Using wood heat for more than heat

[dafattkidd]

So someone posted this incredible product on another thread http://www.biolitestove.com/campstove/camp-overview/features/

How far of a stretch is it to use this same technology and better utilize all the energy produced by wood heat?
Examples:

• self powered fans on inserts/stoves
• extra electrical outlets to power/charge small appliances or devices

If this small product can generate enough power to run a small fan and charge a cell phone, I can only imagine the energy generated from a larger source would be significantly greater. I would love to hear your opinions, especially the engineer minded members. Thanks.

 

[AnalogKid]

Wow, how cool is that?? Nice find.

 

[Augie]

The Biolite stove uses peltier plates for generating electricity

They are usually used the other direction, using electricity to cool electronics. If you buy a couple(they are cheap 2-3 dollars apiece) you could rig a powerhouse for something run off the heat of your wood stove. A radio, small Fan, or if your off grid a few of them could be used to charge small electronics. If you got really ambitious you could charge a small bank of Deep Cell Batteries that would give you power during the winter. Here are a couple of links to show you what is going on. If you rigged up a water cooling system for the cold side they would work even better. Try a small passive radiator sitting against a exterior window and some thin copper tube running to a heat ex changer attached to the peltier plate sitting on the stove.

I have been looking at this since last year when I installed my woodstove.

http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Stove-Fan-for-under-50/

 

[Augie]

 

[begreen]

There are a few threads on this topic in the green room.
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/biolite-electricity-from-a-stove.87456/
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/energy-is-limitless-one-small-example.57867/
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/anyone-using-thermo-electric-generators.17080/#post-1288353

 

[dafattkidd]

Great responses! Interesting ideas. Begreen I'll read through those other threads.