Author Topic: Fuel Cell Engines for Combat Vehicles .  (Read 1618 times)

Col Toda

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Fuel Cell Engines for Combat Vehicles .
« on: 12 January 2017, 11:40:50 »
When designing my own vehicles I like the idea of using a Fuel Cell Engine instead of ICE or Fusion .  It has the same motive power per ton than a light fusion engine . Some fusion Tanks do not use more than the 1 HS that a Fuel Cell Engine provides ( Patten ; Rommel ) for example .   Upgrade the weapon to advanced levels and you get a nice tank for not that more than the old Fusion on may be less . What stock vehicle do you think a Fuel Cell Conversion would be good ?

tomaddamz

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Re: Fuel Cell Engines for Combat Vehicles .
« Reply #1 on: 12 January 2017, 12:33:26 »
Fuel cell engines make designing vehicles easy.   There is no compromise as far as Speed, Firepower and Protection; everything gets better.  The only issue is cost as far as BV balancing, from a more strategic perspective, you also have issues of supply ( P.O.L), manufacturing capacity, and sustainability issues in the field. 
Saying that because the equipment isn't up-to-the-minute, bleeding-edge tech therefore not a threat is like saying an M2 Browning isn't dangerous to modern infantry because it is 100 years old.

Dragon Cat

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Re: Fuel Cell Engines for Combat Vehicles .
« Reply #2 on: 12 January 2017, 13:27:50 »
Yup works a treat.  IMO makes perfect sense as well.

If BT were the future of today instead of the future of the 80s I think Fuel Cells would be the norm and ICE only found on backward periphery worlds
My three main Alternate Timeline with Thanks fan-fiction threads are in the links below. I'm always open to suggestions or additions to be incorporated so if you feel you wish to add something feel free. There's non-canon units, equipment, people, events, erm... Solar Systems spread throughout so please enjoy

https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,20515.0.html - Part 1

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maxcarrion

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Re: Fuel Cell Engines for Combat Vehicles .
« Reply #3 on: 17 January 2017, 09:41:55 »
FCE is a bit of a no brainer in many cases.  In general

ICE - low tech
FCE - best for no energy weapons
SFE - take advantage of free heatsinks or switch to FCE
LFE/XLFE - expensive, top of the line, free heatsinks

So upgrading a scorpion, LRM carrier or vedette is easily done with an FCE as it's a straight upgrade that frees up weight to improve performance at minimal cost but a Myrmidon would not see it as an upgrade as the 10 free heatsinks is hugely important