Stacking TECs for effeciency - Overclock.net

IwubAMD · 10-07-07

i still cant get over the idea of using 400 watts on a pelt

So since TECs are more effecient at lower volts IE they move more heat per wattage used, would it be possible to say stack 4 TECs at 1/8 their max volts

like 4 x 437 watt TECs @ 3 volts

wouldn't this move the same amount of heat for less power consumption?

**RyGuy** · 10-07-07

You will wreck the TECs. Not to mention using mass amounts of power. It is best to just use one good strong peltier.

IwubAMD · 10-07-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyGuy

You will wreck the TECs. Not to mention using mass amounts of power. It is best to just use one good strong peltier.

read please, why would i wreck the TECs and how would i use mass amounts of power when delivering them only 3 volts

**RyGuy** · 10-07-07

That's not how you are supposed to stack pelts. Generally you stack them in a pyramid form such as this scenario:

62mm Pelt = 450W
50mm Pelt = 226W -70C
40mm Pelt = 120W -140C
40mm CPU = 100W -210C

Total power for the TEC stack = 900W
Total heat load = 1kW

You could get ridiculous temps like that, but it needs 900W of power to run.

Is it even possible for a pelt to run at 3v? I have never heard of anybody going below 5v.

IwubAMD · 10-07-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyGuy

That's not how you are supposed to stack pelts. Generally you stack them in a pyramid form such as this scenario:

62mm Pelt = 450W
50mm Pelt = 226W -70C
40mm Pelt = 120W -140C
40mm CPU = 100W -210C

Total power for the TEC stack = 900W
Total heat load = 1kW

You could get ridiculous temps like that, but it needs 900W of power to run.

Is it even possible for a pelt to run at 3v? I have never heard of anybody going below 5v.

again, read please, i know thats how most people stack pelts might have something to do with why the title is "Stacking TECs for effeciency", im not interested in -200 degree temperatures im interested in using as little energy as possible while still getting good results

on topic k thx

Zach.Reliford · 10-07-07

I don't know much about the TEC cooling stuff but the way I look at it:

The first one transfers heat from the CPU to the hot plate, and creates some extra heat while it's at it.

Now, if you did it and had them staged, like starting at 5 V then going up in 2V increments or so, then maybe that would work. The TEC's wouldn't have to worry about getting too hot, but you'd still have to WC the top block I assume...

EDIT: Ok, I was thinking the same thing as RyGuy. Nevermind me...

IwubAMD · 10-07-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zach.Reliford

I don't know much about the TEC cooling stuff but the way I look at it:

The first one transfers heat from the CPU to the hot plate, and creates some extra heat while it's at it.

Now, if you did it and had them staged, like starting at 5 V then going up in 2V increments or so, then maybe that would work. The TEC's wouldn't have to worry about getting too hot, but you'd still have to WC the top block I assume...

yea thats sort of what im talking about, and yea youd still have to watercool it

but the idea is @ a certain consumption TECs create a temp dif between the two sides, so like if it were two

first hot 50c, cold 30c @6v
second one under it hot 30c, cold 10c @6v

vs one @ 12v 50 hot 10 cold, but since at 6volts vs 12 volts they actually consume LESS than half the power they do @ 12v, so total consumption for the same temperature movement would be less

**RyGuy** · 10-07-07

I read you post, more than once, calm down. I thought about it and this is what I think.

Stacking more than one pelt of the same wattage will lead to thermal build-up since peltiers dump the heat they remove from the cold side as well as the power they consume. You would have to use more power on the pelts nearer the top to eliminate this buildup, thus making stacking useless since you will end up using the same, if not more power than a single @ high voltage.

IwubAMD · 10-07-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyGuy

I read you post, more than once, calm down. I thought about it and this is what I think.

Stacking more than one pelt of the same wattage will lead to thermal build-up since peltiers dump the heat they remove from the cold side as well as the power they consume. You would have to use more power on the pelts nearer the top to eliminate this buildup, thus making stacking useless since you will end up using the same, if not more power than a single @ high voltage.

i still dont think your getting what im saying, the temps will slowly increase on each pelt, thats part of it, not a problem

where as one TEC would say be cold -> hot;
10c->100watt cpu+40watts tec->50c

vs say 4 tecs

10c->+5 watts tec->20c (cpu watts is moved along the entire stack to the top)
->same watts-> 30c
-> same watts->40c
-> same watts->50c

cpu heat gets moved to the top of the top TEC, but each TEC in the stack uses less power (by less power i dont meen 5 instead of 40 watts, i meen its less than 40/4) because its being undervolted and more effecient, so totla power consumption would be less but the the total wattage moved from the CPU would be the same

Zach.Reliford · 10-07-07

Ry, calm down. I posted in between his two.

Quit jumping his case. If he is new, at least he's asking questions. I hate kids who think Linux is 1337 and stuff but they have no idea what commands do this and that. They just copy and paste from Linux forums. Script kiddied.

So thanks for not being one of them, IWubAMD, even though you DO have an insanely nice PC/CAR!

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Stacking TECs for effeciency

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