Is there a recommended controller for Wakefield thermoelectric cooler?

[bobd]

Specifically, is there a recommended thermal controller or thermostat for the air-to-air Wakefield Thermal thermoelectric cooler assembly, m/n: TEMA-AA-50-24?
My application is an outdoor equipment enclosure.
Thanks,
BD.

[Steven_14444]

Welcome to the Tech Forum! I am looking to see what I can find for you.

[Steven_14444]

I do not see that there is a recommended controller for TEMA-AA-50-24 from the manufacture.

[bobd]

Yes. Thanks. I also couldn’t see anything from them, but thought I’d ask since they seemed to refer technical questions to Digi-Key. There’s really very little description of the control options in the datasheet. e.g., can one even use PWM controllers with these devices?

[Nathan_2268]

@bobd

From what I am seeing online PWM is a method of driving these.
One blurb I saw suggested to use an inductor in series to smooth out the PWM signal.

I also found the below item from Analog. I would recommend looking it over.
MAX1978 Integrated Temperature Controllers for Peltier Modules | Analog Devices

[bobd]

Thanks, Nathan. There is a lot out there on controlling the modules (TEMs), but it seems to me there should be something that pairs specifically with a TEC assembly. (i.e., two fans + TEM(s)).
e.g., AIRODYN ADC-48-450-U (DigiKey 2985-ADC-48-450-U-ND)

[David_1768]

Looks like this can handle 2 fans. If you decide to use this, please let us know how this works out for you.

[rick_1976]

The controller mentioned would appear to be a viable option for the unit in question. I suspect however, that it’s fairly common for folks buying a TEM assembly to simply connect a voltage source of the nominal rated value and accept whatever performance/behavior results.

Maintaining a specific temperature set point or optimizing performance is a bit more involved, and calls for building a thermal model of the system. While the particulars will differ from one instance to the next, the concepts are pretty much the same regardless of what module one chooses.

Some other posts likely to be relevant are:

Modeling Thermoelectric Systems

This post is part of a series on thermoelectric modules (TEMs), also known as Peltier devices. The prior page explored the basic function of TEMs and a method of describing their behavior mathematically based on information likely to be found in product literature. This page steps through a process of developing a thermal model for a system using a TEM to create a small beverage cooler/refrigerator, showing how different portions of the physical system are modeled, how product information can …

Thermoelectric Modules: Device Specifications

This post is one of a series on thermoelectric modules (TEMs, also called Peltier devices) which convert an electrical input directly to a heat pumping effect. Here, basic concepts of temperature and thermal energy are discussed, the general behavior of TEMs described, and a method for modeling device performance mathematically introduced. Subsequent pages show how this information can be used to make calculated system performance estimates, and highlight various other considerations relevant …

TEM Application Considerations

This page is part of a series on thermoelectric modules (TEMs) also known as Peltier devices. Previous pages in the series discussed the basic function of these components and techniques for modeling and predicting the behaviors of a TEM when used as part of a thermoelectric cooling system. This page covers a number of electrical considerations relevant to the operation of a TEM, and mechanical considerations regarding their installation as part of a thermal system. Electrical Drive Considera…