Kerosine Lamp Thermal Piles
In the 1950s The Old Soviet Union used to have thermal piles that sat on top of kerosine lamps, and powered old 5 tube radios.
They looked like a big round heat sink. Does anyone known of a (fair cost) source for these? Or how they we made, plans et, I assume they were low tech.
George King
geogeking@cosmicsalamander.com
I remember reading and seeing pictures of them in a electronics magazine when I was kid :D
http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2005/11/18/kerosene-radio/ (http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2005/11/18/kerosene-radio/)
and
http://oldradio.onego.ru/ARTICLES/RADIO/tgk_real_l.htm (http://oldradio.onego.ru/ARTICLES/RADIO/tgk_real_l.htm)
and
http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/POWER/thermoelectric/thermoelectric.htm (http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/POWER/thermoelectric/thermoelectric.htm)
free energy at its finest!
Great Links, thanks, I still wonder if someone still makes them?
George King
georgeking@cosmicsalamander.com
http://www.crazypc.com/products/5912.html
This is the device in its more efficient (modern) form.
this model here cools a computer CPU with a 12v input
but also doubles as a thermoelectric generator, you can create electricity by placing a heat source on one side, and even more by cooling the opposite side.
They make a circular version for use in the exhaust stacks of 18-wheeler trucks, to generate electricity from the waste heat.
Quote from: sm0ky2 on September 18, 2007, 10:52:45 PM
http://www.crazypc.com/products/5912.html
This is the device in its more efficient (modern) form.
this model here cools a computer CPU with a 12v input
but also doubles as a thermoelectric generator, you can create electricity by placing a heat source on one side, and even more by cooling the opposite side.
They make a circular version for use in the exhaust stacks of 18-wheeler trucks, to generate electricity from the waste heat.
That Peltier device at that link, am I reading this right?
If I apply heat/cold to this device I can get 24 amps out of it?
For $32 it is cheap enough to play with.
i bought the 4 i have they were $15 / each so you might want to shop around
Hey Smoky,
Have you tried using them as generators? If so, how much voltage and current were you able to generate?
the modules i have are rated at 12v .5A max. (6 watts)
to actually achieve this i have to maintain a temperature difference of about 110degrees between the sides.
this requires a cooling system on the cold side, and a decent heat source to stick the other side to.
i can easily get 3-5v @ .05 Amps with a Bic Lighter, but this drops off quickly as the "cold" side heats up.
the module will actually reach equilibrium and stop functioning if you dont keep moving the heat away from the cold side.
Could you not rig a heat sink to the cold side to slow its heating? This might help to keep it at ambient temp. I have seen these devices around for a while. This is what is used to cool/heat a small 12 volt car cooler/heater. there is a great technology here I think. Fun to explore.
Bill