There is a
saying "You get what you pay for". HHO is experimental. The metals used
are subjected to caustic water environments and electrical charges. Type
316L stainless steel is expensive, yet it is the least expensive of the
metals that work the best under the
harsh conditions. Not only that, but it is a very hard metal to cut and
drill. The most popular HHO Generator style is the Dry Cell design. The
electrode plates, when assembled, form their own water containment.
Special holes are cut in each plate for allowing water compartments to
refill and circulate water, and allow HHO gases a means of escaping. The
alignment of these holes is critical to the generators operating
efficiency. All of the hardware, that comes in contact with the water,
must be made from the same
316L metal, or from plastics that are capable of handling the caustics
and the heat that is generated.
The assembly of all of the above is also critical to the operation.
Plate spacing must be exact. The parts must be the exact size. The
plates and gaskets are either cut by CNC laser or water jet cutters. The
machines are computer programmed and controlled. That means someone has
to program every detail about the size, shape, special dimensions, and
holes. That requires building an electronic blue print to follow. The
process is tedious and expensive. The metals are expensive. The shipping
of special order parts are expensive. HHO companies are forced to build
these generators in quantities, in order to keep costs down. They buy
4'x8' sheets of metal that normally sell for $25 a square foot; and
sheets of specialized hard plastic, and sheets of specialized gasket
material, and then there are assembly bolts, washers, and nuts (all 316L
stainless steel). The parts list goes on.
Because HHO is experimental, not just anyone understands how to install
it; or what is require to install it, or what safety precautions need to
be made. When you order a Kit, as you say, it contains all of the normal
hardware; the wiring, the wiring connectors, the hoses, the clamps, the
Bubbler Tanks, the power controller, the gauges, the installation Manuel
and instructions, and a lot of times it contains special electronics to
control or fool computerized electronic exhaust emissions systems.
Most companies provide you a choice of purchase; just the generator, or
the kit. It is your choice. You choose to build the unit yourself,
purchase an un-assembled generator, purchase an assembled generator, or
a complete kit.
There are low cost units and kits available. Once you see a quality
unit, you will be able to recognize a low quality unit. Sometimes, the
only difference is "What's Inside". Sometimes the only difference is
Customer Support. Sometimes the difference is only shipping and costs
associated with it.
The electronics may be the difference in cost. The PWMs supplied to
power the cell may be the reason for high costs. The type of ammeter,
analog or digital, plays a part in cost.
I can see how you are concerned with the expense. I have done all of
this on my own, without any knowledge of the performance outcome of my
own Build. I assure you, Experimenting is not cheap. It can be a
blessing to purchase a product that has gone thru testing and found to
be reliable and quality enough to offer to the public. I don't know if
Geshho is the best company, but I state, "They are the best I have
seen".
If better mpg is what you are after, it is an uphill battle. We are
forced to use computerized emissions systems that keep us from obtaining
the Best fuel efficiency. We are forced to buy gasoline's that have been
blended to keep us from obtaining the Best fuel efficiency, and to keep
us from using additives that used to provide better fuel efficiency -
before all of this blending of fuel started. You want better mpg, with
the least expense, lighten your load, air up your tires, use better
synthetic oils, use better breathing Air filters, use Volo Performance
Chips (they work even without HHO), us Pulstar Pulse Plugs to increase
your ignition spark, coast when you
can, coast to a stop, don't turn so sharp, use high mileage rubber and
tires; and if you can afford it, buy fuel efficient to start with.
Purchase a Scangauge and use it to monitor your driving habits.
You have a choice; drive the way you do or drive greener. That is the
most mpg rewarding thing you can do. Help your engine breath more air
(the oxygen in the air is what makes the combustion). Help your engine
reduce friction. Help your engines Spark. Help your wheels turn easier,
roll easier.
HHO is not a miracle cure. It only works if the computer allows it.
Remove the computer control and it does work; every time. We need a
higher percentage of Oxygen in order to get better fuel economy. The
problem is, the computer maintains 14.7 parts air with each part of fuel
vapor. 14.9 makes a big difference; 15 even better.People usually
zero in on the generator and forget about what else is needed to make
the whole system work. This is a gimmick
that many companies use to reduce the overall
cost. For example they exclude PWM and EFIE. Also, the amount of driving
will determine how fast you will recoup the
cost. A person commuting 80 miles to work and back, will
recoup the cost much faster than someone
using the car to go to the supermarket and back.
I hope - somewhere in my answer, you find the answer you are looking
for.
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