User:ShandyApple

Hydrogen Tap : Open Source Energy

The Hydrogen Tap Open Source Energy project details the work of Youtube user John Aarons.

John has, from publicly available information, attempted to reverse engineer the work of Stan Meyers. (Stanley_Meyers)

The objective of the project is to engineer a system capable of safely extracting enough hydrogen from water (Distilled) using the process of electrolysis at such a rate that makes it possible to power a car.

The process has taken over 12 months to come to fruition. All his efforts , thoughts , ideas etc have been made available via the YouTube website. By making all information freely available John has been able to bounce ideas off like minded individuals, field questions and air his own concerns regarding the manufacture of a device that meets the above criteria.

This open approach to generating enough hydrogen to power a car has lead to the current situation where his "FOCUS Cell" has recently (23/05/08) been deployed in his own vehicle.

Currently the hydrogen being generated is being run alongside a traditional petrol fed engine. So at this stage he is running the two fuels together. By recording his mileage prior to inserting the device he was averaging approximately 24 mpg. With the "FOCUS Cell" connected pumping in hydrogen as well as conventional fuel his first run on both fuels has returned just under 30 mpg (29.8 mpg) This is an improvement of approximately 24% ! http://www.hydrogentap.com/hydrogentap_002.htm

Considering this is the first run of the system this is a remarkable achievement.

The project welcomes all interested parties who wish to assist in improving the system with advice, ideas etc. Please bear in mind this is a completely open project all his work is being replicated by others.

If you are interested in the work and want to find out more visit :

http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=johnaarons

and select from any of the 250 + videos (and growing) available on the subject.

Hydrogen Tap Experiments (under construction.....)

..... under construction.......

Video 1 (Hydrogen Cell Running with Tap)

A simple cell using tap water. Consists of two stainless steel (3/4inch thick 7 inch long) electrodes.

The system was run from a 12v battery at between 1.13 - 1.20 amps. The water temp measurements were as follows :

time temp deg C 1m:48s 69.3 3m:08s 79 4m:45s 71.2

objective is to use the O2 and hydrogen in the engine.

Video 2 (Hydrogen Tap 1 (Complete description) #2)

Stainless steel rod 3/4 inch x 7.5 inches wrapped in fibre glass mesh with a 3ft 24 guage wire wrapped around the outside of the mesh.

Wire and rod connected to seperate ends of the battery. Voltage was 12.26 and amperage was 0 at start.

The water was Tap water and was at 90 deg's temperature. (See note at end of video 2)

a charger was hooked up to the batter which took the voltage over 12 volts. once the system was connected to the battery. Hydrogen was produced and the amperage was recorded at 1.02 amps.

A significant amount of hydrogen was produced.

The more stainless steel submerged the more hydrogen would be produced.

amps 1.06 volts 15.8.

Temperature fell to 95.2 degs

NOTE (discrepancy beginning of video states water was at 90 degrees. May have meant 98 degrees ?)

Video 3

tbc

Video 4 (Hydrogen Tap 1 (more questions) #4)

Hydrogen being produced with water at 20 degrees. The cell is connected to a 12 volt battery 12.29 volts = 0.68 amps

The cell consisted of 3/4 inch stainless steel 7.5 inch long wrapped in 3 ft 24 gauge Stainless steel wire

The cell was seen producing large amounts of Hydrogen from tap water.

Video 5 (Hydrogen Tap 1 (test gas) #5)

The cell was operating at .90 amps 15.07 volts. The purpose of the experiment was to measure direct of output of gas. Gas was being fed from the hydrogen Tap 1 unit and displacing a fixed amount of water. The experiment was operated at 15.06 volts (with charger connected) @ 0.92 amps. The displacement appeared to be somewhat slow and the amount of water being displaced was not divulged.

Video 6 (Hydrogen Tap 1 (new configuration gas test) #6)

This video attempted to replicate the experiment of video 5 and seemed to have a much higher rate of Hydrogen production and as such was seen to be displacing the water much more quickly.

A visual assessment / guest-imate by john was a rate that approximated to 3x faster / more gas than in video 5. Voltage = 14.03 amps = 4.28. Running of a 12volt battery + the charger to up the voltage.

The output tube would be connected to the combustion chamber.

