How to make a thermoelectric generator and charge your phone with candle heat
Using this thermal generator, you can charge your cell phone in places where there is no electricity. The device produces 5 V DC voltage at a load of up to 1 A. The device is based on a Peltier thermoelectric module, which is used in computers to cool processors.
What you will need:
- Peltier module TEC1-12705 - http://alii.pub/5p40l2
- Thermal paste-glue - http://alii.pub/69qbtw
- Boost Converter - http://alii.pub/5p40ra
- USB charging module - http://alii.pub/5p40ra
- Cooler 12 V - http://alii.pub/69rhkd
- 2 radiators of different sizes - http://alii.pub/69rhm4
Making a simple thermoelectric generator
The Peltier module is a kind of ceramic plate with two terminals. If one side of it is heated and the other is cooled, the module will generate electric current.
To evenly distribute the heat of the candle over the surface of the module, a small radiator will be used.
Apply heat-conducting glue to the surface. We distribute it evenly and install the module.
In order to cool the second surface well, on the other side we will glue a more massive radiator onto the same hot glue.
To the resulting structure we will glue legs made of 4 strips of aluminum.
We glue the cooler to the large radiator using super glue. Active cooling will increase the efficiency of the generator.
We will install the structure on a plexiglass base and secure it with glue.
The voltage received from the module will not be enough; a converter is used to increase it. And to charge the phone - a charging module with a USB output. We glue the boards to the base with double-sided tape.
We connect the wires and connect the fan.
Solder the wires to the converter from the Peltier module.
The generator is ready. An ordinary candle was used as a heat source. We light it and place it under the radiator.
Initially, there is not enough voltage even to start the fan. But after warming up, it reaches 5 V and is stabilized by the converter.
Now you can connect your smartphone and check the charging operation.