Tyler Brooks
It is possible to generate electricity from two candles using a thermoelectric generator. This generator captures the heat from the candles and converts it into electricity, which can then be used to power an LED that is brighter than the candle itself. This process involves using a heat sink that gets cold when electricity is applied to the module, with the candle placed below the hot heat sink. While this method may not be ideal for everyday use, it can be a low-cost, long-term, and portable solution for lighting, especially in emergency situations or areas without electricity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Heat source | Two candles |
| Principle | Heat is converted to electricity |
| Mechanism | Thermoelectric generator, Stirling engine, Peltier heat sink assembly |
| Components | Electric candle, heat sink, aluminum rod, shaft collars, red wire, electrical tape, tissue, candle |
| Cost | Low |
| Safety | Requires a fire extinguisher |
| Efficiency | Low |
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What You'll Learn
Using a thermoelectric generator
Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) can be used to generate electricity from two candles. This is achieved by using the temperature difference between the candles and a cool water tray to generate electricity. The TEG is a solid-state semiconductor device that converts heat differences directly into electricity.
To build a thermoelectric generator, you will need the following materials:
- 10 candles
- An aluminum tray
- A thermoelectric cooler (TEC)
- Insulation tape
- Solder wire
- Soldering iron
Firstly, place the aluminum tray on a heat-resistant surface and arrange the candles around it. Secure the TEC to the tray using insulation tape, ensuring they are evenly spaced. The TEC is a crucial component, transferring heat between two electrical junctions to create a temperature difference, known as the Peltier or Seebeck effect.
Next, you will need to connect the TEC to a power supply. This will cause one side of the plate to heat up while the other cools down. You can then use the generated electricity to power devices.
It is important to note that the efficiency of generating electricity this way is not impressive, and it may take a long time to break even on the cost of the materials. However, it can be a fun and rewarding project, and the setup may be useful in certain situations, such as when camping.
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Converting heat to electricity
The process of converting heat to electricity is known as thermoelectric generation. This process can be achieved using a candle as a heat source, powering an LED that is brighter than the candle itself.
One method to achieve this is by using a thermocouple array, which has been used in the past to power radios. A more modern approach involves using a Peltier heat sink assembly, with an electric candle, tea lights, aluminium rods, shaft collars, and wires. The heat sink gets cold when electricity is applied to the module, and the shaft collars are slid up the aluminium rod and fastened into place. The rods are then slid through the corner holes so that the heat sink rests on the shaft collars, with the "cool" side facing up. The height of the shaft collars is adjusted so that a candle can be placed comfortably underneath, with about an inch of clearance for the flame. The excess rod material is trimmed, and the red wire from the Peltier junction is connected to the positive terminal on the candle. Electrical tape is applied to each connection to prevent the circuit from shorting out on the heat sink. A tissue is placed into the candle's light sensor hole, tricking the candle into thinking it is always night time, and thus, turning on. The candle is lit and placed below the "hot" heat sink, and within a few minutes, the electric candle should light up. An extra candle can be added to speed up this process.
Another method is to use a Stirling engine, which NASA has used with radioactive material on one side for heat and the other side cooled by the surrounding temperature. This is essentially a type of heat pump, where a motor spins the Stirling engine to control the direction of heat transfer.
Overall, the process of converting heat to electricity involves capturing the heat from a candle or other heat source and using a thermoelectric generator or heat engine to convert that heat into electricity, which can then be used to power devices such as LEDs.
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Using a Stirling engine
Stirling engines are thermal solar power reciprocating piston engines that use solar radiation to produce heat instead of traditional fossil fuels. They are ideally suited for solar thermal power since the Stirling motor must be part of the collector assembly. The power output of a Stirling engine tends to be constant, and adjusting it requires careful design and additional mechanisms.
