www.cebekit.es
User Manual
H-racer
The world’s smallest hydrogen car
User Manual
H-racer
Warning
To avoid the risk of property damage, serious injury or death:
This kit is intended only for use by persons 12 years old and up, and only under the supervision of adults
who have read and understood the instructions provided in the kit’s user manual. Keep children under the age of 12
away as it contains small parts that could be swallowed. The Hydrogen Station generates gases that are very
easily ignited. Do not use the Hydrogen Station for any other purpose than refueling the H-racer, as
instructed in this user manual. Keep the Hydrogen Station and H-racer away from fire or flame.
Read the instructions carefully before use and have them ready for reference.
www.horizonfuelcell.com
Contents:
1. About the H-racer
2. H-racer Assembly Instructions
3. Preparing the Hydrogen Station for operation
4. Creating renewable Hydrogen using power from the sun
5. Refueling and operation
6. Troubleshooting
p1
p7
p20
p23
p25
p33
1. About the H-racer
The H-racer is a futuristic toy car that contains one of the most exciting and advanced technologies
of the 21st century. This car operates on 100% clean fuel produced by a miniature solar-powered
hydrogen refueling station that converts water to hydrogen using energy captured from the sun. To
help improve the quality of our environment, reduce the impact of soaring energy costs, and
decrease our dependence on imported oil, the time is right to start introducing the world to the
benefits of hydrogen fuel cell technologies.
Cars running on clean and renewable fuel are the ultimate dream of many of today's world leaders,
engineers and scientists seeking to eliminate mankind's reliance on fossil fuels in favor of
climate-friendly energy resources. With new advances in technology, hydrogen is fast becoming the
world's next fuel. Hydrogen offers many important advantages: it is non-toxic, renewable, clean to
use, carbon-free, and it is the most abundant element in our universe. By using fuel cell technology
to convert hydrogen to electricity without any combustion, this approach offers a significant solution
to many of our global energy, environmental and security problems. The only exhaust resulting from
hydrogen fuel cell cars is pure water. This is why fuel cell cars that use hydrogen as a fuel are also
known as "zero emission vehicles."
1. About the H-racer
The H-racer is a futuristic toy car that contains one of the most exciting and advanced technologies
of the 21st century. This car operates on 100% clean fuel produced by a miniature solar-powered
hydrogen refueling station that converts water to hydrogen using energy captured from the sun. To
help improve the quality of our environment, reduce the impact of soaring energy costs, and
decrease our dependence on imported oil, the time is right to start introducing the world to the
benefits of hydrogen fuel cell technologies.
Cars running on clean and renewable fuel are the ultimate dream of many of today's world leaders,
engineers and scientists seeking to eliminate mankind's reliance on fossil fuels in favor of
climate-friendly energy resources. With new advances in technology, hydrogen is fast becoming the
world's next fuel. Hydrogen offers many important advantages: it is non-toxic, renewable, clean to
use, carbon-free, and it is the most abundant element in our universe. By using fuel cell technology
to convert hydrogen to electricity without any combustion, this approach offers a significant solution
to many of our global energy, environmental and security problems. The only exhaust resulting from
hydrogen fuel cell cars is pure water. This is why fuel cell cars that use hydrogen as a fuel are also
known as "zero emission vehicles."
Most of the world's automotive companies are developing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles with the hope of
introducing this revolutionary technology to the public over the next years.
The
H-racer is the world's smallest hydrogen fuel cell car, and the miniature version of real-size
hydrogen powered cars being developed today in laboratories. Although simpler in design, this
palm-size fuel cell car contains all the necessary technology to make it run. It includes an on-board
hydrogen storage tank, a fuel cell system connected to the car's electric motor, and a hydrogen
refueling valve system that can connect the car's storage tank to an external hydrogen refueling
station.
The
H-racer is also very safe. Given its small size, only tiny quantities of hydrogen are needed to
power the car. Its only emission is just tiny quantities of pure water that come directly out of the fuel
cell during operation. The amount of water produced by the fuel cell power system is so small that
you will not even notice it.
