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i know its possible; i just dont know how well it will work. i am thinking about buying one to try it.
pseudonomen137 said:It works, just not very efficiently. Such processes are actually used commercially, but not often. Just like how you can apply electricity and generate a temperature differential, you can use a peltier in reverse (a seeback junction? ) to generate electricity from a temperature difference. So stick one side on a heatsink, and either heat or cool the other, and you'll measure a voltage across the leads. (shameless plug: BTW, I sell TECs at decent prices if you're interested)
charleytown55il said:i know its possible; i just dont know how well it will work. i am thinking about buying one to try it.
heruursciences said:Did it for a science project: Peltiers generate lots of AMPS but very little voltage, efficiency is abysmal when used as a generator. Commercially made versions use a radioactive heat source, typically Pu 241, Pu 239, Sr 90, or Po 210. The polonium 210 units are by far the most powerful, but shortest lived.
You can build a peltier battery from some automotive or camp heater catalyst, some square or rectangular stainless tubing, silicone glue, a massive heat sink, and 12- 127 couple peltiers in series. The output is 3 to 5V at roughly 6 to 7 amps feed it with gasoline vapor, alcohol vapors, propane, natural gas or hydrogen. Waste heat is over a kilowatt!