Has anyone done a disassembly of a Thermoelectric Lamp - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: jonovid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2022, 06:32:09 pm
content: this 1950s Russian thermoelectric lamp thermo generator could power an inefficient vacuum tube radio.anyone done a disassembly of one, to see what metals are used and how the thermoelectric pile is assembled.no semiconductors used here. design generates at least two voltages: 90V and 1,2Vfrom a oil lamp or candlehttps://classicpressurelamps.com/threads/russian-thermogenerator-lamp.9382/andhttps://swling.com/blog/2020/05/soviet-era-kerosene-lamp-generator-gives-new-meaning-to-lets-fire-up-the-radio/what is missing, information on what metals are used and how the thermoelectric chimney pile is assembled.added some more information on the design but this is all I can find.

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2022, 08:04:39 pm
content: Seems to use the Seebeck effect,Lots of materials to choose from:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoelectric_materials

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2022, 08:15:24 pm
content: Depending upon why you need this construction information, it might be worth looking at the construction of the RTG units that Russia used for powering remote installations, such as lighthouses or satellites. The construction and technologies of RTG’s are well documented and the power generation arrays would be similar to a unit that uses a different thermal source. Obviously you would not be using the radioactive thermal source in a domestic design !https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radioisotope_thermoelectric_generatorhttps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoelectric_generatorCommon peltier modules may be used as thermoelectric generators and there are some modern units intended to camping that use this technology where one face is heated by a cam fire or the sun and the other has a large heatsink to create a temperature differential across the Peltier module.https://www.amazon.co.uk/BioLite-Campstove-gadget-charging-Stove/dp/B00FU8RBPE/ref=asc_df_B00FU8RBPE/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=527003803333&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13016739090358025787&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046142&hvtargid=pla-1227947981673&psc=1&th=1&psc=1Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2022, 08:28:01 pm
content: You might find this article interesting as it even features a gas powered radio !https://thermoelectricsolutions.com/how-thermoelectric-generators-work/This DIY thermoelectric generator may also be of interest….https://youtu.be/bbK0nCaZsAAFraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2022, 08:49:01 pm
content: Another interesting page…https://www.resilience.org/stories/2020-06-09/thermoelectric-stoves-ditch-the-solar-panels/

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2022, 09:00:01 pm
content: A chap made a copy of this TEG and posted a video on YouTube.You could try contacting him for details of the design.https://youtu.be/j9jXt4M_ZmUFraser

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2022, 09:15:21 pm
content: I don't have a website citation, but I remember from my youth (around 1960) that Popular Science magazine had a short article about a missionary who built small radios for his flock that were powered from a thermopile heated by a hookah, which was a popular device in his parish. I remember a large number of junctions in series spaced around the bowl.

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2022, 09:48:16 pm
content: Has a few specs enumerated by vintage magazines:https://swling.com/blog/2020/05/soviet-era-kerosene-lamp-generator-gives-new-meaning-to-lets-fire-up-the-radio/Without needing oil or a source of heat, there are some portable generators powered by hanging weights.For AM radio only, main broadcasts can be received without any power. For radio with speaker but no batteries, I remember a model powered by a mechanical spring armed with a turning key, like the ones used in mechanical clocks, and a small gearbox with a DC generator, all inside the radio.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2022, 09:58:33 pm
content: A forum page that provides some interesting original documentation is to be found here…..https://classicpressurelamps.com/threads/russian-thermogenerator-lamp.9382/I note from one post that the unit uses a fair bit of Asbestos in its build so care in cleaning is recommended.One picture in the manual shows additional items that may be purchased, including the valve radio Anode (HV) thermopile, Bias thermopile and Heater thermopile. The thermopiles are mounted between the hot centre tube and the heatsink fins. The HV thermopile will be relatively low current with lots of thermopile junctions in series to create the HV voltage whereas the heater thermopile will use fewer junctions in series for a low voltage but many in parallel to meet the current requirements.Fraser

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2022, 10:16:20 pm
content: Here's how to build one:

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2022, 10:22:09 pm
content: From this paragraph I understand that the Russian kerosene generator has semiconductors:QuoteSource:https://brighterworld.mcmaster.ca/articles/analysis-a-new-approach-finds-materials-that-can-turn-waste-heat-into-electricity/Anyway, beware that the original vintage ones have asbestos, too.Similar attempts to reproduce the lamp, with original plans and inside view:https://classicpressurelamps.com/threads/russian-thermogenerator-lamp.9382/More plans, infohttp://www.douglas-self.com/MUSEUM/POWER/thermoelectric/thermoelectric.htmThis one shows ZnSb/constantan as thermo-elements:https://www.kelk.co.jp/english/useful/netsuden3.htmlAnd a fun to build DIY candle powered radio:https://web.archive.org/web/20001021070940/http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~weinfurt/thermoradio.htm

author: fredribt@ussicorp.com
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 07, 2024, 11:19:07 am
content: It’s been a while since you posted, so not sure if you still need info. But, yes, I just recently completed a full disassembly and currently working on restoration. Filament voltage tested at just under 1 volt after bypassing two on the 54 thermocouples. This was with a temporary wick so not full flame. Uses zinc antimony/constantan for the thermopiles. Look lo Voltages are 1.2, 9v, and 90v. Tge 90v is going to be a challenge. Lots of opens on the thermopile. Let me know how you made out on yours.