Hey, cool, another Honda Insight owner thinking about thermoelectric waste heat recovery. I hope that's a first-gen Honda Insight. Lean burn's higher EGT's and the smaller scale of everything on the Insight make it a good platform for thermoelectrics. However, displacing usage of the Insight's ~85% efficient "alternator" saves less gas than on a car with a 50% efficient charging system.
But yes, thermoelectrics should save fuel, albiet not much.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by BSST
In 2004 (Phase 1), the team created a system architecture and established subsystem designs that were modeled in a bumper-to-bumper performance simulation that showed up to 12% fuel economy improvement.
|
Key words there are "simulation" and "up to" 12% improvement.
Technical Papers - BSST Thermoelectric Temperature Control Solutions
But it would be immensely expensive for a small trickle of electricity. If you have a few grand kicking around and you want to buy a couple MPG, this could be a mod worth developing.
Actually, I have no idea how much the TE modules cost, but you (or I) could write to Dr. Bell and find out.
Welcome to the forum, and please tell us about your car.