Campsite lanterns

[whoofit]

[quote source="/post/15542/thread" timestamp="1443362920" author="@pjcd"]Yes, I like the biolite, (I bought it when it was on one of those "kick start" programs), but I feel that you have to tend the fire too much, I had a rocket stove and I had the same problem. I did buy their Base Camp model, was never happy with it, compared to their little stove, the workmanship on the base camp was terrible, (maybe I just got a bad one). I ended up selling it for half of what I paid, and to be honest I don't miss it all.[/quote][p]I have changed to loading the Biolite Campstove fully. Jam packed with wood up to 3/4" in thickness stacked in like sardines. Then cover the top with small stuff, tinder maybe a couple spikes of fatwood. Burn it from the top down with the fan set to low and enjoy run times of ~20 minutes unattended.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Basically running it as a TLUD...a top lit updraft. Check it out!
[/p]

[pjcd]

Just picked up 40 lbs of wood pellets for $6 from Walmart, ( god I hate walmart). When I get my firefly I'll see how long it'll take to use it up.  8^)

[whoofit]

 I have 2 ton of bagged Rice Coal I use for the coal stoker. It's comical I need to source some pellets now...

[admin]

For those of you with the biolite or similar systems, have you ever toyed with the idea of making your own? As I understand it, the biolite systems just use a peltier device to generate the current. If I understand the concept correctly, its the same device used in small portable coolers. They generate a chilled side when a current is applied to them.

I've thought about this a bit but never had enough time to tinker with it yet.

[whoofit]

[quote source="/post/15702/thread" author="@admin" timestamp="1443791922"]For those of you with the biolite or similar systems, have you ever toyed with the idea of making your own? As I understand it, the biolite systems just use a peltier device to generate the current. If I understand the concept correctly, its the same device used in small portable coolers. They generate a chilled side when a current is applied to them.

I've thought about this a bit but never had enough time to tinker with it yet.[/quote][p]Yes it is a TEC not unlike the coolers. The greater the deltaT between plates determines output. Sounds sexy but it is limited. You need a large sink to have great benefit. I don't really count on the Biolite for device charging. Sure, it will do it somewhat once it's internal battery is full but it takes constant feeding to get large amounts of excess power to charge external devices. The Biolite was designed first and foremost as a forced updraft stove that is self contained. For that purpose it is a wonderful device. Smokeless.[/p][p]
[/p][p]I also own the Powerpot. It has a TEC built into the base. It is best suited to melting ice and snow in winter to generate max output. Good thing about the Powerpot is it will operate over a simple three stone fire and you can continuously refill it with more cold snow, ice and water to keep it cranking the amps.[/p][p]
[/p][p]I would suggest building a "Powerpot" device if you were to experiment, Sean. Play close attention to the thermal expansion coefficients of the materials and never run it dry. TECs are pretty fragile.
[/p]

[tinkeringtechie]

[quote source="/post/15702/thread" timestamp="1443791922" author="@admin"]For those of you with the biolite or similar systems, have you ever toyed with the idea of making your own? As I understand it, the biolite systems just use a peltier device to generate the current. If I understand the concept correctly, its the same device used in small portable coolers. They generate a chilled side when a current is applied to them.

I've thought about this a bit but never had enough time to tinker with it yet.[/quote]I have the biolite campstove and basecamp (love both). I was so interested in the idea of charging my trailer using propane and a TEG that I eventually found a company that makes high(er) efficiency TEG's for industrial markets:

https://www.alphabetenergy.com/

After a few emails with them they said they could sell the individual modules (7W) to me for $30/each. I was thinking of putting 4 together to make a 28W emergency charger. I never got around to it though because of shifting project priorities. Maybe sometime in the near future. The idea was to have a backup for my solar charger when we're at a shady spot or it's overcast.

[whoofit]

[quote source="/post/15710/thread" timestamp="1443803879" author="@tinkeringtechie"][quote source="/post/15702/thread" author="@admin" timestamp="1443791922"] The idea was to have a backup for my solar charger when we're at a shady spot or it's overcast.[/quote][/quote][p]I often wondered about the efficiency of doing this with LP heated Seebecks versus an LP inverter generator. The main difference between the two would be routine. The generator routine would take place after several consecutive days of no Sun where the sub 30W TEC routine would be more for doing after much less no Sun durations. Maybe every other day.[/p][p]
[/p][p]The inverter generator being capable of a much faster recharge rate but at the cost of inefficiencies. The TECs being only 20% (at best) efficient, similar to a solar panel but with fuel needed. I wonder just how efficient the inverter generator really is vs the TEC. I am of the belief that as long as the inverter generator is operating at 75% capacity or more then it is the winner. Otherwise the TECs might win even with all their shortcomings.[/p][p]
[/p][p]TECs seem to work best with an abundant excess of heat, i.e. the Biolite and Powerpot, or where waste heat is found. Similar to Solar panels, we would not want spend the energy to shine a light on them to get them to work. But if that light came from a different energy source other than what we were trying to create it might make sense.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Oh, the conundrum... (rofl)
[/p]

[tinkeringtechie]

[quote source="/post/15718/thread" timestamp="1443814698" author="@whoofit"][quote source="/post/15710/thread" timestamp="1443803879" author="@tinkeringtechie"][/quote][p]I often wondered about the efficiency of doing this with LP heated Seebecks versus an LP inverter generator. The main difference between the two would be routine. The generator routine would take place after several consecutive days of no Sun where the sub 30W TEC routine would be more for doing after much less no Sun durations. Maybe every other day.[/p][p]
[/p][p]The inverter generator being capable of a much faster recharge rate but at the cost of inefficiencies. The TECs being only 20% (at best) efficient, similar to a solar panel but with fuel needed. I wonder just how efficient the inverter generator really is vs the TEC. I am of the belief that as long as the inverter generator is operating at 75% capacity or more then it is the winner. Otherwise the TECs would win even with all their shortcomings.[/p][p]
[/p][p]TECs seem to work best with an abundant excess of heat, i.e. the Biolite and Powerpot, or where waste heat is found. Similar to Solar panels, we would not want spend the energy to shine a light on them to get them to work.
[/p][/quote]The inverter generator is probably more efficient, but it's also much more expensive and noisy (a TEG based LP generator could be nearly silent). My plan was to make manifolds for the water heater and furnace exhaust so that some energy could be recovered from waste exhaust gases. Neither is hot enough to operate at maximum output, but it would still generate something. When I'm not using those I would connect it to a propane torch (like one of those bernzomatic torches). Not sure if I would air cool or water cool. Most of the efficiency specs show 100C for the "cool" side so obviously they use water.

[whoofit]

I can only add that these device charging options like the Biolite make power far better in the dead of Winter for obvious reasons. Makes me look at that large aluminum heat sink we camp in under a different light.

[walt3]

I have the single and the triple version of the Uco lanterns. We love ours. Safe inside, help with condensation, soft light, and the big one will warm up almost boil water.

[pjcd]

I have a single candle, candle lantern, I've had it since the stone age. I used them when tent camping and evan when Sandy hit us.