41
Experiment #5
–
Powering a Motor Load
Purpose:
This experiment follows Experiment #4 in order to use the stored hydrogen that was generated by
electrolysis. A motor-propeller is used to demonstrate the fuel cell’s ability to power such a device,
albeit for a short amount of time. The results of the experiment explain the reasons why the
motor used in the experiment requires such a relatively large amount of power to operate.
Equipment:
1
Fuel cell assembly
1 Motor-propeller
1 Data
Acquisition
Card
1 USB
cable
2
Red test leads
2
Black test leads
1
PC computer with graphic software
Setup:
Setup the equipment as shown below:
Figure 5.1 – Motor Experiment Setup
1. Remove the red wire lead from the motor to the circuit card for now.
2. Make sure that the fuel cell is fully hydrated and the balloon filled with hydrogen.
3. Connect the USB cable between the circuit board and the computer and verify that the
green and blue LEDs on the circuit board are flashing.
4. Make sure the graphic software is running on the computer.
5. On the computer display, click on the Connect button at the lower-left on the screen and
verify that a red plot line is slowly moving across the bottom of the grid display.
Voltage
Current
Input
Output
Fuel Cell
Oxygen
Tube
Hydrogen
Baloon
