PPrepper knowledge! Alternative power and solutions

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

"Home-Thermoelectric-generator TEG modules 100W wood stove generator" https://thermoelectric-generator.com

 

 

[DennisThornton 4,769]

4 minutes ago, Wheel Horse 3D said:

1 hour of cooking with 1 liter of biomass. Not bad.

"Backyard Biogas 101: We Answer 9 Important Questions | Modern Farmer" https://modernfarmer.com/2018/06/backyard-biogas-101-we-answer-9-important-questions/#:~:text=A home biogas digester is,released as organic waste decomposes.&text=Biogas digesters – a simple form,have been around for centuries.

Not bad at all if it works as stated!  Any more examples?

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

9 minutes ago, DennisThornton said:

Lots of dead wood around here cooking (rocket stove?) and heating.  Making and storing electricity is higher on my list.  BIG Biolite?  A panel to mount on my woodstove?  Or something to just throw in a fire with a USB cord out?

Usually a panel type mount.

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

"Make a Biogas Generator to Produce Your Own Natural Gas | MOTHER EARTH NEWS" https://www.motherearthnews.com/renewable-energy/other-renewables/biogas-generator-zm0z14aszrob

Here they have better numbers in percent conversion, and cubit feet of gas produced.

Edited May 26, 2021 by Wheel Horse 3D

[DennisThornton 4,769]

1 minute ago, Wheel Horse 3D said:

Usually a panel type mount.

I've seen the BioLite working.  Simple tech and I've not sure why we don't see more?

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

7 minutes ago, DennisThornton said:

I've seen the BioLite working.  Simple tech and I've not sure why we don't see more?

Me either...i realize its a bit heavy for an ultralite hiker, but it seems like they discontinue the cool stuff like the Base Camp stove with pizza dome, perfect for a cabin or permanent camp...then a kettle that ya boil water in to produce electricity with really good out put....both discontinued. Gotta look hard to find em and then theyre a bit pricey.

Ive had my eye on em for a while hopin thyd come down a bit then they discontinue and prices go up!

Edited May 26, 2021 by Wheel Horse 3D

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

But if ya used some peltier modules, or TEG modules, should be pretty easy to wire em up and get one side hot and one side cool.

[DennisThornton 4,769]

1 minute ago, Wheel Horse 3D said:

Me either...i realize its a bit heavy for an ultralite hiker, but it seems like they discontinue the cool stuff like the Base Camp stove with pizza dome, perfect for a cabin or permanent camp...then a kettle that ya boil water in to produce electricity with really good out put....both discontinued. Gotta look hard to find em and then theyre a bit pricey.

Great ideas still need great marketing!  Look what marketing can do with Chia Pet!

But why isn't the principle more DIY centric?

[DennisThornton 4,769]

1 minute ago, Wheel Horse 3D said:

But if ya used some peltier modules, or TEG modules, should be pretty easy to wire em up and get one side hot and one side cool.

I was just thinking "peltier" while typing!  But for now I'd be happy to just charge my cell phone with a small fire.

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

1 minute ago, DennisThornton said:

Great ideas still need great marketing!  Look what marketing can do with Chia Pet!

But why isn't the principle more DIY centric?

It can be. Just gotta find the modules(which are more efficient than the homebrew thermocouples)

[DennisThornton 4,769]

2 minutes ago, Wheel Horse 3D said:

It can be. Just gotta find the modules(which are more efficient than the homebrew thermocouples)

Seems most are just used to test for heat rather than use the electricity.  Yet the little Boilite actually works.  Wouldn't be trying to run the 220 water pump, just charge the phone.

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

Mr Tessalonian outlines the bare bones diy thermocouples and how to set em up etc.

I think he tosses the setup in a fire at some point, maybe another of his videos.

https://youtu.be/gdzRktn7j3A

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

A search for TEG modules ahould get ya closer to the modules

[DennisThornton 4,769]

5 minutes ago, Wheel Horse 3D said:

Mr Tessalonian outlines the bare bones diy thermocouples and how to set em up etc.

I think he tosses the setup in a fire at some point, maybe another of his videos.

https://youtu.be/gdzRktn7j3A

.250 is going to need some help to get to over 5v.  Lots of twisting!  Would be ok if some amps came with it...  I don't know how Biolite got there.  

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

Rated around 4a at 12v...

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

So for 30 bucks or so, ya got a 20A 12v system.

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

Id add some diodes to be sure you cant discharge whatever whenever your modules cool.

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

Pretty sure they make them in 5 or 6v, one, a diode, and a usb plug should be sufficient for a phone.

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

Lol maybe i should add some diy generators to my catalog!

[DennisThornton 4,769]

5 minutes ago, Wheel Horse 3D said:

Rated around 4a at 12v...

Oh MY!  You have my attention!

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

Now this is how they are rated as a cooling device w/ 12v applied i guess, so maybe output would be different.

[DennisThornton 4,769]

2 minutes ago, Wheel Horse 3D said:

Pretty sure they make them in 5 or 6v, one, a diode, and a usb plug should be sufficient for a phone.

Why a diode?

And I've intended to research what's needed to charge a cell phone.  Esp now that fast charging is more common.

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

Here we go, this one, with a 100 degree difference between sides is 4 plus volts at 600ma.

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

4 minutes ago, DennisThornton said:

Why a diode?

Just to keep the current in one direction, if your hot side ever gets cold, and yer cold side warmer, your current would wanna go the other way and drain any of your batteries

[Wheel Horse 3D 3,795]

Maybe some heat sinks or water cooled on the cold side?