USB Power from a Camp Stove

[nuphoria]

New concept to me, and something I find really exciting:

http://biolitestove.com/CampStove.html


BioLite also make a home stove and the technology is interesting. Don't know how much USB power you get from the heat, but I think the idea is brilliant 

[Grant Lamontagne]

That is pretty cool!

Someone on Facebook earlier posted a picture of a tent with solar panels on it that I kind of fell in love with but probably can't afford!

Def

[mvyrmnd]

Must.... Have.... One!

[Grant Lamontagne]

http://www.beautifullife.info/urban-design/glastonbury-solar-tent-from-orange/

Def

[nuphoria]

That is rather lovely too... and yes, being green isn't cheap!

[enki_ck]

I love the idea of that stove, I just wonder how the heat -> electricity works? 

They field tested it in India, Ghana, Uganda and Kenya. I saw a documentary recently about the problems in Kenya they had with electricity. Most of the villages don't have electricity but have cell phones for emergencies and such. To charge them they have to drive/hike for miles to get to the nearest town and pay high fees to charge their cell phones. This seems to tackle that problem.

http://biolitestove.com/HomeStove_Field_Trials.html

[Santos]

this is why i have long breaks from this forum. 

In the 3 days or so since i've been back i have bought a Crkt RSK, and getting an izula (plus a stainless when its released... and a candiru)   


and now i need a USB heat stove


At least with the ten i'm happy to be pragmatic and just 'make do' with a giant solar panel + tent
(Be interesting to see the patent for the stove, i'm sure i could work it all out, but it less work to read the process from the source)

[Santos]

(Be interesting to see the patent for the stove, i'm sure i could work it all out, but it less work to read the process from the source)

gee i'm so stupid, its on their website, and within a year we will have the DYI types converting old 12v car cooler fridges into hobo biolites

[mvyrmnd]

I just reserved one. I love the idea of these, I just hope it works as advertised!

[turnsouth]

I love the idea of that stove, I just wonder how the heat -> electricity works? 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoelectric_effect

[enki_ck]

I love the idea of that stove, I just wonder how the heat -> electricity works? 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoelectric_effect

Thanks, a lot of interesting info there.

[nuphoria]

I'm not really a physicist, but I got the gist... just thought it's another weapon in the arsenal of non-oil dependant power, and that you lot would enjoy checking it out.

Not negating that you still need the carbon to burn, but it's a lot more efficient than older stoves this far... it's all good and it's all very clever

[Grant Lamontagne]

That is an interesting concept, but I wonder how much output there really is compared to something like a solar panel? 

One of the benefits I see to something like this is that when I go kayaking I usually paddle during the day and make camp in the late afternoon or evening.  With a solar tent, I would only have it set up for a few hours of not optimum sunlight in the evening and maybe again in the morning before I pack it away and load up the boat again. 

This leads me to wonder how much energy this could produce in the relatively short amount of time I am using it to cook supper, and would I have to keep it burning all night just so I can charge my phone?

Def

[nuphoria]

Yep, that's what I want to know - the figures regarding actual output.

It seems the basics of thermoelectrics have been around a good while, but it hasn't been implemented in a viable and cost effective way. Perhaps this isn't perfect, but a great step in the right direction.

[50ft-trad]

Yep, that's what I want to know - the figures regarding actual output.

It seems the basics of thermoelectrics have been around a good while, but it hasn't been implemented in a viable and cost effective way. Perhaps this isn't perfect, but a great step in the right direction.

I'd agree with that. The big feller looks like it might not be too bad. I'm thinking car camping, caravanning or boating - but then chances are you've got better electric supply options anyway. The smaller version ... I'm not sold on to be honest. Nice idea, but strikes me as a little too gimmicky. I can see this being something like a freeloader system, which takes a multitude of cycles to provide much charge - maybe enough charge for a panic text message, but that's it I reckon  Not something I'd choose to cart around with me I'm afraid