Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > EcoModding Central
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 07-18-2017, 08:16 PM   #1 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Memphis, Tn
Posts: 463
Thanks: 320
Thanked 107 Times in 81 Posts
Can I replace an alternator with peltiers?

I came up with the idea of using peltiers on the engine to create electricity to run, or at least help run the electrical system. Would that work? If I could turn waste heat into a little bit of useful energy that would be great. I am sure there is a reason this would not work, but oh well. What do you think?

  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 07-18-2017, 08:19 PM   #2 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
oldtamiyaphile's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,510

UFI - '12 Fiat 500 Twinair
Team Turbocharged!
90 day: 40.3 mpg (US)

Jeep - '05 Jeep Wrangler Renegade
90 day: 18.09 mpg (US)

R32 - '89 Nissan Skyline

STiG - '16 Renault Trafic 140dCi Energy
90 day: 30.12 mpg (US)

Prius - '05 Toyota Prius
Team Toyota
90 day: 50.25 mpg (US)

Premodded - '49 Ford Freighter
90 day: 13.48 mpg (US)

F-117 - '10 Proton Arena GLSi
Pickups
Mitsubishi
90 day: 37.82 mpg (US)

Ralica - '85 Toyota Celica ST
90 day: 25.23 mpg (US)

Sx4 - '07 Suzuki Sx4
90 day: 32.21 mpg (US)

F-117 (2) - '03 Citroen Xsara VTS
90 day: 30.06 mpg (US)
Thanks: 325
Thanked 452 Times in 319 Posts
Only if they weigh as much as the rest of the car. You might be able to run the clock off them.
__________________






  Reply With Quote
Old 07-18-2017, 09:20 PM   #3 (permalink)
Administrator
 
Daox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Germantown, WI
Posts: 11,203

CM400E - '81 Honda CM400E
90 day: 51.49 mpg (US)

Daox's Grey Prius - '04 Toyota Prius
Team Toyota
90 day: 49.53 mpg (US)

Daox's Insight - '00 Honda Insight
90 day: 64.33 mpg (US)

Swarthy - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage DE
Mitsubishi
90 day: 56.69 mpg (US)

Daox's Volt - '13 Chevrolet Volt
Thanks: 2,501
Thanked 2,585 Times in 1,553 Posts
Yes, you can. Its incredibly expensive. I've actually been meaning to make a post on how to do this just so it can be referenced by questions like this in the future. I best get on it!
__________________
Current project: A better alternator delete
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Daox For This Useful Post:
EcoCivic (07-19-2017)
Old 07-18-2017, 11:10 PM   #4 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
teoman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Istanbul
Posts: 1,245

A3 - '12 Audi A3
Thanks: 65
Thanked 225 Times in 186 Posts
I was toying with the idea myself,

Last time i checked it was 1$ per W.

I always thought that using engine coolant (a much more controlled heat source) for the peltier elemts was a good idea.
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to teoman For This Useful Post:
EcoCivic (07-19-2017)
Old 07-19-2017, 12:08 AM   #5 (permalink)
Human Environmentalist
 
redpoint5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 12,393

Acura TSX - '06 Acura TSX
90 day: 24.19 mpg (US)

Lafawnda - '01 Honda CBR600 F4i
90 day: 47.32 mpg (US)

Big Yeller - '98 Dodge Ram 2500 base
90 day: 21.82 mpg (US)

Prius Plug-in - '12 Toyota Prius Plug-in
90 day: 57.64 mpg (US)

Mazda CX-5 - '17 Mazda CX-5 Touring
90 day: 26.68 mpg (US)

Chevy ZR-2 - '03 Chevrolet S10 ZR2
90 day: 17.14 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,189
Thanked 4,378 Times in 3,353 Posts
Peltiers require a temperature differential to generate electricity. This means one side has to absorb the waste engine heat, and the other side has to remove the heat through a heatsink or water cooling (which is then cooled by a heatsink).

