Author Topic: Having a go at Seebeck generation for this winter  (Read 3026 times)

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DamonHD

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Having a go at Seebeck generation for this winter
« on: May 26, 2014, 09:15:13 AM »
Not that I've got too few projects on, but I quite fancy in the first instance providing an accurate self-powered external temperature measurement in the winter away from the house for HDD (heating-degree-day) measurement.  That might only require tens of microwatts to run one of my modified Arduino designs, at a pinch.

If that generates enough though, I'd quite like it to supplement PV output in the depths of winter, and here are the few notes that I have made so far.

http://www.earth.org.uk/ground-source-heat-pump.html#Seebeck

Rgds

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Bruce S

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Re: Having a go at Seebeck generation for this winter
« Reply #1 on: May 29, 2014, 08:33:18 AM »
Interesting read.
I've been using a few of the smaller TEGs from past "tests" as heat sinks for my bridge diodes, they seam to work best when I over do the heat pipe.
Best of Luck!
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DamonHD

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Re: Having a go at Seebeck generation for this winter
« Reply #2 on: June 29, 2014, 09:46:08 AM »
The generator unit turned up about a week ago and I finally go a round tuit, ie a pretty basic test that it is working...

http://www.earth.org.uk/note-on-TEG-thermo-electric-generator.html

So, I can light an LED with hot water on the business end of the TEG!

And I may well get my entire off-grid server system down to below 2W with a stripped-down Raspberry Pi Model B (replacing my venerable SheevaPlug):

http://www.earth.org.uk/note-on-Raspberry-Pi-setup.html

so I'd only need about 20(!) of these units to power it from ground-source heat this winter!

Rgds

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Bruce S

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Re: Having a go at Seebeck generation for this winter
« Reply #3 on: June 30, 2014, 08:55:31 AM »
DamonHD;
One thing I have noticed; like most everything else, these do wear out. I've begun to see the cute little hot/cool coolers set out for bulk pickup. I being a thrifty sort, pick them up and test them to see what if anything is wrong with them. Most of the smaller units are way way over driven and the TEG is simply worn out. Where purchasing a similar unit off ebay or H.K. direct, a quick swap-out and it's all set for another round.
In the larger units, the AC-to-DC controller is bad, but the chip is okay.
Have fun!
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DamonHD

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Re: Having a go at Seebeck generation for this winter
« Reply #4 on: June 30, 2014, 08:33:24 PM »
Thanks!

This thing is a little Heath Robinson / Rube Goldberg as it is, or should I say 'hand-crafted', so I shall be amazed if it lasts a long time.

However, with a bit of TLC many of my ramshackle R&D items have done well, eg my SheevaPlug is coming up to it's fifth year, the experimental LiPOP4 battery is still hanging in there, etc, etc!

Rgds

Damon
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