Our civilization consumes carbon-based fossil fuels 100,000 times faster than they are being made
available, raising many questions about global supplies and whether they are able to meet the
world's fast-growing global energy demand. With geopolitical uncertainties in oil producing countries
and insufficient oil refining capacity, our global economy is already under significant pressure. Oil is
critical to the well-being of entire nations, therefore new technologies that can reduce the
dependence on imported oil are becoming strategic. National security concerns are now
encouraging scientists from all over the world to develop new energy technology solutions such as
hydrogen fuel cells.
An even greater issue has to do with the consumption of oil itself. Fossil fuels contain carbon, and
burning gasoline in our cars creates toxic air pollution in our cities and contributes to massive
amounts of carbon dioxide being released into our atmosphere. Carbon dioxide accumulation is the
cause of greenhouse effects and global warming. For more than 100 years, humans have burned
tremendous amounts of carbon-based fuels, causing our atmosphere to heat up. Global warming can
now be witnessed by increasingly violent storms, desertification, shrinking mountain glaciers, melting
polar ice caps, changing ocean currents and rising sea water levels. We are just starting to notice the
effects.
Our society needs a new and renewable fuel and hydrogen is the best solution for the long term.
Our civilization consumes carbon-based fossil fuels 100,000 times faster than they are being made
available, raising many questions about global supplies and whether they are able to meet the
world's fast-growing global energy demand. With geopolitical uncertainties in oil producing countries
and insufficient oil refining capacity, our global economy is already under significant pressure. Oil is
critical to the well-being of entire nations, therefore new technologies that can reduce the
dependence on imported oil are becoming strategic. National security concerns are now
encouraging scientists from all over the world to develop new energy technology solutions such as
hydrogen fuel cells.
An even greater issue has to do with the consumption of oil itself. Fossil fuels contain carbon, and
burning gasoline in our cars creates toxic air pollution in our cities and contributes to massive
amounts of carbon dioxide being released into our atmosphere. Carbon dioxide accumulation is the
cause of greenhouse effects and global warming. For more than 100 years, humans have burned
tremendous amounts of carbon-based fuels, causing our atmosphere to heat up. Global warming can
now be witnessed by increasingly violent storms, desertification, shrinking mountain glaciers, melting
polar ice caps, changing ocean currents and rising sea water levels. We are just starting to notice the
effects.
Our society needs a new and renewable fuel and hydrogen is the best solution for the long term.
Indeed, hydrogen is the most abundant element in our universe and carries the most energy per unit
of weight. This carbon-free fuel can be produced either using traditional or renewable power sources
such as solar or wind power. Once captured, hydrogen can be converted back to usable energy in
numerous applications, including cars. This means our every day fuel can be produced locally, and in
unlimited quantities. When it is consumed in the fuel cell, the result is electricity and water. This water
can then be used to produce hydrogen and oxygen, making the cycle is continuous and natural, with
no toxic emissions. There are many challenges to making this a reality, but it's only a matter of time...
...and human ingenuity!
Around the world, several "Hydrogen Highway" projects are being developed and over 200 hydrogen
refueling stations have already been built to service the first fuel cell cars.
Why Hydrogen?
What is a fuel cell and how does it work?
A fuel cell is a device that can convert hydrogen to usable electric power. The fuel cell is an assembly
of advanced material layers where hydrogen and oxygen react with each other to generate electricity
and water, without any combustion.
What is a fuel cell and how does it work?
A fuel cell is a device that can convert hydrogen to usable electric power. The fuel cell is an assembly
of advanced material layers where hydrogen and oxygen react with each other to generate electricity
and water, without any combustion.
Serious interest in fuel cells did not begin until the 1960's, when they were used as power for man's
first missions to the moon. Although fuel cells still provide electricity and water for today's space
missions, this unique technology is now aimed at promoting a global transition to renewable energy
sources. Fuel cell cars that use hydrogen as fuel are called "zero emission vehicles." If fuel cell cars
were to use hydrogen produced by renewable sources of energy such as solar or wind power, our
fuel supply would be unlimited - and consumption of hydrogen through fuel cells would not create any
waste nor air pollution.
