Winter project,any hints suggestions

[cuzner]

I'm in the process of gathering the stuff to convert my ice box to a thermal-electric, a/c d/c cooler. so far I have peltier plates, heatsinks and cold plate gathered.(total cost 40$). Any one done this before? any hints or suggestions appreciated!<br /><br /> Jim

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Winter project,any hints suggestions

Nope, never done it. But I pulled an Igloo Koolmate out while dumpster diving at a boatyard. It uses the same technology. Simple design, ac or dc input to power supply that outputs dc to a small motor/fan and the plate. The motor turns outside with a fan on one end of the spindle to blow over the external heat sink. The other end of the spindle is inside the cooler with another fan to blow/circulate the inside air over the cooling side of the plate. That’s it!<br /><br />

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[ThomWV]

Re: Winter project,any hints suggestions

We have one of those Igloo's, I think its a Coolmate, that uses that cooling technology. It is just about the same size as the ice box on our boat and so I thought I might remove the ico box liner and simply replace it with the cooler, stood on end. I might have had to make some sort of flange but that wouldn't have been a problem. However before I tried that I used the thing a couple of times. That killed the project.<br /><br />It was OK for keeping things a little bit cool, it was never going to make anything what a person would call cold. It took forever to cool down what little bit that it did. I was alarmed at how hot the plug got, it was clearly using a lot of electricity for little gain (read into that the assumption that the things are inefficient). At any rate I do not claim to know much of anything about them but from what I saw it was a project I wasn't willing to continue with and so I didn't do it. Maybe they have got better since then, this was about 5 years ago I'd guess.<br /><br />Thom

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Winter project,any hints suggestions

Maybe that’s why someone chucked the unit into the trashcan. It's in like-new condition. I played with it enough to see that it worked but have never tried to actually cool anything with it, could take hours...days? It definitely isn’t a refrigerator. I presume if the technology were efficient it would be in the refrigerators in our homes. On the other hand, if you are tooling around for a weekend and have the alternator alternating, it may be usable. I would be concerned about any heat build up around the plug if too hot to touch. I supposed I should checkout the one I have. The power supply input is labeled 5amps at 12vdc. <br /><br />From Igloo’s website:<br /><br />The following usage points are recommended to achieve optimal Igloo Thermoelectric cooler performance:<br /><br />- Store the cooler in surroundings at normal room temperatures for at least 12 hours prior to use.<br /><br />- Plug in the Igloo Thermoelectric cooler and let it cool down for approximately three hours prior to loading contents.<br /><br />- Items placed in the cooler should be pre-chilled in a refrigerator or freezer.<br /><br />- During use, the cooler should be kept in a shaded area when possible. As with any cooler use, Igloo Thermoelectric coolers work best when placed away from direct sunlight. Because the Igloo Thermoelectric cooler needs ventilation for proper use, never operate any Igloo Thermoelectric cooler in a trunk or any enclosed area.<br /><br />- The cooler lid should be closed promptly after opening and remain closed when items are not being placed in, or being taken from, the unit.<br /><br />Most Igloo Thermoelectric coolers are designed to cool up to 44 degrees F below ambient temperature (the temperature of the unit surroundings, as in room temperature, car temperature, or outdoor temperature). The recommended operating temperature for Igloo Thermoelectric coolers is between 68 and 80 degrees F.

 

[ndemge]

Re: Winter project,any hints suggestions

I had thought about buildig a tiny AC unit for my computer once with a peltier... heatsink on the inside and out and there ya go, heat trasfer. As for the efficeiency of it, a compressor system is better, but if you only need to cool a small area, it is a great idea.<br /><br />If you have enough power, why not Sounds like a fun project

 

[cuzner]

