free energy machine

[Amanda_931]

A few years ago there was a company trying to get on the market with a solar powered Stirling enging generator.  I think a couple of people on another list piped up and said--"I'll beta test it!!!!"  but then the company decided that SOS solar (PV, maybe not even moderately exotic like triple junction cells) on large industrial roofs with a huge rebate/subsidy from the government was going to work better.

[glenn kangiser]

I guess PV and wind are pretty easy but I like to see odd little machines running.  A stirling on my stove kicking out a few watts of power with a little generator whenever the fire is going in the winter could help to keep the batteries up on a dreary blustery day.

[Texan lost in cali]

If you want wierd stuff look into thermo electric generators (giant transistors) there is plenty on the web. I have seen one work off of a sterno can for the heat side and power up about 1KW worth of lights and power tools, but noone seems to be able to produce a saleable product.

[jonsey/downunder]

Here is a link to a Kiwi company that uses the Stirling engine to supplement domestic electricity supply.
http://www.whispergen.com/index.cfm

[glenn kangiser]

Neat concept and design - really interesting system, but a $12500.00 US I may have to wait a while.  Still interesting seeing how the technology works.  Thanks, Jonesy.

It does let me know that it can be done and gives me lots of dangerous ideas.--if I live long enough to act on them.

[Amanda_931]

Cute link to the thermoelectric stuff.  Lots of old pictures.

http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/POWER/thermoelectric/thermoelectric.htm

If 12 K gave me enough power for all my electricity, and I was reasonably sure I'd never have to put much more into the system, I'd find it pretty attractive.

The old Sunflower system--solar powered stirling engine generator was pretty interesting.

Here it is:

http://www.energyinnovations.com/sunflower.html

[Amanda_931]

A modern company doing thermoelectric stuff.

They think that geothermal would be good for the heat source, might someday even be cost effective.  Not last week, though. Probably not next week either.  But they've got a lot of geothermal stuff to play with because it's an Icelandic company.

http://www.varmaraf.is/engl/faqgen.htm

[glenn kangiser]

Interesting links, Amanda.  Thanks.

Maybe after my RV garage is done I can go down underground and play with some of this stuff.  I have a feeling that the bottom floor of the garage is going to be a nice place to work in during the summer if I insulate it well to keep it cool.

[Texan lost in cali]

I remember one of my old neighbors was a heating and air contractor, he chained together a bunch of used thermocouplers and installed them on a tin roof to make free electricity.

[bil2054]

That device is one of the older bull mooses on the perpetual motion machine circuit.  I recall this discussion back in high school physics, and the answer ran pretty much along the lines of Jimmy's explanation, (did we go to different schools together?)
All the flapping about "permanent magnets" is a red herring; there is nothing new or unusual about permanent magnet electric motors or generators.
It reminds me of the old "300 mpg carburetor" chestnut,  I have run into at least a dozen people in my life who "personally knew somebody who bought a car at a dealership..", and you all know the rest of the story.
TINSTAAFL indeed, daddymem!  
The other stuff, Stirling engines, etc., are real, and very cool!