Inside the
H-racer is a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell (see section 2, List of parts and
components - part E). It generates electrical energy by consuming hydrogen located in the on-board
hydrogen storage tank (see section 2, List of parts and components, part C), which reacts with
oxygen from the air. If you look underneath the chassis of your fully assembled
H-racer, you will see
the fuel cell has air inlets that allow oxygen from our atmosphere to enter the fuel cell (Hydrogen
reaches the fuel cell from the opposite side). This fuel cell configuration is also called an
"air-breathing" hydrogen/air fuel cell, absorbing oxygen from the air - as if it was "breathing".
Fuel H (Hydrogen)
2
2
Used Fuel Recirculates
Flow Field Plate
Gas Diffusion Electrode (Anode)
Catalyst
O (Oxygen)
Heat
Air + Water Vapor
Flow Field Plate
Gas Diffusion Electrode (Cathode)
Catalyst
Electric Circuit
(40%-60% Efficiency)
Proton Exchange Membrane
e
e
e
e
e
e
e
e
O
O
O
2H
2
2
List of parts and components:
A. Car chassis
B. Car body
C. Hydrogen storage cylinder
D. Two refueling input valves
E. Fuel cell
F. Gas purging syringe with valve
G. Three flexible tubes
H. Set of 4 screws
I. Decoration sticker
J. Hydrogen Station
K.Solar panel
Screwdriver not included
2. H-racer Assembly Instructions2. H-racer Assembly Instructions
WARNING: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE STARTING
To avoid the risk of property damage, serious injury or death:
1. Read carefully and fully understand the instructions before starting assembly of this kit.
2. This kit is intended only for use by persons 12 years old and up, and only under the supervision of
adults who have read and understood the instructions in this user manual.
3. When assembling this kit, tools may be used. Extra care should be taken to avoid personal injury.
4. Some parts are small and fragile: please be careful when handling and connecting parts to avoid
breakage. Handle all parts and components with care.
5. Do not attempt to use any part, item, or component provided in this kit for any other purpose than
what is instructed in this manual. Do not attempt to disassemble any part, item or component in this
kit.
6. The
Hydrogen station generates gases that are very easily ignited.
Therefore:
- Do not use the
Hydrogen Station for any other purpose than refueling the H-racer, as
instructed in this user manual.
- Keep the
H-racer and the Hydrogen Station, as well as all items, components and parts
contained in this kit away from fire or flame.
WARNING: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE STARTING
To avoid the risk of property damage, serious injury or death:
1. Read carefully and fully understand the instructions before starting assembly of this kit.
2. This kit is intended only for use by persons 12 years old and up, and only under the supervision of
adults who have read and understood the instructions in this user manual.
3. When assembling this kit, tools may be used. Extra care should be taken to avoid personal injury.
4. Some parts are small and fragile: please be careful when handling and connecting parts to avoid
breakage. Handle all parts and components with care.
5. Do not attempt to use any part, item, or component provided in this kit for any other purpose than
what is instructed in this manual. Do not attempt to disassemble any part, item or component in this
kit.
6. The
Hydrogen station generates gases that are very easily ignited.
Therefore:
- Do not use the
Hydrogen Station for any other purpose than refueling the H-racer, as
instructed in this user manual.
- Keep the
H-racer and the Hydrogen Station, as well as all items, components and parts
contained in this kit away from fire or flame.
J
K
Step 1
Place the chassis (part A) on a flat surface. Position the fuel cell (part E) onto the square slot located
in the middle of the car chassis behind the black motor - with the two nozzles on the fuel cell (part E)
facing upward and the red jack of the fuel cell located below the blue gears of the motor (see 1A).