Video 7 (Hydrogen Tap 1 (new configuration more Hydrogen) #7)

4.83 amps from a 12 volt supply no charger attached. The video demonstrates lots of hydrogen being produced. The design was a new design which consisted of multiple plates of stainless steel (5 plates) separated by an approx 2- 3mm gap (rubber band width). the separation was achieved by placing a rubber band around each plate. This rubber band helped maintain the gap between the plates.

The plates were alternately spaced +ve , -ve, +ve , -ve etc.

Video 8 (hydrogen tap 1 (great views of plates and gas) #8)

Introduced a new build of the cell developed in video 7.

The cell consisted of 4 stainless steel plates measuring 3 x 4 inches. They were put together with rubber bands separating each plate.

There was a (what seemed to be a plastic) clamp holding all 4 plates together, and the +ve & -ve terminals connected. The test was conducted with ordinary tap water at 60 degrees C. The system was connected to a 12 v system and a large amount of gas was seen emanating from the water. There was no pulsing of the system (this was developed later on) The experiment was running at 5.65 amps.

This experiment differed from previous ones by using flat plates rather than stainless steel tubes.

Video 9 (Hydrogen Tap 1 (View of enclosed cell in working unit) #9)

Using Tap water. The experiment seemed to be concerned with measuring the rate of hydrogen production. The equipment was operating at 12 v + charger bringing it up to 14 volts the amps = 6.59.

The rate of hydrogen production was significant. The hydrogen was shown displacing water held within what appeared to be a pint glass.

The glass was not filled completely at the time of filming. The main problems John was having was sealing the unit and stopping leakage of Hydrogen gas. Johns' desire was to solve the seal problem to improve rate of production.

The cell consisted of a tube approx 5" in diameter and approx 18 " in height. The cell was sealed with a screw cap mechanism. The 4 plate electrolyzing unit was sited inside the tube. +ve & nve connections were made via sealed holes on the side of the unit.

(see end of video for details of layout)

Video 10 (Hydrogen Tap 1 (Parts to install) Ready) #10)

The system above was designed to be fitted into a car for hydrogen ASSIST only (i.e. to be run in conjunction with conventional fuel).

In this video John informs us that the left feed was +ve and the right feed was to the -ve.

There was a water level tube which seemed to be an overflow mechanism this looped from the top of the cell back into the bottom.

The cell ran off tap water.

The cap consisted of a hydrogen feed on the left and on the right was a gauge which was to be removed. The gas rises up through the cell and leaves via the hydrogen feed pipe (left side).

Video 11 (Hydrogen Tap 1 (More Discovery) #11)

This video described Johns findings after fitting the cell and running it for a few days.

John found that the Tap water had become discoloured (a rust colour) but that on further analysis concluded that the pollutant was not rust or metallic.

The video shows John trying to replicate what must have been happening in the car by setting up a unit in his lab and running it for 30 mins. Discolouration of the tap water occurs. Johns assessment was that this was due to the impurities in the water that are added by the water companies etc.

A further test with Distilled water did not suffer the same levels of discolouration , However less hydrogen was being produced.

Johns' belief was that the impurities were being caused by electricaly charging the water which ironically act as an electrolyte catalyze the

process of electrolysis.

John continued to run his car on ordinary tap water and felt the discolouration had no detrimental effect on the performance of the car or the cell.

Running the unit in the car brought the amperage upto 12 amps with no detrimental effect on the battery i.e. it remained fully charged.

video 12 (Hydrogen Tap 1 (installed SunBird LE) #12)

John Installs the first unit into a Sunbird.

The output hose was connected to the air intake right after the air filter.

The video shows the layout of the installation.

There is a "quick disconnect device that allows quick inspection.

The cell was connected directly to the standard car battery .

There was an analogue and digital amp meter connected and placed inside the car.

At the start of this video before the unit was running the amp reading (from the digital amp meter)

was 8.57 amps.

John claims that during testing the reading went as high as 12 amps.

Video 13 Hydrogen Tap 1 (new plate configuration) #13

John introduces a new configuration for the SS plates. Instead of having rubber bands to separate the plates the cells now have a hole drilled through each plate with a plastic washer separating the plates.

A plastic screw and (metal) nut arrangement secure the stainless steel components and insulate them from any shorting that would occur if using metal screws.

