The best (cheap) Peltier module [test 2]

Hello guys,
I received a lot of comments to do another test video with Peltier modules, so in this episode I tested a few modules, including a powerful TEC1-12710.

A big THANK YOU to all my patrons, especially to: Max Rice, Anthony Ortenzi and Jonathan Jones.

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#diy #peltier #diyprojects

[scellyyt]

I also suggest applying pressure to the peltier cooler, in my many experiments I have found that clamping the cooler to the heatsink increases thermal transfer greatly. Also the maximum temperature differential is very different to actual energy pumped, the higher power coolers will maintain a smaller temperature delta but will pump a lot more energy than the lower power ones.

[michaegi]

Impresssive, thank you for all your effor!. I will consider the results for my next projects. At the moment I build some "fermentation boxes" for sourdough for friends and family, so I use the hot side of the elements to heat up a box. I improved efficiency using the results of your fist video already.

[fishyerik]

Heat pipes works in any direction, but they tend to work better much better "right" side up, that can have a huge effect on how much heat they can transport. Also, the heat that needs to be dissipated is the power consumption, plus the pumped heat, even if the pumped heat isn't that much, it adds to the total load.

But you've shown very well that adding more energy when heat dissipation is the main limiting factor won't result in lower temperature, and also that something designed for higher power doesn't have to be more efficient when there's a limiting factor stopping it for working in the range it's intended for.

3 amp modules are probably a good choice for most hobby projects, unless both the heat dissipation is good enough for higher power, and also higher power per module actually is needed, assuming a large temperature difference is needed, and not necessarily much heat flow at modest temperature difference.

[FUROFAÇAFICI]

Hello Sorin, content suggestion: you could bring a complex project with a power bank with a built-in Android smartphone in conjunction with smart relays to control them remotely (turn on, turn off lamps, sockets, maintain with UPS and or turn on, turn off modems and routers and computers remotely in case of malfunction)

[DeltaForce_Mobile]

Great test!
Before your videos i had doubts about which peltier is most useful
Tnx❤

[matrixismyname]

omg thank you! saved me some time, I love these type of videos, keep it up!

[chrisreynolds]

I've just got into peltier experimentation for the first time. At the moment I've only got the 706 modules. It seems to be true that the hot side heatsink needs to be huge for this one. I found a CPU cooler on a scrap desktop so I'm using that for hot side with the fan set to run at full speed. Down to minus 8.7 C on cold side so far (been running 20 minutes). Powering it all from a small LiFeP04 battery. Voltage at this moment 12.73 current 3.75 amps including fan, which uses 300ma at full speed.

[resist_or_die]

Thanks a lot. I appreciate the tables of measurements and your attention to other biases in the experiment. Could you test stacked Peltier modules? I plan to myself but it will be months because I am building something for a client right now. In military infrared cameras and some other applications they stack modules with different ratings and balance them so that the next stage up does not become overwhelmed. You'll need a lot of current to supply them however and some serious heat dissipation. A small scale test could involve putting a smaller module on one of the ones you have and using your existing cooler if you don't exceed 130W. I've always wondered what the practical gain would be in such an inexpensive arrangement. Take care brother.

[critterdoc]

Look like a solar-powered, Peltier plate chilled, 48 qt. Portable refrigerator will require a LOT more planning than I originally thought! Especially since this "large beer cooler" is for medical supplies/medicines chilled for several weeks on battery/solar power only. Done well, this well-insulated box, built as tough as possible, will maintain contents at or near 41 degrees F. without mains power. Wish us luck...disaster recovery is waiting for this one.

[metalmartin]

Nice video. I guess your "cold load" is far too small yet, so the lower power peltier gets too much of a advantage. A heatsink with cooler in the cold side, should improve the performance of higher power models and give a much better result. Just a guess through. Great work again.

[GiantRobo]

Agree 100%, especially because my applications are all for outdoor solar powered ability of the 03 modules to operate efficiently down at 9vDC gives me a little more wiggle room for parasitic current draws like cooling things getting cooked in the sun. As a personal project, i might have to try a similar concept on a game camera or two since they are notoriously easy to kill with only moderate heat or sun exposure.
Many thanks for posting this comparison.

[kennethpaulcalangi]

Hi Mr. Sorin, I love this follow up video regarding Peltier Modules. Ijust have a few questions:

1. with the experiments, the 12703 is the most efficient of the the 3 tested?
2. will the PM 12703 run efficiently at 9 Volts? whether I use 1 or 2 pcs of the module?
3 wiil the 12703 PM work on an air cooler with the cold side dipped in the water reservoir (with a heat sink attached) while the hot side is facing up with a cooling fan attached?
4. the #3 question's purpose is to cool down the water in the air cooler.
5. is the #4 question not practical for experiment or for long term use?
Just asking rather than using an air conditioning unit....
Thanks for this video again...

[LeadrainPbHO]

Thanks for you videos! I purchased a broken Fallout 4 mini fridge and am about to start fixing and improving it. It's been fascinating learning about how these Peltier devices work.

My first question I must find is how much power delivered does the fridge already give??? Since it looks like the lower quality 12706, it's possible it already has the power needed for the 12703.

Looks like a good excuse to purchase a volt meter to me!

[artursmihelsons]

Excellent video and great tests! Thanks! 👍

[parthamaity]

I also Suggest a 12v 15Amps smps and test again 1210 peltier module
I guarenteed More better performance...But also you are right because in 3amps power supply Better performance in 1203peltier module because maximum power rating 3apms
and a 1210 peltier module Current Limit 10amps

[tophlaw]

as always, I appreciate the due diligence & listening to the community... the results look quite definitive! 👍
🤓👉I'd love to see you turn the best module into a portable/mini "air conditioner" for the summer heat!
🤔perhaps make it reversible so it can also work as a heater to soothe the winter chill!
👋cheers & looking forward to your next project!

[HeyChickens]

Another very useful test would be to put an exact quantity of ambient temperature water on the cold side, then run the same tests at different voltages/amperages and see which peltier moves heat better at different td's and amperages.

[Ozzy]

I tec cooled my canon t3i dslr for astro imaging. I opened the camera and packed thermal transfer pads to get the sensor heat out the back of the camera. I did not want to cut up the camera, so there is plastic thermal resistance. By far my best results are using two 12706 (60W) stacked (gives more thermal delta, but less cooling throughput). And only running them both at 3.5v, it lowered the sensor from 95F to 55F, and it makes a big difference in dark noise.

[robertrjm]

The very final test would be to run a test where the hot side is at the same temperature for all test, and that could be achieved by water cooling. The higher power peltiers are creating more internal heat which needs to dissipated, hence when you have a more powerful cooler pulling the hot side to a constant temperature the results will look different

[johnbaraiya]

Thank you 😊 now I know how to make it!!