayers aren't there Steve? This looks very promising. Actually I'm working on a generator that runs on one deep cycle 12V battery but will power my entire Montana including both A/C units and the microwave at the same time. It will also charge the battery that runs it.

[MuddyPaws]

There are several companies working on similar technology. Vulture capitalists would not have poured 400M into Bloome if they didn't believe in it.

Yes, it works. But it uses fuel and nobody seems to know how much per kilowatt/hour. How much propane are you willing to haul around? After seeing my sister-in-laws house destroyed by two exploding tanks I would think twice about carrying more. (See my post in SOB entitled 'RV Bomb'.)

[RVWheels]

This is an interesting subject and I'd like to leave it open for postings.

This is not an invitation to attack any political or cultural entity you may disagree with.

Please keep your postings ON TOPIC.

Thank you.
RVWheels

[Bill-N-Donna]

This is an interesting concept. It does require a fuel source as mentioned. I guess the interesting question would be how it compares to our current energy consumption rate.

[bncinwv]

Unless the laws of Physics and Thermodynamics have changed in the last couple of years, there is a simple law that applies in our universe. Energy in - efficiency = Energy out. It may be cleaner energy in terms of emissions, but unless the efficiency factor is more economical than any technology used today, then the large scale applicability will depend entirely on subsidies from somewhere and I am not at liberty to discuss where after RVWheels guidance.
Bingo

[radioattic]

I still want to buy one of Ron's generators.

[Longwell]

As Colin Powell stated, it seems it will be PART of the solutions yet to come.
It is more efficient that solar and uses less fuel than standard generators, according to what I heard, plus it can be carbon-neutral.
I guess time will tell.
They're going public on 2-24-10 according to 60 Minutes.
I'm watching to see where it goes.
Larry

[HamRad]

Larry I guess we'll know tomorrow how the public offering goes. It will be very interesting to see.

Apparently it is simply a Fuel Cell. But the only ones I've ever read anything about were very expensive and used very high priced hard to obtain fuel (propane). Apparently the propane required in the ones I'm talking about had to be filtered many times to get it pure enough to work.

If this new guy has been able to get away from all that expensive stuff we may be on to something. Of course I'm with RadioAttic on waiting for Ron's results. It sounds like he may have perfected the perpetual motion machine! I knew we had many really talented folks in the MOC but had no idea we had that level!

Ron where do we send the $$$$?

Dennis

[K&Gs3400RL]

Ron If you need a tester just let me know, I will be more than happy to post my findings.

[HamRad]

On the "regular" News yesterday I saw a short notice about this. They showed some of the big Silicon Valley businesses that have bought into this "new" technology. The units they showed were in the 700,000 to 800,000 dollar range. Definitely out of my league. The developer indicated he wanted to get the cost for a normal home unit down to about 3,000 dollars. And the home unit would be really small. Probably no larger than a loaf of bread.

Man would it be nice to have one of those for the Monty! It would or could really change the way folks RV. I'd spring for a unit for the Monty if they ever get the price down.

But I was disappointed when the closing statement was made. Basically they indicated it would be at least 10 years before it went into general production.

Oh, well at least there MAY be something to look forward to!

Travel safely,
Dennis

[bncinwv]

As I stated previously, subsidies are also a factor in the supposed "savings" that the companies are realizing. Details are not specifically given, but a little research will show that the state of California and 30% has something to do with it. The problem with the system is that the longevity and reliability has not been determined. We can wait ten years for the price drop and hopefully by then know what other factors are not being disclosed.
Bingo

[Trailer Trash 2]

That guy was on the news last night, I missed it though I got stuck on the olympics.

[MuddyPaws]

The bloome box runs on many different fuels. But with natural gas it's 53% efficient. A diesel generator (a really good one) is around 30%. The box puts out an enormous amount of heat. Sounds like an ideal way to make hot water too! If you want your water really hot. You know, around 1,700F.

[Trailer Trash 2]

quote:Originally posted by MuddyPaws

The bloome box runs on many different fuels. But with natural gas it's 53% efficient. A diesel generator (a really good one) is around 30%. The box puts out an enormous amount of heat. Sounds like an ideal way to make hot water too! If you want your water really hot. You know, around 1,700F.

That also sounds like some of that heat could be used to heat the house, the pool, along with the hot water.

[HamRad]

MuddyPaws,
Do you mind sharing your source or sources for the info you posted about fuels and efficiency? Just curious since there seems to be so much secrecy surrounding this process.

Thanks,
HamRad

[noneck]

Negative side was the by product of this energy generator is CO2...green house gas needs some patent searching to get better description.