Quiet, Clean Power for your RV
Protonex M250–B
Protonex brings in a new era of outdoor enjoyment for RV enthusiasts. Packed with power—but without the noise, odor, vibration and carbon footprint of conventional generators—the Protonex M250-B system delivers clean and quiet power for your RV adventures.
Why be disturbed by a traditional generator or the limited capability of running on your coach batteries alone? A Protonex fuel cell power system delivers robust, "green" power — clean energy from biodegradable methanol fuel. By leveraging our breakthrough advances in fuel cell and hybrid technology we've created an alternative power system for your RV that runs efficiently, silently and reliably. With the Protonex M250-B, there's nothing to interfere with your enjoyment of the great outdoors.
The Protonex M250-B Advantage:
- Operates silently
- Provides freedom from generator curfews
- Allows independence from shore power hook-ups
- Removes unwanted vibrations
- Eliminates main-engine idling
- Uses clean, biodegradable methanol fuel
- Provides odor-free operation
- Reduces your carbon footprint and emissions
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How does it all work?
Fuel Cell Hybrid Power Systems Explained
About Conventional Hybrid Power
Conventional hybrid power systems blend the advantages of a power generating source—typically a gasoline or diesel generator—with batteries to provide power with higher efficiency. The Toyota Prius is one hybrid example.
About Fuel Cell Hybrid Power
Protonex’ revolutionary fuel cell hybrid power systems take this idea a bit further by combining a fuel cell power generator with conventional hybrid batteries, eliminating the many disadvantages associated with gasoline or diesel generators. When combined, the battery and the fuel cell are actually a perfect match, creating a system that has high surge capabilities, excellent endurance and extremely low environmental impact.
What does a fuel cell hybrid system consist of?
There are many variations, but the system schematic shown below is a good example of a typical system for your RV. As you can see, the power system consists of a fuel cell hybridized to a battery bank, fuel storage, an inverter charger, a hook-up connection, and load panels. The fuel cell provides system endurance since it can provide power as long as fuel is available and offers low environmental impact due to the highly efficient way that the system converts the chemical energy in the fuel into electrical energy. The hybrid battery bank provides the high surge capabilities needed to power the system loads. The inverter charger converts DC power to AC power and provides charging for the battery bank when shore power is available.
Now how does a fuel cell hybrid system work?
During times when shore power is unavailable, the fuel cell continuously monitors the state of charge of the hybrid battery bank. When the loads from the load panels drain the bank to a predetermined level, the fuel cell automatically turns on and charges the hybrid battery bank. When the fuel cell determines that the batteries have reached a full charge, it switches off and goes back to monitoring state of charge.
Why would I need a fuel cell hybrid system?
A fuel cell hybrid system provides a clean and quiet option for power when shore power is not available. If you are looking for a clean/green alternative to a generator, these systems have a carbon footprint 60% lower than a generator on a CO2/KWhr basis and almost zero (Hydrocarbons / CO / SOX / NOX) emissions. If a low noise system is of interest, the Fuel Cell Hybrid system runs quieter than a normal conversation without any annoying vibrations–a perfect power solution for quiet times.
What type of fuel does it use?
The M250-B system runs on clean, biodegradable methanol fuel available from Protonex. Methanol is one of the few fuels that naturally biodegrades in both soil and water. Methanol is also shelf-stable and does not degrade over time like gasoline or diesel.
How is it better?
A fuel cell hybrid power system converts chemical energy in the methanol fuel to electrical energy using a quiet, multi-stage electrochemical reaction, not a noisy combustion reaction that occurs in a conventional generator. Now what does this mean? The Protonex M250-B system converts the energy contained in the methanol fuel to electricity for your RV. Fuel cell hybrid power systems offer many benefits over traditional generators for RVing, including quiet operation, increased efficiencies, freedom from generator curfews, odor- and vibration-free power, and reduced emissions.
By incorporating advanced fuel cell and hybridization technology, the M250-B automatically manages your power needs, releasing you from the shore power tether. With the Protonex M250-B, you’re free to focus on the reason you RV in the first place.
Freedom from Noise
With the quiet, vibration-free Protonex M250-B in your RV you’ll fall asleep to the relaxing sounds of nature, not the drone of your power system—even if it is operating right next to you.
Freedom from Generator Curfews
The Protonex M250-B provides quiet, odor-free power so you can run your lights and electrical appliances even after generator curfew without disturbing your neighbors.
Freedom from Shore Power Reservations
Frustrated with making shore power reservations months in advance? The M250-B removes the reservation hassle and allows you to leave shore power behind.
Freedom from Dead Batteries
The fully automatic M250-B will keep your battery system in top condition without intervention so you can confidently venture to remote areas beyond access to the power grid.
Freedom from Fumes
Why put up with generator exhaust fumes? The Protonex system’s emissions are lower than a typical indoor gas stove – so low the Protonex M250-B can be run indoors with ventilation.
How clean and quiet is it?
Relative Noise Comparison
The noise and vibration emissions from the M250-B are so low that you can talk at the kitchen table with it operating right next to you.
Common Pollutants Comparison
The Protonex M250-B has emissions 1,000 times lower than a typical indoor gas stove—so low that it can be run indoors with minimal ventilation.
Carbon Footprint Comparison
The carbon footprint of a Protonex M250-B is 60% less than a conventional generator.
What can I power in my RV?
In many applications, a 250-watt fuel cell hybrid power system can provide power for the majority of your power needs when air conditioning is not needed (in fact you could run your air conditioning unit for a short period of time to get “comfortable” with a properly sized battery bank and inverter). Below is an energy usage profile of a typical RV that shows how energy demand varies greatly during the day. It also shows that a power source as small as 250W can provide this power with a properly sized battery bank.
Typical Loads
How can it be configured in my RV?
M250B Charger/Solar/Generator/Hookup
- Solar Panel
- Inverter/Charger
- Shore power
- Generator power
M250B Class C Hybrid
- Inverter/Charger
- Shore power
- Generator power
- Vehicle Alternator
M250B Class A Hybrid
- Inverter/Charger
- Shore power
- Generator power
- Parallel Units
- Vehicle Alternator
M250B Charger/Hookup
- Charger
- Shore power
- Parallel Units
M250B Solar/Plugin
- Solar Panel
- Inverter
What type of fuel does it use?
The M250-B system runs on clean, biodegradable methanol fuel available from Protonex. Methanol has low odor and is one of the few fuels that naturally biodegrades in both soil and water. Methanol has almost an infinite shelf life and does not degrade over time like gasoline or diesel fuel.
Is M63 Fuel comes packaged in convenient 2.5 gallon (10l) and 5 gallon (20l) rigid containers. These easy to handle packages are UN approved for shipment via UPS and FedEx and are completely recyclable.
To use the M63 Fuel, simply remove the child proof cap, install the quick connect fitting and plug in the fuel line - no pouring required.
When and where can I buy it?
The Protonex M250-B system will be available for purchase in Spring 2010—just in time for your summer RV adventures.
The M250-B will be available directly from Protonex via phone or on our website www.protonex.com. In the future, we are planning on making the M250-B available through select OEMs and RV dealers.