As you position the fuel cell (part E), tilt the fuel cell so that the back of the fuel cell touches the
chassis and the front of the fuel cell is positioned slightly upward, above the small ledge behind the
motor (see 1A). Look underneath the chassis to make sure the bolts on the fuel cell are inside the
bottom ledge of the square opening in the chassis (see 1B). Now firmly push the front of the fuel cell
into the chassis, until you hear a click (see1C).
Step 2
Connect one of the flexible tubes (part G) to the nozzle located on the input valve (part D) (see 2A & 2B).
TIP: To fit the flexible tubes onto the nozzles, connect the tube by twisting it against the nozzle, then push the
nozzle into the tube until the tube is fitted snuggly to the base of the nozzle.
Connect the other end of this flexible tube to the nozzle closest to the red jack of the fuel cell (part E)
(see 2C & 2D). Make sure the tube is inserted all the way to the base of the nozzle of the fuel cell
and the refueling input valve. The input valve and the fuel cell should now be connected together by
one of the flexible tubes (see 2D).
2D2C
Step 4
Connect the second flexible tube (part G) to the nozzle located on the lid of the hydrogen storage
cylinder (part C) (See 4A & 4B).
Connect the other end of the tube on to the fuel cell nozzle closest to the black jack (See 4C).
4A
4B
4C
Place the refueling input valve (part D) above the opening in the side of the chassis (see 3A). Slide
the refueling input valve (part D) into its mount, located at the opening on the side of the chassis
(see 3B). Make sure that the small ridges on the outer edge of the input valve (part D) are positioned
at the sides. With a downward motion, click the valve into place ensuring it is smoothly aligned with
the outer surface of the chassis.
3A
3B
Step 3
Step 5
Now that the hydrogen storage cylinder (part C) is connected to the fuel cell (part E), position the
hydrogen storage cylinder onto the two mounts located directly above the rectangular opening on the
chassis.
Once the cylinder is positioned on the two mounts, press lightly until it fits onto the structure. To avoid
damage or breakage, be careful not to press the cylinder onto the mounts with too much force (see
5A & 5B to check the final appearance of the assembled chassis).
5A 5B
Step 6
Connect the red wire of the chassis (part A) to the red jack of the fuel cell (part E). (See 6A)
Connect the black wire of the chassis (part A) to the black jack of the fuel cell (part E). (See 6B)
Warning:
Make sure these connections are correct. Any other connection will destroy the
operation of the car and its fuel cell power system; also ensure the wires are not touching
the wheels.
6A
6B
Congratulations!
You have now assembled the fuel cell power system
of the world's smallest hydrogen car!
7A
7B
Find the body of the car (part B) and place it above the chassis (see 7A & 7B).
Step 7 Time to close up the
H-racer!
TIP: If you are under the age of 14, it is recommended you ask an adult for help for the following steps:
7C 7D
Hold the fully-assembled chassis in your hand
and turn it upside down to find 4 small holes near
the edges of the chassis and near the 4 wheels.
Align the holes on the chassis with the holes on
the car top body (see 7C).
Use a screwdriver (not included) to attach the
body to the chassis using the set of 4 small
screws (part H), and make sure the screws are
entered straight into the chassis. Do not tighten
the screws until all screws are partially entered
into the chassis. Drive the screws into the chassis
until no gaps are left between the body and the
chassis. Ask an adult to help fasten the screws as
this requires some force. To ease this process,
you can add a tiny amount of petroleum jelly (not
included) inside the screw mounts.
Step 8 Applying the "H " sticker on the front hood of the car body
8A 8B
Position the car on a flat surface, with the front
of the car facing you. Remove the sticker from
its backing and position it according to the
picture (see 8A).
There should be about 1 mm between
each side of the sticker and the blue
stripes on the car body, and the
sticker should be placed in the center
of the front hood (see 8B).
2
The assembly of your H-racer is now completed.
This refueling station can produce tiny quantities of hydrogen on your command, either by using
electricity generated by a solar panel (standard solar cell power source included), or 2 AA alkaline
batteries (not included). If you are using the solar panel, you must place it in direct sunlight for optimal
results.
