by matt walker » Sat Feb 22, 2014 3:57 pm
My playing around with them leads me to believe that it's right about 250°-300°F that they work best. Keep in mind, we are saying TEG but really these are TECs, and as such are cheap and not optimized for this use. But cheap! I'm saying that because I think the limited useable range is a function of them being coolers rather than generators. Maybe. Anyway, I set it on a heat sink on a surface that's around 450°, that seems to do, until I really crank up the stove. Then I have to move it or lose it. Yep, if you can engineer constant heat and keep the cool side bleeding the heat fast enough, you will have constant power. I have been able to stabilize mine so I have light the whole time the stove is burning.