Patent ID: 7381486

Claim:
A start-up control device for a fuel cell system provided with a fuel cell which performs power generation using hydrogen and oxygen, a water tank which stores water to be supplied to the fuel cell, and a heating device which defrosts the water inside the tank during activation of the fuel cell, the control device comprising: signal means for signaling activation of the fuel cell; detecting means for detecting a temperature inside the water tank; pump means for conveying water from the water tank to the fuel cell; heating means for warming the pump means; and reading means for reading a start temperature from said detecting means upon reception of a signal from signal means; first calculating means for calculating on the basis of the read start temperature a first warm-up period required for the water inside the water tank to reach a predetermined temperature greater than zero degrees centigrade; second calculating means for calculating on the basis of the read start temperature a second warm-up period required to defrost ice inside the pump means using the heating means; setting means for setting a start time for warm-up of the pump means using the heating means on the basis of a difference between the first warm-up period and the second warm-up period; and control means for controlling the heating means to begin generating heat at the start time for warm-up of the pump means.