I wonder how much surface area you would need, and how much weight it would add, not to mention the cost.
__________________
Gas and Electric Vehicle Cost of Ownership Calculator







Give me absolute safety, or give me death!
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2017, 03:39 AM   #6 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
teoman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Istanbul
Posts: 1,245

A3 - '12 Audi A3
Thanks: 65
Thanked 225 Times in 186 Posts
Some modules i have seeen can get 14W form 6x6cm with a temp diff of 250 degc.

But they cost more than 10$/W.
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2017, 04:10 AM   #7 (permalink)
Human Environmentalist
 
redpoint5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 12,393

Acura TSX - '06 Acura TSX
90 day: 24.19 mpg (US)

Lafawnda - '01 Honda CBR600 F4i
90 day: 47.32 mpg (US)

Big Yeller - '98 Dodge Ram 2500 base
90 day: 21.82 mpg (US)

Prius Plug-in - '12 Toyota Prius Plug-in
90 day: 57.64 mpg (US)

Mazda CX-5 - '17 Mazda CX-5 Touring
90 day: 26.68 mpg (US)

Chevy ZR-2 - '03 Chevrolet S10 ZR2
90 day: 17.14 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,189
Thanked 4,378 Times in 3,353 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by teoman View Post
Some modules i have seeen can get 14W form 6x6cm with a temp diff of 250 degc.

But they cost more than 10$/W.
...and then the small matter of creating a 250 C temp differential. You'd have to get that off the exhaust header since 190 F coolant isn't enough of a temperature difference to maximize the potential.
__________________
Gas and Electric Vehicle Cost of Ownership Calculator







Give me absolute safety, or give me death!
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2017, 04:54 AM   #8 (permalink)
EcoModding Apprentice
 
ar5boosted's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Sydney
Posts: 110
Thanks: 8
Thanked 21 Times in 16 Posts
No.

Alternators are round and Peltiers are square - and sticking square things into round holes isn't really the right thing to do.

[Edit] ok - just joking. Toyota got it to work already sometime back.
__________________
2003 Renault Scenic - 30% more power with no loss in fuel economy.
1991 Toyota GT4 - more economical before ST215W engine-swap.
previous: Water-Injected Mitsubishi ~33% improved.
future - probably a Prius

Last edited by ar5boosted; 07-19-2017 at 07:38 AM..
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to ar5boosted For This Useful Post:
Daschicken (07-19-2017)
Old 07-19-2017, 06:15 AM   #9 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
teoman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Istanbul
Posts: 1,245

A3 - '12 Audi A3
Thanks: 65
Thanked 225 Times in 186 Posts
I think it is doable.

With coolant you can use the cheaper thermoelectric coolers as generators.

Peak power tracking and adjusting the voltage needs a bit of work but it is all doable.
  Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2017, 06:25 AM   #10 (permalink)
Corporate imperialist
 
oil pan 4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NewMexico (USA)
Posts: 11,175

Sub - '84 Chevy Diesel Suburban C10
SUV
90 day: 19.5 mpg (US)

camaro - '85 Chevy Camaro Z28

Riot - '03 Kia Rio POS
Team Hyundai
90 day: 30.21 mpg (US)

Bug - '01 VW Beetle GLSturbo
90 day: 26.43 mpg (US)

Sub2500 - '86 GMC Suburban C2500
90 day: 11.95 mpg (US)

Snow flake - '11 Nissan Leaf SL
SUV
90 day: 141.63 mpg (US)
Thanks: 269
Thanked 3,522 Times in 2,796 Posts
Or idk maybe solar panels and a real MPPT charge controller?

__________________
1984 chevy suburban, custom made 6.5L diesel turbocharged with a Garrett T76 and Holset HE351VE, 22:1 compression 13psi of intercooled boost.
1989 firebird mostly stock. Aside from the 6-speed manual trans, corvette gen 5 front brakes, 1LE drive shaft, 4th Gen disc brake fbody rear end.
2011 leaf SL, white, portable 240v CHAdeMO, trailer hitch, new batt as of 2014.
  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com