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View Full Version : Peltier Junctions

duxrneet
10-05-2002, 09:03 PM
These devices are solid state metal thingies that either generate a heat gradient (think refrigerator) when a voltage is applied, or they generate voltage when a gradeint is present (one side is hotter than the other). I will be buying a few of these and connecting them + to - to eachother on each side of the motor. I think that if the motor heats up, they will create current (since the heat gradient will be maintained with a heat-sink) which would power the other one to genearate a gradient. It does sound a bit circular, however, so I'm not sure if it will work. This will surely be micro science in the making. Here are a couple URL's that sell these things.

http://www.gatewayelex.com/gadgets.htm
http://www.herbach.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=HAR&Product_Code=TM92HVC2178
ScottMcLeod
10-06-2002, 09:21 AM
The first problem with peltiers is, that you usually need a transformer to run them (for computers at least), or the same rating on the peltier, for the size of your battery pack (in the case of R/C). Note that they also drain a huge amount of current.

The second problem is that one side gets cold, while the other gets PIPING hot! This could risk melting your lexan shell (or wires, or gears or anything else meltable) if you're not careful about positioning and ventilation.
duxrneet
10-06-2002, 05:35 PM
They can be powered by a heat gradient which I would be getting from the heat of the motor. Also attached to the junction would be a heatsink to maintain the gradient. If it wasn't powered by batteries (which it won't be) then there's no reason it will melt anything...
ScottMcLeod
10-06-2002, 09:51 PM
I didn't know that they ran without power... COOL!
carbongraphite
10-13-2002, 01:50 AM
most are 12 volt and if you want one that actually works you need at least a 80 watt peltier. most are flat unless you order a custom one. its not worth putting in your micro rs4 unless you uses it to cool packs between mains and charges.
ScottMcLeod
10-13-2002, 08:46 AM
Yeah, that's what I remembered from my watercooling days with my PC...
DrFelix
10-27-2002, 10:56 AM
So youŽre talking about some "perpetuum mobile"?
Motor gets hot -> produces current to drive the motor -> motor gets hot and so on...too bad that in the real world there is friction and resistance. But iŽd like to see if that thing works. Chapeau for the really weird idea!

DrFelix
duxrneet
10-27-2002, 05:33 PM
Lol, I'm not pretending that it will be a perpetual cooling machine, it will merely be a cooling device that runs off the wasted heat of the motor.