Peltier Thermocouplers for cooling?

[ReddyWatts]

Has anyone considered using a Peltier Thermocoupler for cooling an ESC?

Usage examples :12 volt electric ice coolers and computer CPU heat sinks.

They are small, cheap and light. 40mm x 44mm $14.95
They heat on one side and cool on the other. About a 70C difference, some higher.

[Boatman]

Really? How do they work? only thermocoupler I know of is in water heater and furnaces.

[ReddyWatts]

Peltier Cooling Devices
A Peltier thermo-electric device is a cooler and heater in one solid state unit. Made of metal P/N junctions (essentially diodes) assembled in parallel between two ceramic plates, Peltier devices are connected to a DC voltage and current source in order to operate. While under power, one side of the Peltier device gets cold while the opposite side of the device gets hot. Either the cold or heat produced by a Peltier device may be used (or both) depending on the needs of your own application. Users should research and understand the Peltier effect and the specific requirements of their own applications for this device.

With the addition of your own heat sinks, electric fans, or thermostat, a Peltier thermo-electric devices can be effectively controlled and used to create small lab ovens, incubators, refrigerators, or other special temperature controlled fixtures. Use a Peltier device to cool your electronic circuits and components, or make a warming plate for your coffee mug. Let your imagination be your guide.

Peltier-2 Features
Operates on DC voltage and current
solid state heating and cooling at the same time
Device Specifications
temperature differential: 152.6°F (67°C)
voltage: 15.4V
current: 6A (max allowed)
Qmax: 51.4W
127 peltier junctions between two ceramic plates
dimensions: 1.6" x 1.6" x 0.15" (4cm x 4cm x 0.381cm)

[Steven Vaccaro]

There are some cool things that can be done to cool esc's. I have a cousin thats a engineer that specializes in this field. We have spoke at length about cooling both motors and esc's. He's personally designed tiny radiators for military infrared targeting scopes that fit on rifles. He was helping me engineer boat hardware, BUT developed a health condition and the doctors prescribed Oyx for, now he's addicted. We are trying to get him back to shape.

[Steven Vaccaro]

Ready how cool can one of those get and where can we buy them?

[t warne]

Good idea...

ReddyWatts,
I have considered it.
Please see my post " Cool fast electric with an electric cooler?" It is post # 31 in "Thoughts on water pick-ups."
Great minds think alike?

Steven,
I know that you can but them at American Science Surplus for $20.75.

Thanks guys.

[Rex R]

at a guess I'd say somewhere between 0 and 32F with the hot side around 120 - 160F.

[ReddyWatts]

You will probably still need to add a heat sink to the hot side. Here are a couple of links. Does anyone know how long it takes for one of these things to cool down?

Peltier Heat Pump
High tech comes to Am Sci & Surp!! It is here in the form of a Peltier junction, a thermo-electric device that translates electric power into heat, and perversely, into cool. Apply current @ 3-12 VDC to the gizmo and it extracts thermal energy from one face, thereby cooling it. The heat is dumped onto the other face, thereby heating it. Please note: you must use a heat sink on the hot side or the junction will fry itself, since it can quickly create a 65° C temperature differential in a no load situation. Stack two, or build a cascade to increase the thermal differential created. Or run it backwards. Apply heat or cold to the relevant face and produce a current. Amazing for science projects and experiments. Practical for coffee warmers, beer coolers and mini-refrigerator or warming oven applications. Comes with instructions.


15.4 volt 3 amp 1.2" x 1.2" x 0.14"

http://www.designnotes.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=PELTIER1&Category_Code=thcm

15.4 volt 6 amp 1.6" x 1.6" x 0.15"

http://www.designnotes.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=PELTIER2&Category_Code=thcm

2 stage Peltier thermocouplers

http://www.ferrotec.com/products/thermal/modules/moduleDetail.php?id=92

Sealing options to water proof 2 stage coupler.

http://www.ferrotec.com/products/thermal/modules/teSeal.php

[Doug Smock]

It's a interesting idea. However, controlling condensation may be an issue.

Doug

[Steven Vaccaro]

It's a interesting idea. However, controlling condensation may be an issue.

Doug

Since your the resident refrigeration specialists, lets hear your suggestion's?

[ReddyWatts]

How do they take care of condensation when using them on computer CPU's?

[Doug Smock]

How do they take care of the condensation when using them on computer CPU's?

I bet you'll tell us shortly.

Steven,
I don't know but would guess that one would have to make sure that the entire surface of the thermocouple be covered with the load ( in this case a ESC ) and that the temperature would have to be controlled so that it doesn't fall much below ambient.

I may have to get one or two to play with.

Doug

[ReddyWatts]

I really dont know, just throwing this idea out and asking questions about these things. I have never seen one.

[Doug Smock]

I really dont know, just asking questions about these things. I have never seen one.

This may be the key Reddy. Unless a guy knew exactly what the heat load was on the ESC and could get a thermocouple that closely matched it.

http://www.ferrotec.com/products/thermal/controller/

Doug

[ReddyWatts]

You can hook these directly up to batteries without using a temperature controller module. They have a variable input voltage range for the amount of cooling you need. Just do not let the hot side get over 85C, 185F. it will melt the solder joints inside the thermocoupler just like a controller. Maybe someone will play this idea and try one.

Here is a beer mug cooler, using a fan, heat sink, copper plate and Peltier cooler on rechargeable batteries. Might want one of these. ha