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Digital Current/Voltage Control

kas.lewis

I am looking to control the current/voltage to a device using a microcontroller. The essence of what I am trying to do is control a TEC so that a block of copper/aluminum is kept at an approximately stable temperature. To do this I would like to use a microcontroller running some form of feedback loop that is reading data from a temperature sensor or two and based on that controlling the TEC. I am still looking whether it is the voltage or current that controls the TEC temperature differential but I thought I would get a head start with trying to answer this question which really should not be so hard since I'm sure I have learned this stuff at one point. Anyways thanks for the help in advance.

 

Kas

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  • in reply to kas.lewis

    Hi Kas,

     

    I'm not sure (it may be related to marking the discussion as a question when first posted, which I'm not sure how to see anyway)

    but thanks for the comment anyway : )

  • in reply to kas.lewis

    Hi Kas,

    Your original post was listed as a discussion and as such it is not considered an answerable question. Element 14 has a box that you have to check when you first post if you want it to be a question.  I like to respond and I appreciate your intention to mark our answers as helpful, that is enough. Let us know how your project turns out as it is always fun to hear about the finished project.

    John

  • in reply to jw0752

    Hello John,

     

    I will try keep you posted, currently I'm waiting for some TECs to come in to do some basic testing with them and a uC. I'm hoping the FET will have no switching issues but if it does I guess I'll just have to switch it out for a different one. Once that is done I'll try add in an aluminum block (cooling unit) with a copper pipe through it. The final idea is to see if water can be cooled quickly and efficiently. Overall I am looking to beat the price point of both the system and power consumption of an always on refrigeration system for drinking water or possibly a general cooling system.

     

    Kas

  • in reply to kas.lewis

    Hi Kas, If you can find a way to put multiple small pipes through the aluminim instead of one large you will greatly increase the surface area to water volume flow and increase the heat transfer rate from the water.

    John

  • in reply to jw0752

    John,

     

    Thanks for the idea, I guess that would depend on how tightly I can bend the pipe so I can maintain a very small form factor.

     

    Kas