Thermoelectric Generator for Charging USB Devices

This is an experiment to make a personal device that will charge one or more USB devices thermoelectrically from any heat source.

Building Instructions

Be gentle with the thermoelectric modules. Don't crush them, or pull or put stress on the wires. Take your time, and think it through.

Determine the hot and cold side of the thermoelectric modules using a multimeter, and label the modules.

Setup the thermoelectric modules in series, and test them with a multimeter. You can use the heat from your arm to send some voltage through in testing. Make sure each is working, and that there are no loose connections. Make sure they are all working in lower temperatures before proceeding.

Using higher quality and higher rated modules is recommened if your project budget allows!


The steel tube isn't an efficent way to transfer the heat to the modules, but for this design, we require a heat inefficently to accomidate for a lower temperature rating in the thermoelectric modules we are using.

Use the Red Hi-Temp Gasket Maker RTV as a glue, and attach the hot side of the modules to the heat pump, you won't need to use alot.

With a plan, and percision, strip and wrap the wires according to the series arrangement. I wrapped the wires with aluminum mig welding wires, and will solder these connetions later.

WIth the modules attached flat to the heat pump, inspect the cold side to make sure it is very clean.

Be careful when applying the thermal grease.

Apply a thin layer of the thermal paste to the cold side of the thermoelectric modules. You do not want to apply alot.

If there are gobs, there is too much. There should just be a thin, consistant layer.

I drilled 4 holes, about 1/8th inch, on each of the corners where the heatsink meets the modules.

Setting the modules onto the heat sink, I wraped the copper mig welding wire around one end of the heatsink, pulling the wire tight with some pliars, and again on the other side. Then wraped the holes again diagonally, on each side, making the wire really tight with the pliars.