For night time operation or during cloudy weather, the refueling station can also use 2 AA alkaline
batteries. Placing these batteries inside the refueling station is recommended even if you are only
using power generated from the solar panel. This enables you to switch from solar "
☼
" to "DC" power
at any time during refueling, or to accelerate refueling in case of a sudden change in weather.
Taking care of your Hydrogen Station:
Do not use the
Hydrogen Station for more than 20 minutes at a time. Once refueling of the
H-racer is complete, turn the Hydrogen Station off and let it rest for at least 10 minutes.
3. Preparing the Hydrogen Station for operation3. Preparing the Hydrogen Station for operation
The car is now ready to be fueled with hydrogen!
Warning:
Continuous operation of the Hydrogen Station will damage it permanently.
Enabling DC powered operation:
Open the battery compartment located underneath
the refueling station by sliding the cover according
to the arrow (see 1A & 1B).
TIP: It is highly recommended to use two AA
alkaline batteries.
1A
1B
1C
Place two 1.5V AA alkaline batteries inside the
battery compartment as indicated, then close the
battery compartment (see 1C).
Slowly pour water into the water tank opening above the refueling station until the water level reaches
the top (see 1D & 1E).
1D
1E
TIP: For optimal operation and longer life of the refueling station, use of distilled water is highly
recommended. You can purchase distilled water from your local drugstore or phamacy.
Warning:
Avoid getting the refueling station switch wet.
Let the water rest in the tank for at least 5 minutes before moving on to the next step. This allows the
electrolyzer time to absorb the water.
4. Creating renewable hydrogen using power from the sun4. Creating renewable hydrogen using power from the sun
Step 1
Attach the back of the solar panel to its small rectangular support provided in the kit. You can decide
to place the solar panel vertically or horizontally depending on how you position the support on the
back of the panel.
Step 2
2A
2B
Connect the black cable to the black input jack on the solar cell, and the red cable to the red input
jack on the solar cell (see 2A).
Connect the other end of the black cable to the black input jack of the refueling station. Similarly,
connect the red cable to the red input jack of the refueling station (see 2B).
Warning:
Make sure these connections are correct or else this will destroy the refueling station. Do not
attach an alternative power source that produces over 2.5 Volts.
TIP: Use the solar panel power option outdoors in direct sunlight, and not in a confined or indoor
location. Be sure to turn off the refueling station after refueling of the H-racer is completed. Continous
operation of the Hydrogen Station will damage it permanently.
Step 3
Place the solar panel in direct sunlight.
Step 4
Switch the refueling station to the "
☼
" sign. The small blue lights will now be flashing and you are now
producing hydrogen fuel using unlimited power from the sun! You can see you are producing
hydrogen when small oxygen bubbles form on the right side of the water tank. Turn the switch off and
the hydrogen production will stop. If it is getting dark, or if the sun is not very powerful, or if you want
to accelerate refueling time, you can at any time switch the refueling station to "DC". In this case
hydrogen would be produced using the power of two AA alkaline batteries (not included) placed
earlier inside the refueling station.
You are now ready to fuel and refuel your H-racer using the power of the sun -
a free, clean, renewable and unlimited source of power for the
H-racer.
5. Refueling and operation
To refuel the H-racer with hydrogen you will need the Hydrogen Station, the gas purging
syringe with valve (part F), and the additional input valve (part D) with rubber tubing (part G).
Step 1
Make sure the switches underneath the car's chassis and on the
side of the Hydrogen Station are at the "off" position. Connect
the refueling station’s output valve to the car’s input valve by
firmly pressing the syringe’s connector valve into the car's input
valve, and simultaneously turning the output valve clockwise.
(see 1A & 1B).
Once the two valves are connected you can let go of the output
valve as both valves are now locked into position.
TIP: The refueling station’s output valve is fragile. If you do not
continue to “press in” while you are turning the output valve
clockwise, you will risk breaking the output valve.
1A
1B
Step 2
Ensuring the refueling station’s output valve remains connected to the car, open the small, grey
pressure valve on the side of the refueling station (see 2A & 2B).