Re: Winter project,any hints suggestions

Thanks for the input guys, I did some reasearch before I started buying the stuff.The peltier plates used in igloo etc are no stronger than 50w, the 2 I purchased are 230w each.They realy have come a long way with the tech stuff.I just ordered a cpu heatsink and fan for the hot side, and came across a 1/2 inch X 6 x 12 alluminum plate for the cold side. In theory the peltiers I bought have a 70 degree c temp difference between the hot and cold side. 30 celcius actual should cool the thing down pretty good.switches and stuff my next step.I plan on starting assembly in about 3 weeks. so far I have less than 30$ invested, I,m sure this will keep me out of trouble for awhile, even If it does'nt work. I'll keep posting.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Winter project,any hints suggestions

two points to consider cuzner.<br />1)use thermal compound between the junction and the heat sinks and be certain of good surface matting. Improper bonding of the two will cook the junction in short order.<br />2)calculate the size of heat sinks you need ... especially the hot side. If you don't disipate the generated heat properly it will cook the junction very quickly.<br />Check out the web site peltier-info.com/info.html for some great resources.<br />This is a very interesting project and should work well if you put a little time into the proper design of it. Good luck.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Winter project,any hints suggestions

forgot to mention that Melcor has a great on-line information handbook covering everything you need to know about design, selection, implementation etc. <br />Check it out at melcor.com/handbook.html Some great reading.

 

[ndemge]

Re: Winter project,any hints suggestions

I have a monster solid copper computer heat sink if you want it, was for athlon socket (so ya know the size) big ole heavy thing with lots of deep fins.<br /><br />yours if ya want it for the project.

 

[lund17]

Re: Winter project,any hints suggestions

I would suggest rtying to run it from your power source before permanently installing it. I used to have one in my pick-up camper but it consumed battery so fast I ended up throwing it away and going back to ice. good luck anyway.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Winter project,any hints suggestions

The peltier plates used in igloo etc are no stronger than 50w, the 2 I purchased are 230w each.

Those two plates are going to draw 38.3 amps at 12VDC. Where are you going to come up with that amount of power?

 

[cuzner]

Re: Winter project,any hints suggestions

Thanks for all your input guys. I'm going to hook up it up thu my shore power, 30amp power.I've got alot of work to do on wiring yet. I will only be using peltier plate.Thanks for your ofer ndmedge, I've tore apart 3 old computers to get most of the stuff I will be using, and had a freind that works at a tool and die shop offer to machine a alum. plate I have into a cold plate as soon as I give him measurements.the fans I took out of the computers I'll use along with a copper heat sink I have for the hot side.I pulled a 300 watt transformer from one of the computers that will be used as a power source. I will have to come up with a way to seal it from moisture.For safety I've a freind who is good with electronics, I'm going to try talk him into making a thermal switch. Biggest problem may be how to fit this thing in the space I have.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[ThomWV]

Re: Winter project,any hints suggestions

I'll certainly be interested in how your's works out. Over the years I've had passing thoughts time and again about some way to put in an actual refridgerator of some sort. As it is now our 'ice box' is just used to store flares, sun screen, insect repellent, salt water flys, stuff like that. It would be nice to be able to actually use it for sammiches or whatever. <br /><br />The couple of times we used that cooler we had (and probably still do have) I got the distinct impression that if we had put things in it that were already cold that it would probably hold pretty well as long as we didn't go hog wild opening the door but that it would never actually chill anything. As already said though, it was an old and low power unit. As for the plug - it didn't get so hot that you couldn't hold it, but it got hot enough that you definitly would be concerned.<br /><br />Thom

 

[cynthia1]

Re: Winter project,any hints suggestions

so guys are you saying that I cannot remove my ice box and Install a small electrical fridge. I was going to do that and hook it up to shore power.. When we boat we usually just hang dock side.. If we go out its only for a couple of hours.. I thought a fridge would keep thing inside cool for that length of time until we plugged back in. I was going to freeze water in a bottle to assist with keeping things cold when we were unplugged during the day.My thoughts were use it to stock pop , sandwiches etc.. I know a my fridge at home will keep stuff cold for several hours without hydro. I thought it would work the same on a boat.

 

[JB]

Re: Winter project,any hints suggestions

This is a 4 year old thread, Cynthia, and you are a bit off topic.

You would be far better off to start a new thread.