Home Made Hydrogen Generators for Passenger Vehicles Information for responders regarding consumers’ efforts to make their dollars go farther

Response Units dispatched to an MVA Upon arrival responders find one vehicle with significant damage While assessing the vehicle, responders note a rust-colored spill and glass containers inside the hood

Vehicle has travelled through the far wall, displaced the dumpster, come to a stop, and then reversed back into the position pictured. Note the rust colored spill

Vehicle first travelled through these trees, then through the steel reinforced brick wall, pushing the dumpster forward

Responders make access to remove patient

Patient care and removal

Responders noted a wooden box visible beneath hood

A glass jar was noted in the box

Wires were noted to be attached to the jars filled with a rust-colored liquid

Hydrogen Generator At this point responders suspected a homemade hydrogen generator Hydrogen generators are meant to use electrical energy conducted through water to release and capture hydrogen, sending it through the vehicle’s air intake Design is meant to increase the efficiency of the combustion process, resulting in lower emissions and better fuel economy Kits and how-to guides are available online

Here you can identify the cathode and anode terminals on the jars, as well as the coil of electrolysis wires above the broken jar. This process results in the oxidation of the materials Anode (+) Cathode (-)

Immersion plates (in this case, wires) coiled around plastic frame

Wiring distributing power to the six electrolysis cells. Also note the flexible tubing for vapor transmission

Near firewall you can see the red manifold that consolidates hydrogen vapor from the six cells into one single tube

The consolidated vapor tube discharges directly into the air intake behind the air filter

A pH test of the liquid in the jar resulted in a 9.0 reading

There is a cutoff switch located on the dashboard to prevent power generation when vehicle is not running. Many systems are wires into the ignition switch to prevent power drain and excessive production

Note black box with blue wire attached. This may be the inverter used to boost the current to the cells above the 12V supplied by the battery

Precautions In the event shown, it is undetermined if the generator had anything at all to do with the accident. Responders questioned whether, if powered up for an extended period, the generator could have permeated the air in the engine’s intake with hydrogen sufficiently to burn in an explosive nature upon startup (accident occurred in a parking lot). Witnesses stated the vehicle was “revved up” near full throttle before, during, and after the crash This is merely speculation, and the likelihood of the generator being a contributing factor is unsubstantiated at this time Keep in mind that hydrogen is a flammable gas, so prevent sources of ignition in the area of these generators just as if dealing with gasoline or other flammable hazards, and secure power to the vehicle as early as possible to power down any active chemical process

Alternative fuel With the cost of gas what it is, expect to see more people try out ways to conserve fuel Commercial kits like this are available online Websites such as provide information and discussion pages on the subject of hydrogen as a power source Response Detail: Agencies: The Woodlands Fire Department, The Woodlands, TX Montgomery County Hospital District EMS Texas Dept Public Safety, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office 02 September, 2008