dr_deathweed
- Oct 19, 2011
- 4
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2011
- Messages
- 4
Hello all. Please forgive my newbie status, I am much more adept in the biomedical field than in electronics, but am always open to learning something new. I would like to run my project past some experts to ensure that I am on the right track, and possibly get some ideas on improvements.
The project: I have a 50L cooler that I would like to install a peltier unit in to maintain a temperature between 65 and 68deg F. This will be stored in a location where environmental temp can exceed 80F. I would like to be able to run this entire project off of house AC so I can set and forget the system for months at a time. Also having an external display of interior temperature and relative humidity would be a plus, but not necessary if cost or space requirements are exceeded.
In the past I have built larger enclosures using a household thermostat on a relay to switch a fridge compressor unit on an off, but due to space that will be over kill in this situation.
My questions:
- Cooling 0.05m2, I roughly figured I needed 2-4W of cooling to allow the peltier to run long enough, and prevent short cycling. Please correct me if I am wrong in this.
- Currently I am looking at building a thermostat unit like the one at http://www.craig.copperleife.com/tech/thermo/ and using that to control the power supply to both the peltier and the DC fans on hot and cool sides of the unit off the relay pictured. Is there any problem running the high amps of the peltier through the same circus as those fans, or should I place them on a separate circuts with a SPDT relay?
- Powering this peltier and the circuit at a decent cost has been a thorn in my side. I am currently thinking of using a peltier with the ratings range of ~15-20W @~15v and 2-3A with a 12v 1A power supply to get what I need. Is this reasonable, and can I run my thermostat circuit off this as well?
-As for display, I am thinking of using a cigar hygrometer, mounting on the lid of the cooler, and placing the thermsistor and humidity sensor on leads through the lid. I have done this with various household thermostats, but have not taken one of these hygrometers apart. Any foreseeable issues, or is it possible to build this circuit as well with my beginners skill set?
This is all I have at the moment, I am sure more questions will arise, and thank all in advance for all your help.
The project: I have a 50L cooler that I would like to install a peltier unit in to maintain a temperature between 65 and 68deg F. This will be stored in a location where environmental temp can exceed 80F. I would like to be able to run this entire project off of house AC so I can set and forget the system for months at a time. Also having an external display of interior temperature and relative humidity would be a plus, but not necessary if cost or space requirements are exceeded.
In the past I have built larger enclosures using a household thermostat on a relay to switch a fridge compressor unit on an off, but due to space that will be over kill in this situation.
My questions:
- Cooling 0.05m2, I roughly figured I needed 2-4W of cooling to allow the peltier to run long enough, and prevent short cycling. Please correct me if I am wrong in this.
- Currently I am looking at building a thermostat unit like the one at http://www.craig.copperleife.com/tech/thermo/ and using that to control the power supply to both the peltier and the DC fans on hot and cool sides of the unit off the relay pictured. Is there any problem running the high amps of the peltier through the same circus as those fans, or should I place them on a separate circuts with a SPDT relay?
- Powering this peltier and the circuit at a decent cost has been a thorn in my side. I am currently thinking of using a peltier with the ratings range of ~15-20W @~15v and 2-3A with a 12v 1A power supply to get what I need. Is this reasonable, and can I run my thermostat circuit off this as well?
-As for display, I am thinking of using a cigar hygrometer, mounting on the lid of the cooler, and placing the thermsistor and humidity sensor on leads through the lid. I have done this with various household thermostats, but have not taken one of these hygrometers apart. Any foreseeable issues, or is it possible to build this circuit as well with my beginners skill set?
This is all I have at the moment, I am sure more questions will arise, and thank all in advance for all your help.