Summary of Smartphone Charger Powered by Fire
This project creates a portable thermoelectric charger for hiking electronics, addressing unreliable solar power and heavy batteries in Sweden. By utilizing the Seebeck effect, the device converts heat from a fire or stove into electricity using a Peltier element (TEG). The author built this custom solution because existing market options were either too expensive, too large, or inefficient for their specific needs during multi-day wilderness trips.
Parts used in the Thermoelectric Fire Charger:
- Thermoelectric module (Peltier element/TEC/TEG)
- Smartphone
- Spare batteries
- Solar chargers
- Alcohol burner
- Gas burner
- Fire steel
The reason for this project was to solve a problem I have. I sometimes do several days of hiking/backpacking in the wild and I always bring a smartphone with GPS and maybe other electronics. They need electricity and I have used spare batteries and solar chargers to keep them running. The sun in Sweden is not very reliable. When you need it as most it´s either raining or other circumstances that makes it impossible to charge with solar panels. Even when it´s clear weather it simply take too long to charge. Batteries are good but heavy. I have looked for alternatives but they are either very expensive or too large.
One thing that I always bring with me though on a hiking is fire in some form, usually an alcohol or gas burner. If not that, then at least a fire steel to make my own fire. With that in mind, I got stuck by the idea of producing electricity from heat. I know, the efficiency is very poor but it is at least possible! So, with inspiration from my previous project (Thermoelectric-Fan-Driven-by-a-Candle) I decided to build my own thermoelectric charger. There are similar projects available but not that fulfill my requirements (what I could find).
Concept:
I´m using a thermoelectic module, also called peltier element, TEC or TEG. You have one hot side and one cold. The temperature difference in the module will start producing electricity. The physical concept when you use it as a generator it’s called the Seebeck effect. Thermoelectic modules are mainly used for the opposite effect, the Peltier effect. Then you apply a electric load and it will force a heat transfer from one side to the other. Often used in smaller refrigerators and coolers. Read more about i here:Background:
Foe more detail: Smartphone Charger Powered by Fire
- Why was this project created?
To solve the problem of unreliable solar charging and heavy batteries while hiking in Sweden. - What physical principle generates the electricity?
The Seebeck effect is used when the temperature difference between the hot and cold sides of the module produces power. - What alternative power sources did the author previously use?
The author previously relied on spare batteries and solar chargers. - What inspired the design of this charger?
The design was inspired by a previous project involving a thermoelectric fan driven by a candle. - How does the device utilize heat?
It uses heat from a fire or stove on one side of the module while keeping the other side cool to create a temperature difference. - Why are standard thermoelectric modules often used differently?
They are often used for the Peltier effect to move heat for cooling, such as in small refrigerators. - What limitation exists with the efficiency of this method?
The efficiency of producing electricity from heat using this method is very poor. - What types of fires can power this device?
The device can be powered by an alcohol burner, gas burner, or a fire made with a fire steel.
