Ben Carter
Candles have been a source of light and comfort for thousands of years. But can they be used to generate electricity? The simple answer is yes. By using a generator that converts heat to electricity, such as a Peltier module or a thermoelectric lamp, it is possible to produce a small electric current from the heat of a candle. This process involves a temperature differential, with one side of the module heated by the candle and the other side cooled by a heat sink. While it may not be the most efficient method of generating electricity, it is certainly an interesting and innovative use of a candle's power.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mechanism | A generator that converts heat to electricity, such as a Peltier plate or Reukpower's thermoelectric lamp |
| Heat Source | Candle |
| Voltage | Small voltage from Peltier contacts, boosted with a joule thief |
| Power Output | Enough to power an LED |
| Alternative Uses | Recharge a cell phone or other consumer device with a buck converter |
| Heat Output | Approximately 80-100 BTUs per hour |
| Wick Type | Thicker wicks produce larger and hotter flames, while thinner wicks generate smaller and cooler flames |
| Wick Material | Cotton wicks are most common, wooden wicks burn slightly hotter |
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What You'll Learn
Using a Peltier plate
Peltier plates, also known as Peltier-Seebeck devices, are a great way to generate electricity from a candle. This method uses the Peltier, or Seebeck, effect to convert heat into electrical energy.
The Peltier plate is placed horizontally over a tin can "furnace", with the candle or alcohol burner placed underneath to heat the underside. The topside of the Peltier plate is then cooled using a heat sink and fan. This temperature differential creates a small current. The heat sink can be made from a metal plate, and the fan can be a low-voltage, low-dB model.
The voltage output from the Peltier plate is unregulated and will vary depending on the flame and fuel level. It will be a tiny voltage, a small fraction of a volt per degree Kelvin in difference between the two junctions. This can be boosted using a joule thief or a voltage regulator, such as an LM317, to power devices that require a higher voltage.
The Amazing Seebeck Generator is one example of a Peltier plate generator. It can be made in under an hour using mostly scrap or recycled parts. It can generate about 5 volts at 1 amp, which is enough to power radios, mobile phones, and LED lights.
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Heat conversion
The candle's flame heats the surrounding air, causing it to rise and creating a convection current. This convection current, driven by the Earth's gravity, gives the flame its characteristic teardrop shape. The heat generated by the candle is a result of the combustion of hydrocarbons in the wax, which releases heat, light, water vapour, and carbon dioxide. The amount of heat radiated from the flame depends on the size, shape, and material composition of the wick, with thicker wicks tending to produce larger and hotter flames.
To convert this heat into electricity, a generator or a Peltier plate can be utilised. A generator, such as the Sterling engine, can be used to convert the heat from the candle into electrical energy. The Peltier plate, on the other hand, operates based on the temperature differential between its two sides. One side of the Peltier plate is heated by the candle, while the other side is cooled by a heat sink. This temperature difference creates a small current, which can then be boosted using a joule thief or a boost circuit to power LEDs or charge batteries.
It is important to note that the efficiency of heat conversion from a candle can vary, and the amount of electricity generated may not be sufficient for practical applications. Additionally, safety considerations, such as the risk of burns and fires, must always be taken into account when working with candles and heat conversion systems.
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Thermoelectric lamps
The core component of a thermoelectric lamp is a Peltier plate, also known as a Peltier cooler. This plate has two sides, one that is heated by the candle flame and the other that is cooled, typically by a heat sink. When there is a temperature difference between the two sides, a small electric current is produced due to the Seebeck Effect. This effect is fundamental to the functioning of thermoelectric generators, allowing them to convert heat into electricity.
The voltage generated by the Peltier plate is usually quite low, so to power LEDs, this voltage is boosted using a circuit known as a joule thief. This circuit scavenged from an emergency phone charger, can efficiently increase the voltage to the level required by the LEDs. The result is a lamp that can provide bright illumination without the need for batteries or an electric current.
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Joule thief
A Joule thief is a minimalist self-oscillating voltage booster that boosts a low DC voltage to a higher voltage. It is small, low-cost, and easy to build, typically used for driving small loads, such as powering an LED using a low-voltage battery. The circuit is a variant of the blocking oscillator that forms an unregulated voltage boost converter.
The Joule thief can use nearly all of the energy in a single-cell electric battery, even when the voltage is so low that other circuits consider the battery fully discharged. This is why it is called a "Joule thief", as it is almost like stealing energy from a dead battery. Some people also call it a zombie circuit for this same reason.
The idea behind the Joule thief is not a new concept. It adds an LED to the output of a self-oscillating voltage booster, which was patented many decades ago. US Patent 1949383, filed in 1930, describes a vacuum tube-based oscillator circuit to convert a low voltage into a high voltage. US Patent 4734658, filed in 1987, describes a very low voltage-driven oscillator circuit capable of operating from as little as 0.1 volts, which is lower than the voltage required by a Joule thief.
To make a Joule thief, you will need the following:
- Helping hands (optional)
- Soldering iron
- Solder
- A blue or white LED (other colours are fine, too)
- 2N3904 transistor or equivalent
- 1k resistor (brown-black-red)
- Toroid bead
- Thin wire, two colours (magnet wire works)
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Powering consumer devices
The heat generated by a candle can be converted into electricity to power consumer devices. One way to achieve this is by using a thermoelectric lamp, which is a generator that converts heat to electricity. The system uses a Peltier cooler, similar to a thermoelectric solar generator. When there is a temperature differential from one side of the Peltier to the other, a small current is generated. In this setup, a candle heats one side of the Peltier plate, and a heat sink or cold outdoor air cools the other. The voltage from the Peltier's contacts can then be boosted using a joule thief circuit scavenged from an emergency phone charger to achieve higher efficiency. This setup has been used to power LEDs, which have low power consumption.
Another method to generate electricity from a candle is by using a Sterling engine in reverse. This setup can be used to recharge a cell phone or other consumer devices.
Candles have been used for various applications beyond lighting, such as providing warmth and heating food. For example, fondue sets use tea light candles to keep the cheese or chocolate warm and melted. Camping gear may also include candle lanterns that provide light and warmth. In survival situations, a candle can be a valuable source of heat for warming food or melting snow for drinking water, although caution must be exercised due to the risk of burns and fires.
The amount of heat generated by a candle depends on various factors such as the type and purity of the wax, the size and material of the wick, and the environment. Different types of wax can burn at different temperatures, and impurities in the wax can lead to a cooler burn. Thicker wicks tend to produce larger and hotter flames, while thinner wicks generate smaller and cooler flames. Wooden wicks, due to their wider structure, can create slightly higher temperatures compared to cotton wicks, which are the most common type.
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Frequently asked questions
A candle can be used to generate electricity by using a generator that converts heat to electricity, such as Reukpower's thermoelectric lamp. The system uses a Peltier cool, which creates a small current when there is a temperature differential from one side to the other. One side is heated by the candle, and the other is cooled by a heat sink.
The amount of electricity produced by a candle depends on various factors, such as the type of wax, the size and material of the wick, and the environment. The electricity generated by a candle is typically low, and most of the energy is transferred as heat rather than light.
A candle can be used to power small devices such as LEDs, cell phones, or other consumer electronics. The electricity generated by a candle can also be stored in batteries to power devices such as flashlights or GPS systems.
The temperature of a candle flame varies depending on which part of the flame is being measured. The hottest part of the flame, the blue area at the base, typically reaches temperatures between 1400°C and 1800°C. The yellow part of the flame is cooler, around 600°C, and the outermost part, the luminous mantle, is the coolest, ranging from 400°C to 550°C.