Step 3
Connect the third flexible tubes (part G) to the nozzle located on the additional input valve (part D)
(see Step 2 of Assembly Instructions).
Step 4
Holding the pressure valve open, insert the open end of the rubber tube onto the little nozzle inside
the grey pressure valve (see 4A).
2A
2B
4A
The
H-racer’s power system only accepts hydrogen as its fuel. If other gases are present, the fuel
cell cannot operate and the car will not move. For optimal performance of the
H-racer the system
has to be purged of all the gases within the car and station.
Step 5
Find the gas purging syringe with connector valve
(part F). Push all the air out of the syringe, by
pushing the inner container of the syringe into its
outer container. In the same way as connecting the
refueling station’s output valve to the car’s input
valve, now connect the syringe’s connector valve
with the additional input valve you have just
connected to the refueling station (see 5A).
TIP: The syringe’s connector valve is fragile. If you
do not continue to “press in” while you are turning the
syringe connector valve clockwise, you will risk
breaking the connector valve.
To purge the complete fuel cell power system, pull
the inner container of the syringe towards you while
watching the balloon inside the gas storage tank
carefully. Make sure you remove all the air out of the
balloon by pulling on the syringe. Stop pulling on the
syringe once all the air is removed from the balloon
(see 5B & 5C).
.
TIP: To avoid air coming back into the balloon, stop pulling on the syringe once the balloon is empty do not go too far, as this will cause air suction once you disconnect. Do not let the air be pulled back
inside, the objective is to eliminate as much air as possible from the car’s refueling system.
Disconnect the syringe connector valve from the additional input valve attached to the refueling
station by turning it anti-clockwise quickly and lightly, allowing the connector to pop out. Your storage
tank is now purged and ready to receive hydrogen from the refueling station.
Step 6
Activate the refueling station by switching it to the "DC" position or the "☼" position (switch located
behind the
Hydrogen Station). You can switch to "DC" if you have added the alkaline batteries
inside the refueling station or the "☼" position if your refueling station is connected to its solar panel.
If you are using a solar panel, make sure it is facing strong and direct sunlight. If it is cloudy or if it is
night time, you will need to switch to "DC".
5A
5C
5B
6A
TIP: If the small bubbles of oxygen are being released through the middle of the water tank, see
troubleshooting section 4.
When the Hydrogen Station is activated, hydrogen is being produced by the electrolyzer and
released into the refueling station's output tube. By completing this essential purging step - you are
removing atmospheric gases that have naturally penetrated the car's fuel storage system. The
H-racer’s power system only accepts hydrogen as its fuel. If other gases are present, the fuel cell
cannot operate and the car will not move. The syringe purging method described above is an
important step included to remove all unwanted gases ( such as nitrogen) from the car’s hydrogen
storage tank, before refueling.
Before pulling air out of the balloon using the gas purging syringe (part F), the majority of this air was
nitrogen from our atmosphere. Nitrogen will block the hydrogen from reacting with oxygen inside the
car’s fuel cell and the car will stop running even if the hydrogen storage tank’s balloon appear to be
full.
Tip: You may want to repeat the air removal and refueling steps one or two times to optimize the run
time of the H-racer. This method further dilutes the unwanted gases and enhances the purity of
your stored hydrogen fuel.
Warning: If you skip this step - the car’s run time will be seriously reduced.
Step 7
While the refueling system is locked and operational, and the car's
on-board gas storage tank is starting to fill up with pure hydrogen,
make sure the switch beneath the car's chassis is at the "off"
position.
Look carefully at the balloon inside the car's on-board gas storage
tank as it starts to move and take shape. It will take at least 1 minute
for the balloon to fill with hydrogen using the "DC" power switch if
the batteries are new.
If you are using the solar panel, make sure it is placed in direct
sunlight. It will take about 10 minutes in strong sun light for the car's
tank to fill up with hydrogen using the standard solar panel included.
If the sun is not strong enough, it will either take much longer than
10 minutes, or refueling will not occur at all.
