PROJECTS: SEEBECK GENERATOR
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4. PUT IT ALL TOGETHER
4a. Bolt the springs to the top of the
can by running each bolt through a
spring end, a nut, the can, and the
other nut inside the can, in that order.
Fixing the depth of the bolt with an
extra nut is neater than having a single
nut on the inside of the can. Then,
attach the heat sink to the 5V fan.
I used thin copper wire, but you
can also use glue or screws.
4b. Place the gasket on the top of the
can, and place the Peltier cell in the
gap. To improve efficiency, add a thin
layer of thermal transfer grease (also
called heat sink compound) to both
sides of the cell.
4c. Secure the heat sink on top of the
Peltier cell by hooking the tops of the
springs to the heat sink’s tension bar. If
it doesn’t have one, drill holes on each
side to thread the springs through.
Position the can lid on the brackets
inside. If the can is small, fix it to a
sturdy base using silicone glue. Then
make a candleholder that will fit inside
the can. I used an anchovy tin with
stiff wire poked through as a handle.
4d. Twist or solder together the red (+) and black (–) leads from the fan
and Peltier cell, red to red and black to black, and also connect an alligator
lead to each, for connecting the generator to other things.
Decorate as desired (I added a fancy door from a model steam engine to
the candleholder), and you’re done!
FINISH X
NOW GO USE IT »
128 Make: Volume 15