The purpose of the test is demonstrate running the cell on ordinary tap water and running the cell on tap water with an electrolyte.

Both exp's will be using tap water but the electrolyte in one will be salt.

A simple cell consisting of 3 plates is emersed in Tap water. The amps = 3.45

A large quantity of Hydrogen is produced (a visual assessment is made not a quantitative one), but more needs to be produced.

The second test is performed with an electrolyte (salt) 1/2 tablespoon of salt is added and stirred.

There was a visibly greater amount of gas produced (a visual assessment is made not a quantitative one). The amps = 12 @ 12 volts.

The amperage increases as more power is transferred through the electrodes.

The electrolyte allows more power to be transferred through th electrodes

Video 14 Hydrogen Tap 1 (Aluminum Plate Test) #14

The purpose of the test is to demonstrate the efficacy of Aluminium as source metal for the

electrodes. The cell configuration was as in video13 i.e. a 3 plate set up seperated by plastic washers.

Using a 12 volt battery. Water was approx 98 degrees.

Hydrogen was produced at approx 3 amps. Ordinary tap water with NO electrolyte was used.

The centre was -ve top & bottom plates were +vely charged.

Washer thickness was approx 3 mm (rubber band thickness)

Video 15 Hydrogen Tap 1 (30 amp test) #15

Objective if this exp is to run a 4 plate setup at max amperage (30 amps) in ordinary Tap water with

salt acting as an electrolyte. Hydrogen is produced at quite a rate ( again this is a visual assessment)

The salt electrolyte produces quite a large amount black sludge and therefore makes salt an unsuitable electrolyte to use. John states that the next (future) test will be performed with Sodium / pottasium Hydroxide commonly known as lye.

The next evolution of the cell is to be longer and wider. At this stage Johns thinking was that longer electrodes would enable him to do away with the electrolyte. A further evolution is to place spacers on each side of the plates as well as one in the middle.

The belief at this stage is that spacing and size of electrodes could improve the efficacy of the system.

Video 16 Hydrogen Tap 1 (USING LYE) WITH AUDIO #16

The set up consists of a simple 2 cell system consisting of stainless steel plates

connected to a 12v system seperated by non conductive washers.. The video shows John running the system with ordinary tap water. This produces

Hydrogen at 1.44 amps. He then adds approx 1/4 of a tablespoon of Lye and connectes the electrodes to the battery.

(An observation by john is that the hotter the water the more hydrogen is produced. You can also change the conductivity by adding an electrolyte or by putting the plates closer together. The more plates the more hydrogen and the thicker the plates the more hydrogen is produced.)

On connecting the system with the Lye added you can see more hydrogen being produced. The amps rise to 5.76 amps on a 12 volt battery.

By using electrolyte we get a greater conductivity that produces more hydrogen and oxygen.

Another thing to note is how clear the water is once the system is switched off. There are no signs of any discolouration.

So lets recap so far

1) Stainless steel plates look like the way to go. 2) The hotter the tap water the better 3) Add a small amount of electrolyte, Lye looks good. 4) Use many plates of stainless steel suitably seperated to form a decent cell.

Video 17 Hydrogen Tap 1 Series 2 ( Video #17 12inch Plates)

The video shows the next evolution in cell design. 6 Stainless steel plates seperated by non-conductive spacers.

Each plate is 12 inches long by 3 1/4 inches wide. the plates have a cut out the the end of each plate to allow each cell to

be connected to the appropriate electrode via a plastic connector that insulates each plates connection point.

Video 18 Hydrogen Tap 1 Series 2 (Full Test Tap water) #18

The purpose of this test is to determine the rate and amount of hydrogen being produced with the new set up namely the 6 plate cell as described above (video 17).

The experiement consists of a 12 volt battery connected to a charger. There was 15 amps of current being produced from 12.34 volts and Hydrogen production was consistent (no specific volume measurement was made). Ordinary Tap water was used with no electrolyte.

An examination of the water in the cell had some minor discolouration

Video 19 Hydrogen Tap 1 Series 2 (1.5 tube 28 amp Lye) #19

Purpose of the test is to demonstrate 1/2 inch diameter gas tube from the unit and raise the amperage to 30 amps by using Lye as an electrolyte.

