Bio Stove ... Thermo Electric Charger

Great post Myrrph!!!

note on my order list

if you do order this, order the cooking pots and stuff that come in a package, apparently (on good advice) it's the best way to go

if I ever get around to ordering one will post a review

I loved the idea when I first saw this, and having had a background in electronics, I just had to look into it their capabilities.  In having done so, I can see how it has it's uses, particularly if you wanted to get power whilst inside.  Whilst solar to my mind would be primary because it's better bang for buck, it's certainly got some specific uses and I have edited this to reflect that. 

So to 'add' additional info reflecting and comparing solar versus thermo, I have included the following info.

Here's a real world use vid.



Max continuous: 2W @5v, Peak: 4W @5v. - so 2W 'max' continuous and this is only if you can maintain a temperature difference, have to feed it constantly, yadda yadda and sit around for at least 5hrs to charge a phone.  The cup charger is here which seems to be a better, but I don't recommend it either, I recommend using a solar panels.

For stationary
For the equivalent $150ish you can get a really good size [100W+basic charge controller], or you can go portable that will charge potentially charge your phone in 10mins, though your phone will limit the charge speed.  Basically you have more power than you need to charge a phone and you can use that for other tasks.  Perhaps getting a smaller panel with a battery backup and basic inverter [you can just about do it for $200, 40W panel, 40aH battery, cheap inverter, cheap charge controller] and you have a charge/power centre you can use with any low current devices, at any time of the day with far more capabilites. 

For portibility
You could also go something like this for $124, that's 28W, very portable and you don't have to feed it fuel, even lying it flat [not optimal], even in the middle of winter [less sun light and less intensity] it will provide much more power than the thermal electricity generators who at best are 2W, is cheaper and you don't have to feed it sticks every minute so can do other important things. 


You could also go the large battery, small panel as per HERE.  23,000aH [5-6 phone charges] with a 2.25W panel which is about the same output and yet will hold onto a good deal of charge when you're using your phone/radio.  I don't recommend it, I'd spend the money on the panels and use the phone to store the energy, though it may be relevant to some applications.

Ausprepper [Wayne] is the real expert on portable solar, having sold and used them for many years.  Gaz uses a fridge powered by solar for more static operations and both have given plenty of insights into the merits of solar. 

So compared to solar, thermo electric isn't a first runner though would have it's uses and would remain a potential energy/battery charging.  Having said that, I see how if you made your own [only a few bucks in parts really] then it might turn out to be something that could work as backup to something like solar

As I yours. I think I'm reconsidering my position as you're right about redundancies, even having a couple of versions of solar I can see how if you need to be inside and want to charge a phone it could be useful. Going to edit to reflect this thinking.

An old mantra and very true.

Check the video Shinester shared.

It really depends on the wattage of the TE device.

I like the idea of using a large TE device and using water as the coolant as opposed to air. This means you generate electricity cooking stews, soups, rice and boiling water.

Just my 2cents

best way. Get a higher TE value and build your own!

I'm waiting for august when my bonus comes in to buy the parts to build a couple, myself!

yup, just a peltier.

I like the idea of using a pot over the air cooled version of the biostove. but I could be wrong.

Give it a try and share the results!

cool! gonna head down to some electronic shops to buy the Peltiers in August when the bonus comes in