Is there a fuel cell that would be clean and quiet enough for RV/Camper/Trailer use?
Gasoline generators are notoriously noisy (some are more quiet) and smelly. Many areas like US national parks have restrictions on the use of generators. Fuel cells are used in many space applications, they are perceived as clean and quiet.
Generators can cost upwards of a few thousand dollars, clean and quiet having value. If I had a budget of $10,000 (US) , could I purchase a fuel cell that would be appropriate for powering a RV/Camper/Trailer?
Why not solar?
Solar cells don't work well on cloudy days and under tree cover, Most (not all) campsites in the US that are primitive (without amenities like power) are under the heavy cover of an established forest.
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I'm not totally clear on your power requirements, but what about solar? For smaller applications there are companies like Goal Zero that provide camp-friendly, turn-key battery and solar panel applications.
If the RV is large you could probably contact a major solar installer to line the roof with panels and outfit it with the proper sized battery bank.
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There are fuel cells with 12V output designed for this application, at least considering it as a battery charging task (random internet example at 100W). Methanol cells are more expensive but the fuel is easier to store.
Certainly they get much more expensive as the power output increases.
(Included for completeness)
Not an answer: LPG generators are supposed to be quiet if you have LPG on board. Whether they're sufficiently quiet is another matter, but don't forget you only need to charge a battery, not to run continuously.
Probably not an answer: 12V/300W wind turbines exist at around £750 (call it $1000). Normally they're used in conjunction with solar, and the same trees that block your sun would also block the wind.
This post was sourced from https://outdoors.stackexchange.com/a/14047. It is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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