The experiment uses the new evolution 6 plate/cell system as described above. A simple visual assessment shows gas being regularly produced. The objective is to increase the cell to a 12 plate system in order to get to 30 amps.

Video 20 Hydrogen Tap 1 Series 2 ( AC Generator Connection) #20

The video shows the 6 plate cell connected up to but not running a generator. The filter from the generator was removed and the output from the Hydrogen cell was efd directly into the gnerator. John claimed that upon starting the generator Hydrogen is pulled from the cell and feeds the generator. John claims to have run the generator 6 or 7 times and claims smoother operation than with petrol / gasoline. John states in the video that the current setup (6 cell unit) isn't producing enough hydrogen.

The video does not show the generator working, only the setup.

Video 21 Hydrogen Tap 1 Series 2(Water Problem Gone "why") #21

John re-ran precvious experiments with tap water from previous exps that had stood overnight. He noticed that there was no discolouration and found it somewhat curious. The video tries to address the reasons for this.

One of many theories is that on previous runs impurities have been evaporated out hence when used at a later date the water is more pure or closer to a distilled state.

Video 22 Hydrogen Tap 1 Series 2( Hot Cold Water LESS AMPS) # 22

The video shows a new evolution in design i.e. a 12 plate 5.5 x 3 inches. They are fully immersed in water running on a 12 volt battery running at 10 amps. The cell is .018 thick, water temp is 760 degrees.

The experiment will be run with hot water and cold water (Tap). No electrolyte.

Hot Water exp :-

Water temp > 100 degrees. drawing almost 15 amps of power.

Upon turning on the plate visually large amounts of gas given off.

temperature rose to 116 degrees.

Cold water exp :-

Water temp 62 degrees. amp meter was < 10 amps

The cold water experiment appeared to produce the same amoutnof hydrogen. No quantitative measurement was able to be performed due to suitable equipment not beig available.

all tests were using 12 volts as source.

The theory is the hotter the water the more hydrogen should be produced.

Video 23 Hydrogen Tap 1 Series 2( 8min Test 12 plates) #23

This video is an 8 minute uninterrupted test of the 12 cell unit with no electrolyte on Tap water at 68 degrees. John states that success is the eradication of any discolouration caused by pollution that occur due to the electrolysis process.

If this test proves successful then he intends to use two 12 cell units in one system.

Video 24 Hydrogen Tap 1 Series 2(Completed Series 2 ) #24

This video details the next evolution. an 11 plate cell. The unit that contains the cell is 12 inch tall made up of 4 pieces bottom, centre, a collar and screw on top.

The unit consists of two output ports where the electrodes are connected. A water sensor. The top of the unit houses the hydrogen out pipe and water input pipe. this is 1/2 inch diameter and feeds directly into the air filter of the vehicle.

The water sensor is a simple 3.5 mm headphone jack. When the water hits the jack it closes a circuit which is registered on a meter in the car which identified the unit as being filled. The plates are short plates at 4.5 inch X 3 inch.

The next cell will be twice the length with the same no of plates. The plates are stainless steel and the plates are seperated with plastic spacers.

Video 25 Hydrogen Tap 1 (Magnet Hydrogen Test) #25

The objective of the experiment was to determine whether strong magnetic fields could have any impact on hydrogen production. The magnets were rare earth magnets and no visible effect was seen during the running of the experiment either on the rate of hydrogen generation or the amount of amperage during the experiment.

Video 26 Hydrogen Tap 1 Series 2 (Found Hydrogen Leak) #26

During testing a leak was found in the cell. The leak was spotted by placing water around the the top of the unit and it was evident from the video that gas was leaking from the system via where the screws and bolt meet. The solution in light of this discovery was to place a sealant around all joins rather than relying on plumbers tape.

Video 27 Hydrogen Tap 1 Series 2 (Output Test Tap Water Only) # 27

This is a re run of the above test after all joints have been treated with sealant.

The hydrogen generation was constant and was considered to be of significant volume as the pipe diamteter was 1/2 inch.

Johns thinking was to develop a system that didn't rely on any electrolyte. During the video he states that in his opinion adding a small amount of Lye would vastly increase the amount of hydrogen production. However given that his ultimate goal is to have a system that dosn't rely on any electrolyte his solution towards that goal is to increase the size of the stainless steel plates. His thinking ( I think) is the more surface area of steel in contact with water the more hydrogen is being produced and hence the less need for any Lye.

