Need Peltier Devices? John is Looking for Help!

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the use of Peltier devices, particularly in experimental and practical applications. Participants share experiences, seek assistance, and explore the functionality and limitations of these devices in various contexts, including academic projects and personal inventions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • John is seeking burned-out Peltier devices for a demonstration in his dissertation work, expressing budget constraints.
  • Andy offers to share a picture of a modified Peltier device and mentions having dead devices available.
  • Another participant notes they are using Peltier devices for a senior design project and suggests that new devices can be purchased for around $20.
  • A participant describes their initial experience with a Peltier device, noting both sides became very hot when connected to a power source, questioning the expected cooling effect.
  • Another participant suggests that without a heat sink or current limiting, the device may fail due to excessive heat.
  • A participant shares results from a controlled experiment with a Peltier device, indicating that significant heat sinks are necessary for proper operation.
  • Several participants recount personal experiences of using Peltier devices without adequate heat sinks, leading to rapid temperature increases and discomfort.
  • One participant expresses concern that their design for using Peltier devices in a motorcycle vest may not work effectively, referencing potential issues with overheating.
  • Another participant humorously acknowledges similar past experiences with Peltier devices, suggesting that the design may indeed work but questioning its practicality.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share personal experiences and insights about the operation of Peltier devices, but there is no consensus on the effectiveness of using them in specific applications, such as in a motorcycle vest. Multiple viewpoints and concerns remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight the importance of heat sinks and proper current management when operating Peltier devices, but there are varying opinions on the feasibility of specific designs and applications.

jpt
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Peltier Devices Wanted!

Hi, I am a mechanical engineering student using Peltier units in my dissertation work. I am looking for any burned out Peliters' there might be lying around in labs or workshops.

The idea behind this is to 'open it up' by machining away part of one ceramic surface to demonstrate the semiconductor arrangement for a presentation I have to give in a few weeks..

I have a working Peltier I am using for my uni work but I cannot afford to purchase another given my current budget..

Any help would be appreciated, any condition accepted!

Cheers,
John
 
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John,

I have a picture of a TEC (peltier) with the top ceramic missing. You can see all the pellets and the interconnecting tabs on the top of each pair of pellets. If you PM me your email address, I will send it to you. We also have dead devices if you still need one.


Andy
<< e-mail address deleted by berkeman >>
 
Last edited by a moderator:


We're using TEC's for our senior design project! I would give them to you, but we need them until the middle of december!

You can get a good size one for like 20$ though, I think.
 


I just got a peltier (12v 60w TEC1-12706) and tried to check it out.

I have never had a peltier before and don't really know how they work.

Mine has a red and black lead so I connected them accordingly to a 12v DC trickle charger.

BOTH SIDES got hot (very hot right away).

I thought a peltier was supposed to make cold not hot - what did I do wrong ??
 


Without a heat sink to remove the heat or not current limiting (too much current from the charger perhaps), the diodes probably failed.
 


DrAlloway said:
I just got a peltier (12v 60w TEC1-12706) and tried to check it out.

I have never had a peltier before and don't really know how they work.

Mine has a red and black lead so I connected them accordingly to a 12v DC trickle charger.

BOTH SIDES got hot (very hot right away).

I thought a peltier was supposed to make cold not hot - what did I do wrong ??

I did the exact same experiment a few weeks ago when I purchased the exact same device. Ouch!

I just did a slightly more controlled experiment with some heat sinks and insulation.

After applying ~60 joules over 10 seconds to the device, I measured the following values:

Tcold dropped 2 °C
Thot jumped 14 °C

The temperatures then of course over time equalized

But it is obvious that a massive heat sink is required on the Thot side to make the device operate as advertised.

Peltier devices should not be operated naked, as they will quickly exceed their rated temperatures ( 138 °C for the TEC1-12706 ).
 


OmCheeto said:
Peltier devices should not be operated naked, as they will quickly exceed their rated temperatures...

This brings back memories. I put a little current through one with my thumb and index finger as the heat sinks. I did learn how fast it worked. :redface:
 


dlgoff said:
This brings back memories. I put a little current through one with my thumb and index finger as the heat sinks. I did learn how fast it worked. :redface:
I do believe that you, I, and DrAlloway, have all done the same experiment. Trial by ouch. :smile:

Eek!

Without the heat sinks, the temperature jumped 52 °C!
 


OmCheeto said:
I do believe that you, I, and DrAlloway, have all done the same experiment. Trial by ouch. :smile:

I feel better now. Thanks :wink:
 
  • #10


So all you guys are telling me that my design won't work.

I was going to get a bunch of these Peltiers and wire them into my motorcycle vest and be cool riding down the road in the summer.
 
  • #11


DrAlloway said:
So all you guys are telling me that my design won't work.

I was going to get a bunch of these Peltiers and wire them into my motorcycle vest and be cool riding down the road in the summer.

Sounds a lot like cronxeh's invention.

I'm sure it will work. The question is, is it worth the trouble?

And just be glad we did the homework for you, before you sewed all those TEC's into your vest, and it started smoking. (My closed cell foam insulation started to melt on that last run.)
 

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