Decorative lighting with a power source powered by heating pipes in an apartment

I propose to see one very interesting idea of ​​how to make decorative lighting in the corridor, bathroom or toilet in a city apartment. And whoever has copper heating pipes in a private house - even there. Moreover, a backlight that does not consume electricity from the network.

The source of electricity will be the Peltier element. And since it works in the generation mode only with a temperature difference (on opposite faces), then we will receive the increased temperature from heating pipes or from a heated towel rail (it is hot). The Peltier element:

Size: 40mm x 40mm x 3.6mm. The maximum voltage is 12 V at a maximum current of 6A. Cooling power (Qcmax) - 50-60 W. Who is it convenient to buy on aliexpress - here link(here, by the way, 9 power options). But for us this is not important, any denomination is suitable, since temperature of water and pipes about 60 gr. If someone is higher (in cold weather) - the power of the element will increase and the backlight will work brighter.

Next, you need an aluminum radiator. Whoever is lying around in the household is good. If not in stock, then we buy used ones on the radio market or in a radio store. But it's cheaper here:

Size: 40mmx40mmx20mm - exactly the size of the Peltier element. You can purchase a radiator for two Peltier elements at once. Then make an order here

You will also need any metal plate, or better U-shaped, which will serve as a contact pad for the Peltier element. But more on that below. To make the whole circuit work, you still need a step-up voltage converter. The fact is that the temperature difference for generating sufficient voltage on the element is too small (on average 30 g), it is not enough to power the LED backlight.

USB conversion module from 0.9V to 5V. Exactly what is needed. Alternative link on aliexpress.

You need a light source - any LED flashlight with 3V LEDs. This can be understood by nutrition. If it has three batteries. I will not advise. Can be purchased inexpensively on aliexpress, at a hardware store, or tailor-made. Actually, the installation option is presented in these photos:

The Peltier element is clamped between the radiator and the U-shaped aluminum plate. And the entire structure is fixed on the pipe of the heating system through aluminum foil (for better heat transfer). The photographs show the chrome-plated furniture pipe (for debugging the structure). For fixing, you can take ordinary plastic ties. Or a clamp, like this:

Result:

As you can see from these photos, the design works. And if you use a thermoelectric generator of two Peltier elements, then the brightness of the flashlight will be even higher. It will no longer be just a highlight. Such a device can be installed on a hot water pipe (or heated towel rail) in a bathroom or toilet. And you don't always even need to turn on the lights.

But the structure will work from heating pipes only during the heating season. You convert the minimum amount of heat into electricity and light. You don't break anything, this energy would have remained in the apartment anyway. Yes, and its quantity is negligible in terms of heat.

Video of the author with his explanations for the assembly:

In a private house, such lighting can be done in the pantry, in cabinets, if the copper pipes of the heating system pass nearby.

But this issue can also be approached from the side of decorative lighting, for example, skirting boards or door openings. To do this, we purchase a fluorescent tape (EL wire) with a 3 V supply:

This is not an LED strip. It is a decorative element based on the luminescent principle of radiation. And it has much lower power consumption.

I wrote about the backlighting of the plinth using this tape in the article: Skirting lighting with LED or fluorescent tape with light and motion sensor

Ribbon length 3 m. Several color options. Similar products on aliexpress here (ten colors and tape length options from 1 to 24 m).

We use our thermoelectric generator instead of batteries. But. To power the fluorescent tape, you need not 5 V, but 3 V. This requires a different voltage boost module. This is also not a problem in our time:

Input voltage: 0.8 to 3.3 V. Output current - up to 500 mA. We get the following lighting effect:

This can be done in almost every room. And in the nursery, make it like a night light, highlighting the contours of the furniture.

In total, the entire installation comes out within 1000 rubles. Yes, it will not pay off if you count the backlight from a simple LED lamp for comparison. But. At night, you can always see from the street that there is someone in the apartment in your absence. At night, you do not need to turn on the light (and wake up your family) if you decide to walk to the kitchen. Although, I would also install a light sensor, this will increase the service life of the EL wire or LEDs by 2-3 times.

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