Video 28 Hydrogen Tap 1 (Testing 110 Volt System) #28

tbc.....

Video 29 Hydrogen Tap 1 Series 2 (measuring Output Metric ) #29

The video demonstrates the rate of hydrogen production. The cell consists of 11 stainless steel plates with a 12 volt battery plus a charger running at 30 amps and the water has Lye in it.

The rate of hydrogen production appeared to be approx 100ml in 16 seconds.

Video 30 Hydrogen Tap 1(solid plate or Not) #30

The video attempted to address viewer suggestions that having a plate with holes in it might produce more hydrogen. In fact if anything the video shows the opposite to be true. John's thinking all along has been the more surface area involved the more hydrogen produced and this video seemed to demonstrate it.

Video 31 Hydrogen Tap 1 Series 2 (car Installation) #31

The video demonstrates the installation of the current evolution fuel cell. The hydrogen outlet pipe is fed into the intake vavle. The air filter is blocked off. The cell is directly connected to the car's 12v battery.

The second tube (Black) goes into the vacum hose that goes directly into the engine (this is a secondary output port for hydrogen).

Upon running the system John notes the temperature of the exhaust as running at an extremely low temperature.

Video 32 Hydrogen Tap 1 (Plate Thickness Current Test) # 32

The video is concerned with determining whether the thickness of the steel makes a difference. Prior to testing John's opinion is that it does matter.

The test concluded the thickness of the plate does not effect the amount of hydrogen produced.

Video 33 Hydrogen Tap 1 Series 3 (Hydrogen Separation Tower) #33

The video demonstrates an attempt to seperate the oxygen from the hydrogen molecules.

Video 34 Hydrogen Tap 1 Series 3(Plates In Plastic Tube) #34

The purpose of the experiment was to determine whether the plastic casing could withstand th eheat generated by the equipment and whether as much hydrogen can be generated in a small enclosure with less current.

Video 35 Hydrogen Tap 1 Series 3 (Why is the water clear) #35

This is a follow up video of video 34. This video shows no discolouration of the Tap water.

Video 36 Hydrogen Tap 1 Series 3(WHY IS WATER CLEAR) #36

Re-run of test 35. The experiment was reloaded with the same tap water and re-run.

Hydrogen Tap 1 Series 3 (Construction New Series 3) #37

New evolution series 3 unit construction. The new construction consists of 11 plates 3inches x 5.5 inches , enclosed in a plastic tube of diameter 3.5inches.

There is a white hydrogen output port on the top, and a water fill tube. The setup is designed to test more hydrogen with less power due to the tube & plate configuration.

Electrodes enter via the bottom of the unit. There are no neutral plates in the system. Plates are either -ve or +ve.

There are also two water level sensors - water high, water low.

Video 38 Hydrogen Tap 1 Series 3 (Configeration Test 15 amps) #38

Testing new cell from test 38. Using Tap water, no electrolyte running at 12.23 volts at 14 amps.

==Video 39 Hydrogen Tap 1(Wire Warter Problems)#39

John discovered a leak between the wire fibres and the insulation.

Video 40 Hydrogen Tap 1 Series 3(15 plate System) #40

A new plate system was tested as previous versions but this setup consisted of 15 plates. The exp was run at 12 volts and 16 amps. There were no electrolytes in the water.

Johns theory is that the unit will be able to operate up to 30 amps, and this is due to the number of plates. John describes how the water sensors will work in the car.

Video 41 Hydrogen Tap 1 (High Voltage Test) #41

The video demonstrates 24 volt through a 4 plate system. The exp was using tap water, running at 23 volts and 7 amps. There 2 12 volt batteries in series to achive this voltage.

John claims a lage amount of gas was created but goes on to say that he needs to develop the system around a 12 volt system

Video 42 Hydrogen Tap 1( 40 volt Test) #42

tbc

Video 43 Hydrogen Tap 1 (AC & DC ) #43

The video details AC current at 60hz going through a 4 plate cell using a transformer. nothing happened. However when the charged was converted to DC Hydrogen gas was given off. The voltage dropped due to the converter.

The exp shows the diff between an AC curernt at 60 cycles and a direct current.