Keep the refueling station powered until the balloon inside the
hydrogen storage cylinder is full (the balloon inside the storage
tank will take the shape of the transparent cylinder).
TIP: Expanding the balloon fully within the cylinder may cause the
rubber seal to become dislodged. If this happens the system is no
longer gas tight and the seal needs to be resecured.
To re-start the car, just use your finger to slightly push in the car’s input valve while keeping the car
switched on. The balloon will deflate a little, but the car's motor will run again. By pushing this valve, you
will have released the excess nitrogen and unblocked the access to hydrogen. This is a natural occurance
you can try to avoid by carefully following all the steps in this user manual.
TIP1: To make sure the car consumes its entire tank of gas on one single run, it is recommended to
use the syringe method (Step 5) to remove this newly supplied hydrogen from the car’s tank and
repeat the fueling process once more. This step further dilutes the nitrogen inside the tank and
enhances the purity of your hydrogen fuel. Without proceeding with this step, the car’s run system
time can be seriously reduced.
Once the car runs out of gas, switch the car off (using the switch underneath the chassis) and repeat
step 5 to remove all remaining gases out of the car's storage tank.
TIP2: If the fuel cell has not been in use for a while and is not working well. The fuel cell needs to be
warmed up by adding water and then being short circuited. Follow these steps to reactivate it.
a. Remove the blue valve connector from the rubber hose attached to the syringe provided.
Once the operation is complete and the balloon is full, make
sure you turn the refueling station to the "off" position.
TIP: After 20 minutes of continuous use, turn the Hydrogen
Station
off, and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before
starting it again.
Warning:
Continuous operation of the Hydrogen Station will damage
it permanently.
Step 8
Disconnect the refueling valve from the car’s input valve. In order to do so without losing any fuel stored
inside the car’s hydrogen storage tank, you must turn the refueling valve anti-clockwise quickly and lightly
until it pops out from its locked connection. As you disconnect, do not press the refueling valve into the car
as this will deflate the balloon. Some practice may be required, but the balloon should not deflate and the
car’s fuel should remain stored inside the storage cylinder.
Step 9
The hydrogen storage tank is now full and the H-racer is ready to race! To run the car, find a smooth, flat
surface free of obstacles. Turn the switch located beneath the car's chassis to the "on" position, place it on
the ground and watch the car go!
The on-board fuel cell system will consume hydrogen until the car’s storage tank is almost empty, or until
other gases start accumulating in the fuel cell. It is estimated that on a full tank and after a number of
warm-up runs the H-racer will run for up to 3 minutes.
You may see that the car stops running after 20-30 seconds. If this is the case, you will need to lightly
push in the car’s refueling input valve (part D) to release the atmospheric gases (mostly nitrogen) which
have accumulated in the fuel cell.
b. Draw about 0.2ml of distilled water into the syringe and attach the open end
of the syringe rubber hose to one of the nozzles on the fuel cell, slowly
pushing the distilled water into the fuel cell. Allow this to sit for 10 minutes.
( see picture a )
c. Move the switch on the Hydrogen Station to the DC side and check the
lights are flashing and the oxygen bubbles are forming on the right side of the
water tank.
d. Take the Hydrogen Station’s blue refueling valve connector off the rubber
hose and connect the rubber hose to the upper nozzle of the fuel cell.
e. Then using the red wire with the double-headed banana plugs, connect one
end to the red jack and the other end to the black jack on the fuel cell. Put the
fuel cell standing up vertically. (see picture b)
f. Keep the wire connected for 5 minutes, and then disconnect. The fuel cell
will now be ready for use.
a
b
d. If all connections are correct and bubbles are released, and the balloon still does not fill up - your
H-racer refueling system is damaged due to improper use. Do not attempt to repair or fix your
H-racer, contact support@horizonfuelcell.com for assistance.
