Soviet Era Kerosene Powered Radio

Justin Patrick Moore's picture

I thought this was some interesting Green Wizard tech...

https://swling.com/blog/2020/05/soviet-era-kerosene-lamp-generator-gives...

"I was not aware of this Cold War era kerosene lamp generator, but it’s an ingenious use of the thermoelectric effect for power generation. I found yet another another clipping online...

Devices that work off of thermoelectric effect have been around many decades.

The original BioLite stove burns twigs/sticks to recharge USB devices with 3 watts of power.

I’ve often thought about purchasing a BioLite camp stove–the same one Anil Raj mentioned in our Radio Challenge II–as a companion to charge devices while camping off-grid.

BioLite now makes a more efficient (albeit pricier) stove that produces more power with less fuel.

At the end of the day, I find it so easy to use solar power to recharge larger LiFePo batteries, I’ve never invested in the BioLite.

With one large LiFePo battery, I’m able to power multiple devices including an inverter if necessary.

I’m very curious how many models of kerosene lamp generators were made back in the day and how useful they were for powering other low-drain devices."

Please comment if you’ve ever used a kerosene generator. We have readers from across the globe, so I imagine someone may have at least seen one of these in person and potentially used it to power a radio!

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mountainmoma's picture

I bought one of thes when they first came out, not as pricey then, I gave it as a gift to a backpacking family member. The excess power generation is realy just a bonus, it needs the thermoelectric effect to run the fan, and it needs the fan to run as a stove. It is a rocket stove, which normally has a lower opening to let in air as they run real hot and fast with alot of air. The biolite is entirely closed in, which makes it safe for backpaking where we aren't allowed open flames, so they are legal to use. But, that means to get the air it needs its fan.

mountainmoma's picture

Love the thermoelectric effect radio !

Very cool.

Look at ammonia cycle refrigerators, which run off of a heat source. Usually right now that is propane, but I have heard that some early ones could run off an intermittent heat source, so heat applied once a day to an area, external heat source, like a strong candle or kerosene lamp. The heat eveaporates the ammonia and it then is ready to start its cycle again. Current regrig's use compressors, those need power