Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

water as energy for the car

May 24, 2008 7:36AM PDT

Has anyone seen or done the water for fuel conversion that is all over the internet.about $50 for the book and then about $60 for the parts to make it.
Does it work?? If I good get 5 more MPG out of my 1997 4 cyl Ford Ranger 2 whl drive I would be happy.My truck is a pig on gas. 114,000 mies but in great shape taken care of.
Anyone tried it?????????????????

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
I don't think so.
Jun 2, 2008 6:06AM PDT

I'm a chemist. Water is a compound of hydrogen and oxygen. It's already been "burned," and the only way to make it into a fuel is to dissociate the hydrogen from the oxygen, then store the hydrogen. That takes a lot of energy, usually from electricity. Your power bill will go way up.

In short, you can't get something from nothing. Try walking or taking the bus.

- Collapse -
I'm sure it won't work.
Jun 2, 2008 6:23AM PDT

For the exact reasons paoconnell mentioned. If you burn hydrogen, you get water + energy. But you can't make energy out of water.

The only way: hydroelectric power. But that's rather unpractical in a car. And you aren't really converting water to electricity then, but gravity. The easier way for that in a car: only ride down the mountain, never up.

Kees