Waste heat as electric power....

[MikeRuth]

This is an interesting article of things to come. 
Using the heat from the exhaust system, converting it to electricity. 

http://articles.sae.org/14251/

 

[SoulRaven]

I'm a little skeptical of that one... On a properly running rig, the amp draw is usually very minimal to start with. Now if they could power a reefer with it...

 

[highdesertranger]

this has been around for awhile. they have small stoves out now that will charge your cell phone. I have a fan that you set on your wood stove and the bottom gets hot and it spins the fan, works good. highdesertranger

 

[highdesertranger]

well guy here's how it works. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoelectric_effect . I have a fan like this http://www.woodlanddirect.com/Wood-...cofan-AirMax-Heat-powered-Wood-Stove-Fan-Gold . little bugger was expensive but works really well. I was skeptical at first but I am now a believer. now I heard the power from devices like this is rather limited, but it does work on a small scale. highdesertranger

 

[SoulRaven]

this has been around for awhile.  they have small stoves out now that will charge your cell phone.   I have a fan that you set on your wood stove and the bottom gets hot and it spins the fan,  works good.  highdesertranger

I used to have a couple of heat operated fans many years ago, one was a stovetop one like you mentioned, then I had one that was slightly different, not solar electric powered, but if you sat it in the sun it would run.  Had a lightbulb type deal with a whirlygig in it that would run in the sun too.   Now I'm curious as to whether I still have any of those.  Gadgets has been a long time psuedo hobby of mine.

 

[MikeRuth]

I'm a little skeptical of that one...  On a properly running rig, the amp draw is usually very minimal to start with.  Now if they could power a reefer with it...

Just an FYI my properly running rig (Ford 2007 E-150) typically puts out no less than about 15 amps while running and of course higher as lights, A/C, blower on high etc, can crank that up to 40 amps easy. 

I'd guess that a class 8 rig with trailer and lights etc is pulling down a lot more. And they are saying that this might possibly replace the alternator or reduce it's load greatly. That's a lot of juice being created from waste heat. I can't see it replacing an alternator though as on a cold morning it's going to take a bit of time to get that heat level up, therefore using the alternator until it does come up. 

I actually think there on to something very worthy here.  Who knows about cost at this point. 
If cost effective and of course proven I'd love to add that to my Van.