Make a Stove Top EcoFan from Junk

How to make an upcycled stove top fan (like an EcoFan), from an old chainsaw cylinder and a few other scrap bits. It's been done with CPU coolers, but I wanted to make more of a sculpture that circulated hot air from the wood burner around the workshop. In this video tutorial, I show you how to make your own.
Subscribe to my channel for more fun projects! www.youtube.co...
Also check out my more recent video on Making a stove fan with overheat protection here: • Stove Fan's Achilles H...
Some of the parts I used:
Peltier or TEG - make sure it is rated to at least 150 degrees C - If you have the patience you can get a bunch very cheap on ebay here: ebay.us/VFWibP . These are all really TECs run in reverse, although not described as such. If you can, consider getting one that has a t-max of 250C - it will last better.
Motor is 1.5 - 6 v DC, easy to salvage from old cd or dvd players or available on e-bay: goo.gl/mTHpQf
I got the fan blades from e-bay: ebay.to/36s2i4H for about $8
The 3 blade one in the vid was an official Caframo ecofan replacement fan blade, which was more like $20 each (but these are harder to find).
You can also make your own fan blades - I show you how in this video: • How to make DIY Stove ...
Don't forget to use thermal paste! Get from e-bay here: ebay.us/9DtpxN
Step by step build of this fan and some extra notes: www.floweringel...
Info on the experimental sideways burning stove: • Experimental Wood Stov...
Lets Connect!
Patreon: / floweringelbow
My website: www.FloweringEl...
FB: / floweringelbow
DISCLAIMER: This video description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the e-bay links, and then buy it I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows me to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support!
Background music in order: Floating Cities, Hot Pursuit, Hustle, Merry Go, Fearless First - Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

[@FloweringElbow]

Friends, thanks for watching! Check out my new stove fan innovation - a mechanical overheating protection, that keeps the TEG safe: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6HQaGqjnc6qick

[@thenatureofnurture6336]

Music is too loud, speaking is difficult to hear

[@Needagoodnamebutcantthinkofone]

I just bought a wood stove fan for my parents for Christmas and I'm amazed by it. The only reason I watched this video is because of it. But do it all your hard work and the s*** you did to make this video All right well I'm subscribed you win, And hopefully you've got a lot more awesome videos like this because that would be great!!!! Either way I'm still subscribed hopefully it'll bring some money to ya......

[@FloweringElbow]

LOL thanks ga, and welcome aboard! Yeah check out some more of my recent vids and let me know what you think. Peace, Bongo.

[@ppipowerclass]

Drill press, lathe, tap and die set. Sure. I've got all of that in my back pocket.

[@mannybonello4667]

Thanks for getting back to me...you have a great Day.Great video!👍

[@-MrDontCare-]

This was a really cool DIY version of this fan. Great job :)

[@magicdaveable]

Functional Sculpture. Beautiful.

[@agoogleaccount2861]

A bit of aluminum boat Hull repair solder will "weld " aluminum together

[@АлександрМ-н3ф]

Спасибо за ваше видео и ценные идеи. Особенно понравился ваш эффективный тепловой редуктор. С ним можно не опасаться повреждения TEG от случайного перегрева на раскалившейся плите. Не думал. что такого TEG , будет достаточно для моторчика от CD с пропеллером. Спасибо вам !

[@mesabaabrasives690]

Great video. You supplied me with another project for my boy and I to tackle in the shop!

[@FloweringElbow]

Will release a vid of an improved version in a few days or so...

[@danielstevens5925]

i'd like to see one with a water cooling block that lines go outside to be cooled for a larger hotside/coldside difference.

[@FloweringElbow]

Hey Daniel. I like the way you think - nice project idea. Stay safe, Bongo.

[@MalachiTheBowlingGod]

Was hoping for a Stirling!

[@iamarapgod]

What about separating the components? Like the peltier can sit where it functions best and the fan where it can best move air?

[@OvenBak3d360]

Btw if you put power in to the teg you can heat or cool things

[@charlescoker7752]

Wonder why the last blade turn so much slower. Was it the weight of the fan blade?

[@FloweringElbow]

Hi Charles, I think it was just that the heat of the stove top was less then....