The Stirling engine contains a fixed quantity of working fluid, which is air in this case. By pushing the fluid between two chambers of different temperatures, the fluid can be expanded and contracted thermally. The mechanical linkages are arranged to extract mechanical work from this thermal expansion and contraction. The engine on display is actually two separate engines that are 180 degrees out of phase. This balances vibration when the engine is running. Heat is transferred from the heat pipes (copper tubes) through heat exchangers to the working fluid within the body.
The original intent was to capture work from the engine using a small electric generator and use the power to run a small electric candle. However, the user could not get that working and decided to run the generator as a motor to provide motion. The motor is salvaged from a PC case fan, as those were the motors with specs best matched to the engine targets.
The efficiency of a Stirling engine is in the single digits, so it could power an LED. The smaller the engine, the less efficient it will be. Stirling engines can scale up to real tasks, including automotive engines, but they usually require fairly expensive designs.
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Powering an LED
Using two candles, it is possible to power an LED that is brighter than the candles themselves. This can be achieved through a thermoelectric generator, which captures the heat from the candles and turns it into electricity.
One way to do this is by using a Peltier thermoelectric generator, which uses a temperature differential to generate a small current. One side of the Peltier is heated by a candle, while the other side is cooled by a heat sink. The voltage from the Peltier's contacts can then be boosted using a joule thief to power an LED.
Another method is to create a thermopile, which is a collection of thermoelectric junction circuits between metal conductors, arranged in series to increase the voltage. This setup uses chromel and alumel wires from a K-type thermocouple to create six sets of junctions. The heat from the candles generates electricity, which can then be used to power an LED.
It is also possible to create a smart electronic candle by using an LDR (Light Dependent Resistor) circuit. This circuit uses an LM358 IC as a comparator, which can bear a voltage between 3.3V to 32V and has a low supply current drain of 500µA. The LED is connected to a 1K resistor and the circuit is then powered by a 12V female DC power jack.
Overall, while it is possible to power an LED using two candles, it is important to note that candles are not very efficient sources of light and there may be more effective methods for generating electricity.
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Using tea lights
Thermoelectric generators can convert heat energy from tea light candles into usable electric energy. This can be used to power a few lights or equipment like a radio.
To generate electricity from tea light candles, you can follow these steps:
Firstly, you will need a thermoelectric generator, such as the ThermaWatt™ Candle Powered TEG Generator, or a peltier element. These devices can convert the heat from the tea light candles into electricity. You will also need a heat sink, which is a device that absorbs and dissipates heat. The heat sink should be placed above the candles, with enough clearance for the flame.
Next, light the tea light candles and place them under the heat sink. The heat from the candles will warm up the heat sink, and this thermal energy will be converted into electricity by the thermoelectric generator.
You can then use the electricity generated to power devices. For example, you can attach alligator clip wires to the clips on a light bulb holder and power a light bulb. Alternatively, you can use the electricity to power an LED, which will provide brighter light than the candles themselves.
It is important to note that this setup should not be left unattended, and a fire extinguisher should always be kept nearby. Additionally, electrical tape should be applied to connections to prevent the circuit from shorting out on the heat sink.
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Frequently asked questions
You can generate electricity from two candles using a thermoelectric generator. This generator captures the heat from the candles and converts it into electricity.
You will need two candles, a Peltier heat sink assembly, an electric candle, aluminium rods, shaft collars, electrical tape, tissue, and a fire extinguisher.
First, insert the aluminium rods through the heat sink assembly, with the "cool" heat sink facing up. Adjust the shaft collars until the bottom "hot" heat sink is elevated enough to place a candle underneath. Connect the red wire from the Peltier junction to the positive terminal on the candle. Apply electrical tape to each connection to prevent the circuit from shorting out. Place a small piece of tissue into the candle's light sensor hole, tricking the candle into thinking it is always nighttime. Light your candle and place it under the "hot" heat sink. The electric candle should light up in a few minutes.
Candles are a low-cost, long-term, and portable method to generate electricity. They are also easily accessible, as you can purchase tea light candles in bulk from stores like Ikea.
