Candle powered heat gets an Indiegogo campaign!

[morongobill]

Just hit my mailbox. Interesting take on an old concept. Worth a look.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/egloo-candle-powered-heater

 

[anewbiewannabe]

A blogger tested this out and did the math---I think it might have been one of the guys on here. I don't have the link since it didn't sound worth it. Seems like the numbers aren't worth it for the heat/cost and these candle powered heaters made fancy for marketing are just a way to separate someone from her money.

 

[Matt71]

The only useful numbers I see on that page are a 2 to 3 degree increase in temperature after 30 minutes? Really? How is that even remotely useful?

 

[One Awesome Inch]

I've done the research into this. As long as your expectations are relatively low it might work okay. For example, if its 5 C outside and you want it 20 C inside you need 1000BTU to heat a 60 square foot room... like a cargo van. Its going to take about an hour to get the van to 20 C. If you had a Mr. Heater you could get it toasty hot in 5 to 10 minutes, then shut it off and let the candles take it from there. Also, forget about 5 candles. You'd need 16 or more... the more candles the more heat. Also, since candles are a petroleum product I wouldn't want to breathe them in on a regular basis. I'd go for veggie oil candles. Olive oil burns extremely clean. But then you'd have to figure out how not to spill the oil when driving, as well as the safety issue of an open flame.

That said, it is a concept I'd like to check into further and may do so in the future. I think it might be useful to take the chill out of the air on a spring or autumn morning. I would not depend on it for winter use. Again, no way is 5 candles going to cut it. One other thing... your van needs to be very well insulated.

 

[cdiggy]

I think the concept is to separate the money from the consumer...

 

[anewbiewannabe]

...As long as your expectations are relatively low it might work okay... Also, since candles are a petroleum product I wouldn't want to breathe them in on a regular basis. I'd go for veggie oil candles. Olive oil burns extremely clean. But then you'd have to figure out how not to spill the oil when driving, as well as the safety issue of an open flame.

That said, it is a concept I'd like to check into further and may do so in the future. I think it might be useful to take the chill out of the air on a spring or autumn morning. I would not depend on it for winter use. Again, no way is 5 candles going to cut it. One other thing... your van needs to be very well insulated.

One, yeah, low expectations. When it's cold we need better than that for the price. I agree about the petroleum-based candles. I've got old glass lanterns that have added extra heat as well as providing light when the power went out before. I've definitely been looking around for economical safe ideas this winter even just for the house.

Just in case there's someone who hasn't thought about it, but I doubt there is---don't drive with any of these burning heat sources going!!!!!

Since I'm planning on being mobile I've been looking at heat sources with that in mind too. Olive oil does burn pretty clean and could be used in the old-fashioned oil lamps---then make sure the lamps are secured before takeoff---also keep em secured if you have a 4legged travel companion like I will. Would take testing to know how long the lamp would burn with it only half-full, but is should burn a long time depending on the reservoir. The wick is really what makes a difference. With the wick properly adjusted these lamps don't smoke even with lamp oil in them. I've been using my lamps for the few times a year I need them for years without ever putting more lamp oil in so I guess I just answered myself for how long it can last. The wicks get used up quicker. I did notice in one of the stores that wicks for lamps are still available.

I've got a couple ideas in mind extrapolating from the candle power type ideas and also some other things I'm aware of, but I haven't had the time to test them out yet. There are 3 main things I'm looking for with it---fire safety (including air quality), economy, and finding the most stable fuel to carry. The one idea I want to try first would also provide a heat source for cooking---I'm trying to find a way to not have to deal with propane cylinders. It was cheaper for me to just use electric space heaters in my s&b this winter since I'm on PIP. During the coldest spells nothing affordable would have kept the house very warm.

Would be interesting to have a thread to share our ideas once we start the experiments.

 

[LeeRevell]

An oil lamp using veggie oil (possibly used cooking oil?) with multiple floating wicks might be useful. Obviously NOT while driving! If the flames directly heat a steel plate, it might be more efficient in transmitting/emitting heat?

 

[surfer]

This thread reminded me of a video on Cost per Therm: comparing candles to many other heat sources.

 

[MikeRuth]

Cdiggy is right, Matt the only number on that page that means anything is the close to 200G's they raked in .

Some one diffidently laughed all the way to the bank!

 

[HarmonicaBruce]

Here is a 'cool' video on a stone age version. 10 minutes long. Please pass the blubber.

Yes but did you notice how they didn't show how they got the first flame?  I'm guessing a Bic lighter.  Survivor man Les Stroud would have rubbed 2 sticks together for about 45 minutes, all the while making a video of himself.  The eskimos are pretty amazing.  Too bad they have such a drinking problem. 

 

[mconlonx]

FWIW, an ex-no.1-cousin in law is an independent insurance adjuster. He's the guy you call when your own insurance company is screwing you over. His one household rule is no candles. Responsible for way too many complete write-off home losses. I will never be using candles for heat in the van...

 

[surfer]

gsfish
..... along with other former nomadic races, the victims of "modernization" and attempts at assimilation.

Sadly it's still going on. And not to just "modernize" them. Here are some headlines:

Under threat from Canadian oil company
‘Human safaris’ to the Jarawa
A massive hydroelectric dam threatens the tribes of the Lower Omo River
At risk of extinction from disease and land loss
Tribal families evicted for “tiger conservation”
‘We didn’t know what a cold was then.’
Lands stolen, communities devastated. 
A Jarawa man denounces the poachers who invade their land
Logging and oil palm destroying tribe’s forest home
Private farms and hunting estates displace tribe
The last six survivors of a genocide, dance

 

[surfer]

gsfish
Thanks for teaching me about the kudlik!

 

[ccbreder]

Wow. how much of this horse is left to beat? Candles are not the best idea for heating. Candles are for romance.

 

[cdiggy]

Wow. how much of this horse is left to beat? Candles are not the best idea for heating. Candles are for romance.

Haha! We can beat a dead horse like no others

 

[Iggy]

I discovered one great type of candle to use, at a store that sells stuff for massages. This candle is aromatic and as it melts the masseuse pours it on you and uses it as massage oil. Can't remember the brand but an ex-girlfriend used it on me a few times. Very romantic in the van. Heats you up a different way.

 

[cdiggy]

I discovered one great type of candle to use, at a store that sells stuff for massages. This candle is aromatic and as it melts the masseuse pours it on you and uses it as massage oil. Can't remember the brand but an ex-girlfriend used it on me a few times. Very romantic in the van. Heats you up a different way.

Hot wax???!!!???

 

[jimindenver]

oh my

 

[sisterearth]

This gave me a morning giggle! Happy Day everyone!

 

[Donedirtcheap]

"There's a sucker born every minute"