3. The bubbles are appearing slowly in the Hydrogen Station’s water tank:
a. If you are using solar panels, make sure the solar panel is in direct sunlight. The solar powered
refueling process is slower than if "DC" powered. Therefore it is normal that the bubbles are
appearing more slowly in the Hydrogen Station’s water tank. The standard solar cell included
with the Hydrogen Station fills the H-racer after at least 10 minutes in strong sunlight.
b. If you are using the "DC" power option and bubbles are appearing slowly, please replace the
alkaline batteries inside the Hydrogen Station with new alkaline batteries.
c.The
Hydrogen Station’s electrolyzer may have dried up as a result of continous use or an
extended storage period. In this case find the syringe and remove the blue connector from its tip,
leaving the flexible tube attached to the syringe. Push all the air out of the syringe. Position the
flexible tube inside the water tank, at the tip of the tube where the oxygen bubbles are released from.
Use the syringe to suck water out into the syringe container. Watch the tubes inside the refueling
station closely to make sure water is being “pumped out” into the syringe. This process hydrates the
electrolyser and facilitates hydrogen production. Once this is completed, wait 2-3 minutes before
operating the refueling station again. All should be back to normal!
Be careful not to use the refueling station continuously. Continuous use (over 20 minutes) will
damage the refueling station permanently. Turn off the refueling station immediately after the
refueling of the
H-racer is complete.
1. The H-racer does not move or runs slower:
a. Check to see if the balloon inside the car's storage tank is full, the wires are not touching the
wheels and the switch underneath the car chassis is at the "on" position.
b. If the balloon is empty, you must complete the steps in section 5 "Refueling and Operating", then
turn the car switch to the "on" position.
c. If the hydrogen storage cylinder's inner balloon appears to be full, unwanted gases have entered
your system. The
H-racer only operates on pure hydrogen drawn from its storage tank. One quick
fix is to use your finger to lightly push in the car’s refueling input valve (part D), while leaving the car
switched "on". You will notice the car will start moving again. By doing this you would have removed
some of the unwanted gases from the balloon inside the hydrogen storage cylinder.
d. If the wires are touching the wheels move them away so the wheels run freely.
6. Troubleshooting
2. The balloon inside the car's storage tank does not fill up:
a. Check the rubber seal securing the balloon inside the cylinder has not become dislodged.
b. Make sure all the tubes inside the car are well connected and that the output valve of the refueling
station is well connected to the input valve of the car (press the output valve tightly into the input
valve). You may want to unplug and plug the connectors once more to be sure.
c. Make sure you filled the Hydrogen Station's water tank with water (distilled water*) and waited
for 5 minutes before turning it on. When it is switched on, check to see that the refueling station is
releasing small bubbles on the right hand side of the water tank.
*you can purchase distilled water at your local drugstore or pharmacy.
4. The bubbles are appearing from the center of the water tank:
a. Turn the refueling station switch to the off position straight away as the electrolyzer is dehydrated.
b. See troubleshooting section 3 c. for details on how to “humidify” the electrolyzer.
5. The blue LED lights do not flash and no bubbles appear in the Hydrogen Station’s
water tank.
a. If you are using the included solar panel, check whether the cable connections are correct. If the
weather is cloudy or if it is dark, electricity will not be generated and the
Hydrogen Station will not
operate. In this case, you must switch to DC power.
b. If you are using 2AA alkaline batteries, please check they are correctly inserted into the battery box
underneath the
Hydrogen Station. If the refueling station still does not operate, the batteries may
be out of power. Please replace the batteries with new alkaline batteries.
c. See troubleshooting section 3 c. for details on how to “humidify” the electrolyzer.
6. The H-racer runs slowly and lasting for a short time, but the hydrogen
storage cylinder is full of hydrogen.
a. The fuel cell needs to be warmed up by adding water and short circuited. Follow the steps as
described in Tip 2 on page 32 to reactivate the fuel cell.
b. After you have finished using the fuel cell, it is highly recommended to place it inside the air-sealed
aluminium bag provided. This will protect the fuel cell while you are not using the H-racer.
welcome to the Hydrogen Age!
If you have any further issues contact support@horizonfuelcell.com
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