Video 44 Hydrogen Tap (New Gas Tester) #44

demonstrates test equipment to measure gas volumes. The system is demonstrated displacing water at a certain rate.

The system consists of 2 paltes joined at the bottom. The gas enters at the top and displaces the water , pushing it down .

Video 45 Hydrogen Tap 1 Series 3 (Plate inspection 8 hrs Car run) #45

The video is concerned with the system that had been run for 8 hours in Johns car. The video details any damage that the electrodes might have incurred.

There was no apparent damage to the cell. the cell had been running at 12 volts and 30 amps.

Video 46 Hydrogen Tap 1 Series 3L (Lab Preview New Unit ) #46

The latest evolution 3L cell is shown. The unit has two water sensors , a fill sensor on the top.

The electrodes are gold plated. The plaes are mounted on a stand with a nonconductive bolts going all the way through the plates.

On the top of the cell is a water fill port and a hydrogen out port.

Video 47 Hydrogen Tap 1 (Neutral Plate Test) #47

John states that he had received emails from people suggesting that he use neutral plates. The setup consists of three plates =ve neutral , -ve. John theorises that the neutral plate should not result in more hydrogen being produced because the proximity of the plates is a key contributor to hydrogen production. visually less hydrogen was produced. The amperage fell. The reason amperage falls is because the energy travels further between plates giving more resistance, and more resistance = less amperage.

Video 48 Hydrogen Tap 1 Series 3L (READY) #48

The video shows the final construction of the 3L cell.

Video 49 Hydrogen Tap 1 Series 3L (Hot Port Test) #49

The video demonstrates the temperature testing of the output port. The platic component is placed in a glass bowl, filled with water and is heated until the water boils.

Video 50 Hydrogen Tap 1 Series 3L (Out Put Test) #50

the video is a demo showing the rate of hydrogen production.

Video 51 Hydrogen Tap 1 Series 3L (More Views after Test) #51

The video is an inspection of the 3L unit after use.

Video 52 Hydrogen Tap 1 Series 3L( 3L parts Tour of Lab)#52

The video lists the various parts of the 3L.

1) Sealant for the bottom of the unit. 2) steel rods 3) washers, bolts 4) Non- conductive screws and spacers. 5) 1/2 inch plastic. 6) plastic tubes cut to order. etc

Video 53 Hydrogen Tap 1 Series 3L(3L Ready to Ship)#53

Shows a 3L unit ready for shipping.

Video 54 Hydrogen Tap (comparing tubes with Plates)#54

tbc

video 55 Hydrogen Tap 1 Series 3LR(More Pictures)#55

Shows a series 3lR R = revision.

Video 56 Hydrogen Tap (3LR1000) Upgraded Cell #56

More changes to the 3LR1000.

The top is made two 1/2 inch pieces of plastic instead of one. The gasket /seal covers the whole of the bottom plastic plate.

The elctrodes are connected via bolts that connect to the appropriate electrodes.

Video 57 Hydrogen Tap (AAron's Cell Close Up) #58

The video shows the new cell. A closeup of the construction etc.

Video 59 hydrogen Tap (Table Top Demo Unit) #59

shows a demo unit for seperating hydrogen and oxygen gases.

Video 60 hydrogen Tap (Table Top Demo Revised) #60

ditto

Video 61 Hydrogen Tap (T-Lab-1) #61B

Design of a demo unit 4 plate cell for experimenting purpose.

Video 62 Hydrogen Tap ( T-Lab-1 Working) #62

Demo of the lab unit working.

Video 63 Hydrogen Tap (T-Lab-1 After Night ) #63

demos the system after having being left to stand overnight.

Video 64 Hydrogen Tap (miniature Lab) #64

Demos a mini system for sale at around $30 or less. An experimental lab sized cell only.

Video 65 Hydrogen Tap (miniature Lab) #65

Demos the mini system working with electrolyte(s).

Video 66 Hydrogen Tap (miniature Lab using Lye ) #66

As a bove but demoing the use of Lye as an electrolyte.

Video 67 Hydrogen Tap (Pulse Unit Construction) #67

This video details the construction of a pulsed unit. The unit is 16 inch tall by 6 inch diameter. The plates are 12 inch x 5.5 inch wide. Stainless steel .028 thickness.

The video details new electronic kit needed for the unit.