| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Zakk
Regular Poster on IAH
Joined: Aug 10, 2009
Posts: 1091
Location: Kochi, Kerala
Status: Offline
|
 Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 9:09 pm Post subject: DIY Peltier Chiller |
 |
|
Hi!
Call me crazy but i honestly dont see the need for me to invest a good 12 to 15k on a chiller that i need just 4 months a year. So few a weeks of reading and i have decided to make a Peltier chiller for my latest tank.
I have figured out how to wire it, the heatsink, connectivity and the required Peltier plate wattage including a temp controller.
I need some help with a cold sink. am not sure if i should get a stone cutter to design a piece of marble and make a small custom "probe" that i can insert into the box section of a HOB filter or can i use aluminium and attach a solid piece of plastic to act as a probe?
help would really be appreciated.
thanks. |
Last edited by Zakk on Sun Jun 05, 2011 9:28 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
saikumar
Committed Member of IAH
Joined: Jan 30, 2007
Posts: 2226
Location: HYD-is-good
Status: Offline
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 9:14 pm Post subject: Re: DIY Peltier Chiller |
|
|
hello Zakk,
Can you elaborate the last para. Whats the probe for? |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Zakk
Regular Poster on IAH
Joined: Aug 10, 2009
Posts: 1091
Location: Kochi, Kerala
Status: Offline
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 9:17 pm Post subject: Re: DIY Peltier Chiller |
|
|
the final product will look like this Sai. i need help with the white probe u see in the pic.
Image link |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
random2
Moderator
Joined: Jun 23, 2008
Posts: 1212
Location: 12° 18' 26” N 76° 38' 59'' E
Status: Offline
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 9:46 pm Post subject: Re: DIY Peltier Chiller |
|
|
Firstly, Marble as cooling medium?? are you sure?
Have a look at the thermal conductivity of materials here - http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/thermal-conductivity-d_429.html
Could you explain what you mean by 'probe'?
More information on Marble/Plastic probe would be good.
Keep in mind - Use a good thermal conductor and have as much surface area in contact with water as possible for better results. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
random2
Moderator
Joined: Jun 23, 2008
Posts: 1212
Location: 12° 18' 26” N 76° 38' 59'' E
Status: Offline
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 9:57 pm Post subject: Re: DIY Peltier Chiller |
|
|
Zakk,
Just saw your reply to Sai.
You just cant use any material for that part. It has to be a good thermal conductor so that it cools the medium (In our case water).
In DIY terms, you can use the same material as the bottom (a aluminium heatsink). |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Zakk
Regular Poster on IAH
Joined: Aug 10, 2009
Posts: 1091
Location: Kochi, Kerala
Status: Offline
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 10:09 pm Post subject: Re: DIY Peltier Chiller |
|
|
Thanks deepak. Your point of Surface Area is something i hadn't considered. If thats the case, here is what i have in mind.
ok so i hookup the heat conductor using a standard CPU heatsink with the fan and use an aluminium heatsink for the coldsink side as well. This, i fit into the back of the HOB by makin a cutting the size of the sink.
Would this work? or will the aluminium create issues? I know copper is a no no due to its corrosive nature. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Zakk
Regular Poster on IAH
Joined: Aug 10, 2009
Posts: 1091
Location: Kochi, Kerala
Status: Offline
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 10:11 pm Post subject: Re: DIY Peltier Chiller |
|
|
Oh perfect! Thanks deepak. i just saw your reply  |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
random2
Moderator
Joined: Jun 23, 2008
Posts: 1212
Location: 12° 18' 26” N 76° 38' 59'' E
Status: Offline
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 10:36 pm Post subject: Re: DIY Peltier Chiller |
|
|
Zakk,
In terms of materials -
Good ones will be Silver - Copper - Aluminum
You wont use silver ( Heck, you could buy a chiller itself  ). Since you have inverts, copper is a definite no. So you are left with Aluminum.
You might have another problem. If you put the heatsink inside the HOB chamber, water might spill out from the top. Test it by holding a heatsink inside the HOB before building it. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
essabee
Regular Poster on IAH
Joined: Nov 14, 2006
Posts: 541
Location: Ranchi, Jharkhand.
Status: Offline
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 5:43 am Post subject: Re: DIY Peltier Chiller |
|
|
| Just use a square aluminum (SS would be best) tube section on the filter flow line for the Peltier Chiller and a thermostat probe in your tank for control. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Zakk
Regular Poster on IAH
Joined: Aug 10, 2009
Posts: 1091
Location: Kochi, Kerala
Status: Offline
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 7:59 am Post subject: Re: DIY Peltier Chiller |
|
|
@Deepak,
Thank you for that. Yes. You have a point there. I need to ensure that the inflow into the box is moderated and doesnt over flow.
@essabee
Am sorry but you lost me there. "a square aluminum (SS would be best) tube section on the filter flow line" Am assuming you are referring to an external canister filter, but i intend to use a HOB filter and the only inflow line will be submerged into the water in the tank. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
saikumar
Committed Member of IAH
Joined: Jan 30, 2007
Posts: 2226
Location: HYD-is-good
Status: Offline
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 10:43 am Post subject: Re: DIY Peltier Chiller |
|
|
Zakk,
Do you have a picture of the HOB and the Peltier? Want to figure out their size and the way you want to fit em in.
BTW for you to note- try getting the slowest HOB you can, i.e. lesser the l/h more effective in cooling it will be.
+ lesser heat from the small pump.
Thank you. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Matrix
IAH New Member
Joined: Jul 13, 2010
Posts: 95
Location: Noida
Status: Offline
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
alpha91
Moderator
Joined: Feb 01, 2008
Posts: 1549
Location: Pune,Maharashtra
Status: Offline
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 7:38 pm Post subject: Re: DIY Peltier Chiller |
|
|
Interesting!
I will be closely following this thread! |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Zakk
Regular Poster on IAH
Joined: Aug 10, 2009
Posts: 1091
Location: Kochi, Kerala
Status: Offline
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 7:58 pm Post subject: Re: DIY Peltier Chiller |
|
|
@Sai
Sorry bro. no pics as yet. i just ordered the plates and the adapter.
@Matrix
No offence, but 2 mins into reading that post I knew what his problems would be. I am surprised though that he had to make a 15v stepdown adapter. I find them here very easily. His setup is unwantedly complicated seeing that its a nano reef. FW doesnt need all that much work.
What i definatly didnt consider is the fact that these plates that i intend to use run a 100 watts. THATS a lotta power consumption seeing that this will be running 24/7 except when the temp is at the preset degree which will be controlled by the digital thermostat. Summers here get humid and the water temps reach easy 32c. Any one able to throw me a ball park figure as what the cost would be to run this lets say 18 hours a day, 7 days a week for a month? |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
josyjames
Committed Member of IAH
Joined: Apr 21, 2010
Posts: 2500
Location: Bangalore-Ramamurthy Nagar
Status: Offline
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 8:18 pm Post subject: Re: DIY Peltier Chiller |
|
|
| This thread is going interesting.. Will keep on watching the thread. Please do post all the pics step by step... |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
Guest(s): 1,909
![[News Feed]](images/powered/feed_20_news.png "News Feed"){kind=small}
![[Forums Feed]](images/powered/feed_20_forums.png "Forums Feed"){kind=small}
![[Downloads Feed]](images/powered/feed_20_down.png "Downloads Feed"){kind=small}
![[Web Links Feed]](images/powered/feed_20_links.png "Web Links Feed"){kind=small}
![[Validate robots.txt]](images/powered/valid-robots.png "Validate robots.txt"){kind=small}