Is It Easily Possible To Put Peltier Unit Into A Cooler And Hook It Up To Solar Panels?
June 20th, 2009
I’m trying to create a green and efficient cooler. Do you think I could easily hook up the peltier unit to solar panels in a cooler?
Where would I also be able to get peltier units?
What’s there’s a battery?
Where would I also be able to get peltier units?
What’s there’s a battery?
Home > Solar Power For Home Q & A > Is It Easily Possible To Put Peltier Unit Into A Cooler And Hook It Up To Solar Panels?
It’s possible. You need the right ratings for the Peltier units, and for the solar panels. Plus a lot of sun. Note that when the sun goes down, the cooler doesn’t work.
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You can put one through the cooler wall.
Such units are commercially available.
The commercial ones, like by Koolatron, Coleman, etc., run on 12 VDC for convenience of the usual (USA) automobile electric system and pull around 4-5 amps. This will pull down a car battery in a few hours. They will depress the cooler by about 40F deg below ambient, but they do not have a built-in thermostat and can freeze in mild weather. They are very inefficient, but when working properly are more convenient that ice chests when on long auto trips.
The commercial suppliers have sold replacement parts including the electronic (Peltier) module. The commercial picnic electronic chest coolers currently retail for $90 -160 depending on the size.
The reference may be useful in the attainment of a Peltier module.
If you want a green and efficient cooler, a Peltier device is not the answer. They use a considerable amount of power to produce a little cool.
Read Bomba’s answer.
Peltier devices are available via electronic component outlets. Unless you are able to fit them up yourself into a workable cooling unit, better get a “spare part” assembly from a refrigeration supplier, if you’re going ahead.
Is there a battery? I’d hope the solar panels were already charging a battery or batteries.
Peltier devices require around 12 V DC generally.