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Post by Gary Lecomte on Jan 9, 2015 7:46:07 GMT -8
I Decided to create this cooler for use in my truck. This uses a Computer Fan/Heat Sink and a Custom Machined Cold Sink, machined from a 3 inch diameter Aluminum rod. The Thermoelectric Module (TE) measures 1.5 inches Square * 1/8 Inch thick and is rated at 6 Amps and 14 Volts. With Power Applied, The Fan runs Continuous to cool the Heat Sink. Since TE Modules Pump Heat Based on Temperature Differential, The Heat Sink has a Thermistor on it and this drive a comparator to turn the TE Module On/Off, based on the heat sink being at a Reasonable Low Temperature. This is an adjustable setting using the Potentiometer. It will nicely cool a can of pop in about 10 to 15 Minutes, depending on the Ambient temperature.
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Post by Gary Lecomte on Jan 9, 2015 7:47:28 GMT -8
First Picture is my Completed Unit with a Blue Foam Insulation around the outside. Sorry I Did NOT Take any picture of the Cold Sink, when I machined it out. In the Second Picture, this is an Older Version of this Pop Cooler that I made. Note: The Heat Sink on this one has a Copper Base to More Quickly Spread out the Heat to the Fins. The TE Module Mounts directly on this Copper Base, using Heat Sink "Thermal Grease" to increase Thermal Conductivity. When Milling the Cold Sink, I did NOT mill the Square Pad on the cold sink with Enough Thickness for good insulation between the Cold and Hot Sinks. So I Added a Copper Block to give a Greater Distance. 1/8 inch Aluminum + 1/4 inch Copper. Making this 3/8 Inch Total on the Cold Sink. And the TE Module is 1/8 inch Thick. So the Total Gap between the Heat Sink and the Cold Sink is 1/2 Inch. This Allows for a Good thickness of Insulation between the two Sinks. However Adding the Copper Block adds a Thermal Loss. Resulting in needing Thermal Grease between the Copper Block and Aluminum Cold Sink and also between the Copper Block and the TE Module. The Full 3/8" Should have been Milled into the Aluminum for BEST EFFICIENCY and Only requiring the Thermal Grease on the TE Module. Insulation between the Cold and Hot Sinks is MOST Important. And Insulation of the Entire Cooler is also VERY Important. Click on Pictures to make them Larger.Attachments:
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Post by retiredat55 on Jan 12, 2015 3:11:07 GMT -8
Hi Gary, I'm interrested in this project! Where do I find the schematics etc.?
Dante
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Post by lamazoid on Jan 15, 2015 0:06:32 GMT -8
Cool thing! I have few cooling modules for my stove project (inspirated by Philips wood stove), but also thinking of something to cool beer cans BTW, Gary, what is your truck? is it caravan (house on wheels, i dont know proper name of it)? I'm interested in some special equipment for them, especially 12v heaters and pressure water pumps.
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Post by Gary Lecomte on Jan 15, 2015 7:10:56 GMT -8
Cool thing! I have few cooling modules for my stove project (inspirated by Philips wood stove), but also thinking of something to cool beer cans BTW, Gary, what is your truck? is it caravan (house on wheels, i dont know proper name of it)? I'm interested in some special equipment for them, especially 12v heaters and pressure water pumps. I have a bunch of these Thermoelectric Modules. Many Singles and a few, 2 and 3 Stage Stacked ones also. Biggest Problem with these Modules is to keep the Hot Side of them Cool enough so the Cold side Gets really Cold. This can be Difficult in a Vehicle on a Hot Summer Day as the Temperature in a car or truck can get over 40 Degrees C. In Australia and some other countries, they call these vehicles "Caravans". In Canada and the USA, they usually call them "Campers" or "RV's". (Recreational Vehicles) My Last Truck, I had it fixed up good for camping, It had a 6 foot high ceiling, with a Fridge, Stove, Propane Furnace for Winter use, a good bed and Toilet. But it got too Old and hard to get parts for. My present truck is just a normal Cargo Van. Can't stand up in it. But I have the Essentials for short stays while travelling.
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Post by lamazoid on Jan 16, 2015 8:04:09 GMT -8
In Australia and some other countries, they call these vehicles "Caravans". In Canada and the USA, they usually call them "Campers" or "RV's". (Recreational Vehicles) My Last Truck, I had it fixed up good for camping, It had a 6 foot high ceiling, with a Fridge, Stove, Propane Furnace for Winter use, a good bed and Toilet. But it got too Old and hard to get parts for. My present truck is just a normal Cargo Van. Can't stand up in it. But I have the Essentials for short stays while travelling. WOW! sounds like a real apartment. Many people in Russia does not have such comfort even in their home Here we also call them "caravans" without translation, or "house on wheels" (russian translation for this). Its relatively new kind of hobby here, but becomes more and more popular. There are no caravans produced in Russia, so we buy used Japan or American models. I'm also planning to buy something like Toyota Townace, not a classic "caravan", but i plan to rebuilt it. The real problem is special equipment, like freezers, pumps, heaters, etc, working from 12v or gas. There's nothing on russian market. I'm seeking for any info and sources of it. But getting parts
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Post by Gary Lecomte on Jan 16, 2015 19:10:06 GMT -8
I have added some more info and a Picture to my Second Post on here.
Take care...Gary
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