We’re not exactly worried about Armageddon here at Hackaday, but should we end up facing the end of the world as we know it, having something to pass the time would be nice. That’s why we were intrigued by [Janus Cycle]’s latest video where he both plays and powers a Game Boy by candlelight.
You’ve probably figured out the trick already: he’s using a Peltier module as a thermoelectric generator. Candles, after all, release a lot more energy as heat than light, and all that high-quality heat is just begging to be put to use somehow. It’s hardly a new idea; [Janus] references space-age radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) in the video, but back in the day the Soviets had a thermoelectric collar that fit around a kerosene lantern to power their tube radios.
In [Janus]’s case, he’s using a commercial module sandwiched between two heatsinks with the rather-questionable choice of a cardboard box reinforced with wooden skewers to hold it over the candle. Sure, as long as the flame doesn’t touch the cardboard, it should be fine, but you will not be at all surprised to see the contraption catch fire in the video’s intro. For all that, he doesn’t get enough power for the Game Boy — one module gets him only 2 V with tea light, but he has a second module and a second candle.
Doubling the energy more than doubles the fun, since a working Game Boy is way more than twice as fun as an un-powered one. But one candle should be more than enough power, so [Janus] goes back and optimizes his single-Peltier setup with a tall candle and actual thermal grease, and gets the Game Boy going again. Any fire marshals in the audience should look away, though, as he never gives up on keeping a candle in a cardboard box.
The “power something with a Peltier module” project is probably a right of passage for electronics enthusiasts, but most are more likely to play with the irony of candle-powered LEDs, or fans to cool the cold-side heatsink. We did see a phone charger one time, and that didn’t even involve open flames, which seems much safer than this. Remember — no matter how much you want to game after the end of the world, it’s not worth burning down your fallout shelter.
wait a moment, do i see cardboard close to an open flame? didn’t he know that it produces a lot more energy if you soak the cardboard and gameboy with gazoline beforehand?
We need more social rituals. It’s a rite of passage, not a right of passage
Rite of passage, please. Rite of passage is something else entirely.
LOL. Obviously I had the wrong rights there the second time.
I feel your pain. I really, really do. I also fixed it.
I do want to say we all have the right to undergo this particular rite. ;)
If you really want to feel pain, just skip the Game Boy and let hot wax drip instead of 2D “bricks.”
Wasn’t there a redesign of the GB that allowed it to run on 2 AAs? I’m not talking about the GBA. Should make for an easier setup. Still, kudos for getting a peltier to run an OG GB!!
Never mind the peltier and fire hazards, let’s talk about that analog meter with the corner-mounted movement. That’s some style.
That would be the Gameboy Pocket.