The $15 Poor Mans Nano Chiller By C-BuZz

G'day,

Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGp5KpHTapU

Well I've been at it again heh heh. I really liked the thermoelectric peltier idea & I was pretty confident in it working, so I decided to give it a crack.

Parts:
Small tub: $2 from $2 shop :roflmao:
Peltier: $8 (ebay) 15v 68.5w thermoelectric
Heatsinks x 2: Free from junk pile
Screws: x 2: Free from junk pile
Thermal paste: About $1 worth
Fan: Free from junk pile
Power supply: 300w Free from junk pile


Drilled a hole through both heatsinks so I can bolt them together


Quick test to make sure it's wroking. The copper heatsink develops ice frost very quickly. This is in 34c ambients so I was rather impressed with this little peltier device already.


I put an insulation layer inbetween the heatsinks to stop the hot side heating up the cold side then stick it to the copper heatsink. Then a big blob of thermal paste on top


Cut a hole in the lid so I can bolt the heatsinks together


Then I bolt the them together



Did a little insulating around the heatsinks to prevent heat getting into the tub


This is the heatsink that will be submerged in water inside the tub


Fan cable tied on :roflmao: I accidentally spray painted some of it a while ago, but it does the job well.




Fill the tub with water & put the lid on



RESULTS:
I did take some pics of my thermometer before/after but I got no idea where they went...

Ambient: 34c/35c
Water temps before: 33c ish
Water temps after 1hr of running: 11c/12c

Testing on tank phase:
TBA, Have yet to test on tank...

TO DO:
Fully insulate tub. Have to run tubes from tank through cold chiller water, then back into tank.

From this little experiment I'm fairly confident that this little chiller can pull at least 5c of my 12L tank temps in a few hours, possibly less.

If anyone has some more idea's or tips I'm keen to hear!!

Thanks


C-BuZz

 

Thats pretty cool, but I have no idea where or what those parts are from. Also, are those parts made out of copper? If it is, that could be a problem.


Luna

 

Really neat, but I'm thinking the same thing, the copper would be a problem.

 

From the sounds of it, I don't think his water will actually be touching his water. It sounds like he will use it to really chill the water in the container, and just run sealed heat exchange lines through the container. At least that's how I am understanding it.

If that's the case, if you use plastic hose, you will not get enough heat transfer, as it will act like an insulating material. You'd have to get some titanium or stainless tubing coiled in the container to really get good use out of it.

 

I was thinking this but I wasn't 100% sure if that was how it's made up.

 

Very cool DIY, but we need to see it on a tank! What are you sealing the container with? Are you? More details.

 

Spot on, the water will stay in the tubes so no chiller water will actually go into the tank.

I think the heat exchange will be fine. I've already done this on my refrigerated DIY & it worked a treat. But I'll reserve judgement until I actually test it on my tank

Why do I need to seal the containter? There is no need so seal it. I will insulate the tub but there's no need to seal it.

C-BuZz

 

aaaaa copper+saltwater=bad

 

that's why he clearly pointed out that none of the water that's touching copper will come anywhere near his tank water. ;D

 

Cool cant wait to hear about the tank test. Its definitely not the prettiest chiller. But if it works great job.