So I used my insert for the first time last winter and it occurred to me that relying on the public utility for electricity was fine most of the time, but for power outages I was SOL. So I started looking at the possibilities for backup power, none of them very good. The blower fans for my Jotul 550 Rockland each use just under 90 watts. The small APC backup I have it attached to is good for only about 15 minutes. I had it left over from an aquarium I sold, so I re-purposed it.
Then I was reminded about thermoelectric generators. These seem perfect not just for backup power but for primary power for the blower fans, The down side seems to be cost. But when you compare it to the cost of a backup system, it seems the cost may not bee too bad. But if a wood stove manufacturer were to develop a regular product and include it with the stoves, the price would come down.
Provided the temperature difference between hot and cold sides of the generator are maintained, as the stove gets hotter, the generator just produces more power. So you get stove-powered electric blower fans. So long as you burn, you have power.
Of course, using more efficient fans that did not require 90 watts each would help. That power consumption surprised me when I calculated it. I would think Jotul would use more efficient fans, but I do not know all their design considerations and budget either.
I am not talking about powering my house from the stove, just the blower fans.
So are there any electrical engineers here that have looked at something like this?
are any manufacturers looking at this that we know of?
Thermoelectric generator WIKI
Then I was reminded about thermoelectric generators. These seem perfect not just for backup power but for primary power for the blower fans, The down side seems to be cost. But when you compare it to the cost of a backup system, it seems the cost may not bee too bad. But if a wood stove manufacturer were to develop a regular product and include it with the stoves, the price would come down.
Provided the temperature difference between hot and cold sides of the generator are maintained, as the stove gets hotter, the generator just produces more power. So you get stove-powered electric blower fans. So long as you burn, you have power.
Of course, using more efficient fans that did not require 90 watts each would help. That power consumption surprised me when I calculated it. I would think Jotul would use more efficient fans, but I do not know all their design considerations and budget either.
I am not talking about powering my house from the stove, just the blower fans.
So are there any electrical engineers here that have looked at something like this?
are any manufacturers looking at this that we know of?
Thermoelectric generator WIKI