[@ErHaNcAdAyS]

Good job where i can buy this blade fan??

[@FloweringElbow]

I'm not sure any more. Let me know if you find it? The ebay supplier I used stopped selling them a long while back...

[@zubeyircimen6205]

A friend of mine has one of these, unfortunately it stopped working and my friend is looking for an answer to why it stopped working? Any idea guys? Could it be that the electrons in the TE materials have run out? Or what else? Thanks.

[@FloweringElbow]

Probably the TEG. Try having a look here kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6HQaGqjnc6qick

[@zubeyircimen6205]

@@FloweringElbow Thanks.

[@jons6368]

Nice build. I have made one from a piece of aluminum I beam and a CPU heat sink. It's run for a few years now, but now I have developed a problem. I use two peliers wired in series, and I just put two new ones in it, it ran for several days and stopped. I changed out the motor as well. Which peliers do you buy for your build? I think this could be the problem. Thanks, great video!

[@FloweringElbow]

Good afternoon Jon, Thanks for the comment friend,and sorry for the late reply. To be honest it was quite a long time ago when I bought the peltiers, and now I cant find the supplier, or even the same ones again... Did you source some and get it working in the end? Have you seen the more recent video on this subject, where I add overheat protection? Thanks again, Bongo.

[@abrahamf63]

It seems that it is cheaper for ordinary people to buy a fan.😂😂

[@ChristopherFarms]

Great video. I have a stove top fan that a purchased at a store (it doesn't moved much air). Should have built my own as I have played with the components before. I subscribed and will check out more pof fort videos when I get a chance.

[@MrSprintcat]

Thanks for the video . the link to the TEC seems to be missing. And is that one 250 c as well ? Thank you again .

[@FloweringElbow]

Good evening Mr SpeintCat, thanks for the comment! I am on the road atm but will update the links in the description as soon as I get home in a few days if that's any good? In terms of temp. Resistance, have you seen the more recent one with overheat protection? Cheers, Bongo.

[@MrSprintcat]

@@FloweringElbow yes awesome thank you.

[@danielstevens5925]

don't use a TEC use a TEG they are very different

[@FloweringElbow]

@@MrSprintcat Hi again. So I looked into this and the ones I used a few years ago (proper TEGs with a higher temp rating than 150c), seem to not be available on ebay anymore. Check out the video here kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6HQaGqjnc6qick which makes using the cheaper TEGs much more viable... Failing that I'd love to here if you find anywhere else supplying the higher temp TEGs. Thanks, B

[@jamess1787]

WD40 is a product that I haven't used or purchased in over 10 years. Many better purpose specific alternatives out there. Good video :D

[@jamess1787]

3 years later, just got a notice that you ♥️my post. Wow! Wild!

[@GrampyCampy]

Could you please build me one of these, I Don't have the smarts or know how for something like this?

[@matthewmilam286]

I really liked your idea I was going to make one myself But apparently the UK eBay is the only Place to find a fan blade the United States version of eBay does not have one I looked for about two hours and ordering a three pack From the UK Was going to be insanely expensive I guess here in the states they don’t want us making our own stove fans lol Guess I’ll be visiting the scrapyards trying to salvage some parts I will probably just have to make a fan blade

[@FloweringElbow]

Anyone find one for the US please post back here...

[@deanosmarhebert4258]

In the US, try searching ebay for model plane props. You can get some cool looking wooden ones that will push air.

[@deanosmarhebert4258]

www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=model%20plane%20propeller&ssPageName=GSTL

[@FloweringElbow]

Matthew Milam also check out my new video about making your own fan blades.

[@Oliko18]

Хорошее изделие для обогрева в гараже

[@malenekoldborg]

great project. ☺ only one negative thing. sometimes your voice is lower than the music. 😕 couldnt hear you.😔 otherwise 👍

[@FloweringElbow]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@malenekoldborg]

Anytime. I wanted to hear what you were saying=) It is an interesting project=) Keep making them =)

[@frankgrimes6771]

@@FloweringElbow lol

[@scuffieduffie]

use a solid block as a hot side.. Or a thin copper plate or something. Its cooling its own hot side.

