finding out the amp usage of a part

Hi Shane,

i just want to add some advice from my experience. I have using a lot peltier in my previous project. The best way you want to know the current for the peltier is look at their given datasheet and using workbench power supply. Peltier normally working related with voltage, current, temperature different and resistance. Be careful some of this peltier can run up to 40amp at 12v. Enjoy

Given link is the example datasheet http://www.hebeiltd.com.cn/peltier.datasheet/TEC1-12710.pdf

cheer

ES

I played around with Peltier coolers when they first came out.  Yes, they are power hungry.  My determination was that even though they used a lot of power, the power didn't have to be very clean.  I made an unregulated supply for the Peltiers, transformer, rectifier, LC choke if I recall correctly.  Then I used a regulated supply for the controller.  Clearly our host doesn't have a nearly a big enough supply.

ok i tried the suggestions using the multimeter and it looks like i need to buy a new one that will test this so i have decided to upgrade the power supply just in the process of setting this up but all seems good sofa i seem to be getting some cooling from the peltier

thank you for all the help guys

Most multimeter's will have a high burden voltage , here is a video that talks about it by Dave Jones from the EEVBlog (An Early one of his) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2yRR4G3yTA Goto about the 3:30 mark

or a simple definition here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multimeter#Burden_voltage

if your trying to measure a current and have trouble with the measurement, try using a 100mOhm or less, 5W resistor in series with the load, this would provide only 100mV drop per amp and you simply connect your meter across the resistor and set it to the 200mV or slightly higher range to measure the current (200mV in this case would equal 2A), if you need a lower voltage drop, use a smaller value resistor 50mOhm would provide 50mV per amp (So requires a little math to figure the true value but much cheaper than buying a new meter

Hope this helps

Peter