DIY Peltire chiller....

[Monkey_Bone]

I have acsess to several 125 watt peltier thermo cooling devices.
I want to try and rig them up in series in a rubber made container with some sort of probe ( like an Ice probe).
I am using computer fans on the hot side of the units.
These can get to -20 deg celsisus I am told so My hope is that around 8 of them in series can give me a 5-10 degree F. drop in my tank ( 100g with dual 250w HQI).

I need help with flow ( how much flow should I have flowing through?)
I need help with materials ( what would be the best to use for the probe?)
THanks!!!



:rollface:

 

[BruiseAndy]

well 8 of them could be close to 1/4HP chiller...not really sure what the efficency on a peltier is. 1/4HP you will want about 600GPH, just an educated guess though. You would think that at -20C they would freeze the water right to them and become a big block of ice.

Figure a square tube of acylic would be nice for mounting them to...how hot does the hot side get? Could use a ranco temp controller to bring it on and off.


What power source will you use for peltiers?

 

[jmccalip]

Not worth it. Even if you got it working, it would pull 10Amps. A 1/5hp chiller runs about 5amps. Just buy the chiller, it will be cheaper in the long run.

 

[RobbyG]

Don't waste your time, it will be difficult to make, won't cool the water the way you are expecting and will add a bundle of $$ to your electric bill. Just buy a chiller, it will be a whole lot cheaper and easier to operate.

 

[perpetual98]

That's the DIY spirit! lol

 

[RobbyG]

I am a very big DIY guy but when someone says "Im going to blow some glass tubes and fill them with Gas to make my own light Bulbs" What am i suppose to say, go ahead that makes a lot of sense!

The whole concept behind DIY is to save money or make something that cannot be reasonably purchased. Its not DIY to go out and reinvent the wheel, its just stupid!

 

[perpetual98]

I know, I know, I was just getting a chuckle out of the reaction that he was getting. I was planning on playing around with some peltiers on a pico tank I have so keep it from heating up too much with the halide, but I haven't gotten around to it yet to see if it's even feasible. It's pretty low on my project list, but I did pick up some peltiers for a song and a handshake off of ebay.

 

[RobbyG]

BTW here is a photo from a part of a chiller I made 10 years ago for my 55 gal, so you see I am a DIY guy.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...135&perpage=25&highlight=chiller&pagenumber=4

He would be much better off making a real chiller than using peltier.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7588604#post7588604 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by perpetual98
I know, I know, I was just getting a chuckle out of the reaction that he was getting. I was planning on playing around with some peltiers on a pico tank I have so keep it from heating up too much with the halide, but I haven't gotten around to it yet to see if it's even feasible. It's pretty low on my project list, but I did pick up some peltiers for a song and a handshake off of ebay.

 

[perpetual98]

Cool, I've been on that thread before. There's some slick DIY stuff out there.

 

[RicGio]

This has been discussed before...MANY times. The peltiers will work, but not be half as efficient as a chiller. and the at price of electricity today would be a big $$ sink.