[@FloweringElbow]

That's the idea. See 218 in the vid...

[@scuffieduffie]

You would say the hotter the better. Think i missed that part of the vid. Tnx for clearing up.

[@QF2653]

your link to the teg is broken

[@FloweringElbow]

Thanks for the heads up Thor - fixed ;)

[@Moray1949]

Where do the wires connect to from the little motor

[@FloweringElbow]

To the teg.

[@mada94fxr]

Very cool build. Can you provide a link to the fan blades you found including the cheap Chinese one. I am in the US and can't seem to locate "just" the blade. The Caframo comes in at $24.00 USD. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

[@FloweringElbow]

Hi, thanks for the comment. I just had a quick look and failed completely to find them. I will look again when I have more time, and a proper computer, not just a phone. In the meantime drop us a line if you find them ;)

[@mada94fxr]

That would be appreciated. I need to contact my friend in the scrap business and see what he has in the way of larger heat sinks. I have 3 wood burning stoves here and would love to build a few of these. Thanks for the video.

[@FloweringElbow]

Links now in the description. Looks like the one I got isn't available any longer... But options are there.

[@mada94fxr]

Thanks a pile. I checked them out and it seems that this deal is only available in the UK. I will try and contact them to see what shipping would be to the US. Again. Thank you

[@FloweringElbow]

Did you get anywhere with this, out of curiosity?

[@JonathanGrandt]

It actually is magic.

[@Desire_of_Ages]

Can you include a link for where you got the blades? thanks.

[@FloweringElbow]

I have updated the description with a few links. Hope that helps.

[@idahodeerhunter]

i have searched ebay up and down for this fan blade no luck. could you possibly provide a link please

[@FloweringElbow]

check video description now :)

[@techedfireman4981]

Awesome Job and Idea!!!

[@woodlandguy7246]

Any chance of a workshop tour?

[@FloweringElbow]

On the list of things to do :)

[@graafinhetbos]

Great idee for a boatstove that charge the battery 🤔😊

[@hisroyalblueness]

Great video but that manic music was a bit much to bear. Got my thumbs up.

[@zed9zed]

Great video with nice illustrations. The horror movie soundtrack was a little disconcerting though :) Actually the music is rather loud and distracting, and completely unnecessary in my opinion. Not a complaint, but I think viewers would get more value from this great video if there were no or much quieter music.

[@FloweringElbow]

Thanks for the info Zed, good to know. Thanks for watching.

[@muffdriver69]

Yes, DIY. Now all I need is the CNC lathe machine.

[@AlmostHomestead]

Love it!

[@OhMostBobulousOne]

How much for the equipment to build a $35 fan? Not to mention the time spent. It's cool though, just not for the poor man.

[@samsaville8472]

Has anyone else made a version of this? Has anyone had problems with the TEG getting fried?

[@jacobspranger1267]

You can find high temp teg's. 700 plus degrees.

[@FloweringElbow]

But the ones I found were quite expensive - care to share a link to one Jacob?

[@jacobspranger1267]

FloweringElbow tegmart.com

[@jacobspranger1267]

FloweringElbow search under teg modules. I had originally bought 2 modules that were 5 watts 5 volt creating 1amp a piece and was going to make a trickle charger for battery's out in the ice shanty. Hook em up in series - I was getting 12-13.7v 1amp.

[@ropogckue]

Привет! Сейчас это устройство работает? Перегревов не было?

[@FloweringElbow]

Привет друг. Пришлось ремонтировать его из-за перегрева. Это заставило меня сделать это: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6HQaGqjnc6qick который имеет защиту от перегрева ...

[@ropogckue]

@@FloweringElbow Так и думали. Сейчас посмотрим...

[@rasmis]

Am I the only person thinking of Grand Designs UK when I see Kevin MacLeod credited for music? It'd be Kevin McCloud's MC name.

[@FloweringElbow]

I fear this reference is lost on me.

[@rasmis]

He's the host of an odd show. I prefer the AUS and NZ versions, where he's absent.

[@JoshuaDoss]

Faf

[@Luzviminda777]

You have all the tools but could use some schooling/practise

[@ILikeRagtime]

GREAT video, but I had to watch it 4 times to get it all because the background music is so loud. Maybe it could be turned down?

