USB Power from a Camp Stove

nuphoria · **on:** February 04, 2012, 01:13:06 AM

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 · **Reply #1 on:** February 04, 2012, 01:34:41 AM

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 · **Reply #2 on:** February 04, 2012, 01:40:06 AM

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

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #3 on:** February 04, 2012, 01:42:28 AM

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

Def

nuphoria · **Reply #4 on:** February 04, 2012, 01:57:11 AM

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

enki_ck · **Reply #5 on:** February 04, 2012, 01:58:27 AM

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 · **Reply #6 on:** February 04, 2012, 03:14:10 AM

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 · **Reply #7 on:** February 04, 2012, 03:20:58 AM

Quote from: Santos on February 04, 2012, 03:14:10 AM

(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 · **Reply #8 on:** February 04, 2012, 04:59:26 AM

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

turnsouth · **Reply #9 on:** February 04, 2012, 06:06:57 AM

Quote from: enki_ck on February 04, 2012, 01:58:27 AM

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

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

enki_ck · **Reply #10 on:** February 04, 2012, 01:04:18 PM

Quote from: turnsouth on February 04, 2012, 06:06:57 AM

Quote from: enki_ck on February 04, 2012, 01:58:27 AM
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 · **Reply #11 on:** February 04, 2012, 01:39:10 PM

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 · **Reply #12 on:** February 04, 2012, 04:26:47 PM

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 · **Reply #13 on:** February 04, 2012, 09:00:44 PM

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.

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #14 on:** February 04, 2012, 09:10:14 PM

Quote from: nuphoria on February 04, 2012, 09:00:44 PM

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

jzmtl · **Reply #15 on:** February 05, 2012, 03:47:41 AM

I think you'll probably be better off with a solar panel on your pack/kayak. Look at those fans you put on wood stoves, they cost hundreds dollars and barely make enough power to turn a really low power fan.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #16 on:** February 05, 2012, 04:16:50 AM

Wenger has some new solar panels that make more sense to me. I may try one out this year on my boat- they charge a battery pack that is then used to charge whatever you like, and it's potent enough (supposedly) to charge a laptop.

Def

jzmtl · **Reply #17 on:** February 05, 2012, 04:20:04 AM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on February 05, 2012, 04:16:50 AM

Wenger has some new solar panels that make more sense to me. I may try one out this year on my boat-
Def

Do they come in pink to match your boat?

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #18 on:** February 05, 2012, 04:25:47 AM

No, they come in red to match my boat though...

Def

Santos · **Reply #19 on:** February 05, 2012, 08:20:37 AM

flexible solar panels aren't exactly new, rigging a battery to one isn't that dificult either

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SOLAR-Panel-10-Watt-Marine-Grade-Semi-Flexible-/250872666327?pt=AU_Boat_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a692d18d7

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/20W-SEMI-Flexible-solar-panel-Mono-thin-can-walk-perfect-car-boat-camper-12V-/270903932194?pt=AU_Solar&hash=item3f1321f522

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #20 on:** February 05, 2012, 04:34:26 PM

When I said "new" I meant it was a new product from Wenger, not a new product on the market. I know they have been around for a while but this is the first time Wenger has offered them and I have faith in the Wenger brand so this is probably the first one I'll get.

Def

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk

Sparky415 · **Reply #21 on:** February 08, 2012, 11:55:48 AM

Interesting Chrissy

As above I wonder about the output and whether a solar panel would be more use (maybe charging a capacitor instead of a battery

$:-\$ )

Here's another one, you could rest your laptop on the top while it was charging

http://www.biolitestove.com/CampStove.html

TeeJay · **Reply #22 on:** February 10, 2012, 02:00:41 PM

Pretty cool

enki_ck · **Reply #23 on:** February 28, 2013, 12:49:39 AM

One year thread necromancy ...

Quote from: mvyrmnd on February 04, 2012, 04:59:26 AM

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

I was just thinking about this the other day and was wondering if you got the stove, and how you like it if you did?

Grumpy · **Reply #24 on:** February 28, 2013, 01:09:02 AM

love that tent, if you were going to do long term camping/touring it's ideal, the biolite is a brilliant concept, you have 3 functions in one! heating/cooking and mobile phone chargability! i use jetboils but i'd be willing to get one to try, i'd prefer to sit around a wood stove and be able to warm my hands