[@FloweringElbow]

Lolly thanks for the feedback - it's my cunning ploy to get more views. Only joking, noted for next time. It will be very hard to change this one now, but in future vids...

[@FloweringElbow]

Lolly I will write out the subtitles for this one.

[@ASGSam1]

Why the loud music 😟

[@countmorbid3187]

Nice piece of work. However, I know it looks best in the center, but sucking in hot hair from the hottest piece of the stove to cool is just dumb and will only decrease performance.

[@mannybonello4667]

Music must Go.LOL

[@FloweringElbow]

latest video - no music.

[@chrislloyd1505]

Agree 100%, glad to hear the latest is music free, it is horribly distracting.

[@alltiallo]

Please skip the music next time. Can barely hear what you say.

[@dballard8660]

Rad.

[@canicel4454]

Can't hear you

[@stanleybennett8879]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍✌✌✌✌✌✌✌✌✌✌✌✌✌✌

[@terryravey6147]

background music drowns your voice

[@johnbarnette3916]

video would have been better without the music, just saying

[@backwoodsgps]

like minded like you !

[@michaelwmonaghan9420]

S Poulin Kaiy

[@Emptypockets51]

I wish I could hear/understand you better.

[@FloweringElbow]

Sorry about that - natural born mumbler... I put subtitles up.

[@VEPStudios]

could Not watch the whole thing as the music is annoying. poor decision on your part. However if you must do so it should be 1/3 of what you produced

[@FloweringElbow]

Yep agree. It was a long time ago. And my sound editing/ judgment was poor. Sorry about that.

[@skeets6060]

HOw about doing this again this time with out the so called music

[@FloweringElbow]

Skeets see here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6HQaGqjnc6qick

[@mrjack0623]

Turn off the stupid music, can’t hear what you are saying.

[@FloweringElbow]

Thanks for taking the time to mention this. I have (I hope) cleaned up the sound a lot in my more recent videos. Peace, Bongo.

[@ColinCearley27]

Turn down the damn music

[@goodlife7012]

The music makes it Unwatchable.

[@thenatureofnurture6336]

Dude has ridiculous $$ kit. Making from junk is totally misleading.

[@vicomedia1]

please lose the music - its distracting and unnecessary- we come to learn not be entertained

[@FloweringElbow]

Appreciate your thoughts on this. Most of our recent vids don't have music, so check them out 😉

[@bartybollocks]

Dude lose the so called music!!

[@carlschmiedeke151]

Ya know, if you leave all that stupid music / noise out of your videos, your videos would be much more enjoyable

[@jeffsamiei]

You chose worst possible method to make a video about an excellent topic, and it's very annoying...!!!

[@FloweringElbow]

Sorry about that Jeff. It was a long time ago and I was crap...

[@kevint1910]

it is called a "thermocouple"

[@doctorwork]

What is called a thermocouple? The TEG? Not really. Granted, it works on the same principle as a TEG (the thermoelectric effect), but it is very different from one in practice. The term "thermocouple" is usually applied to a pair of wires made of dissimilar metals (like chromel and alumel) that are melted or welded together, and they produce a voltage proportional to temperature which a calibrated meter can read and display as a temperature. They aren't made to generate usable current. In contrast, a TEG like this one that is used near room temperature is made up of two layers of bismuth telluride, one of which is doped positively and one that is doped negatively. Unlike a thermocouple, which puts out almost no current and can not do any useful work, a TEG puts out a lot of current which is dependent on the area of the plate and the temperature gradient.

[@kevint1910]

reread your post the two things your describing BOTH work off of the EXACT SAME QUANTUM EFFECT no matter what you call it Mr intellectualized idiot and THAT was my ONLY point. that said it is nice to see you know so many 5$ words and can even string them in to a readable sentence ...even if it is a pedantic nitpicking waste of punctuation.

[@RPRosen-ki2fk]

Doc Work I work with thermocouples and RTD's everyday, but I've never seen a TEG before. Thanks for the explanation. It was clear, and very easy to understand.

[@bobdickweed]

Great project and video man...new sub..;-p