peltier devices (any experts)

[bitx]

Does a peltier device have a lifespan similar to that of a diode (ie a
long time if used within limits??) ...

Also can it be switched on and off (say 10 min intervals) ....Ive got
a cheap disk smith peltier 6 pack cooler which i want to run 24/7
(only to keep fish food from going stale) but as its running from
solar power i'd like to run it on/off 50% duty cycle.. would a 10min
on 10 min off cycle harm it.. As it is at present its juts permanelty
on!

 

[Mark Harriss]

Does a peltier device have a lifespan similar to that of a diode (ie a
long time if used within limits??) ...

Also can it be switched on and off (say 10 min intervals) ....Ive got
a cheap disk smith peltier 6 pack cooler which i want to run 24/7
(only to keep fish food from going stale) but as its running from
solar power i'd like to run it on/off 50% duty cycle.. would a 10min
on 10 min off cycle harm it.. As it is at present its juts permanelty
on!

Don't they usually use a PWM signal with a frequency above a
certain minimum to avoid thermal shock. You could just feed
it with a 50% duty cycle squarewave above that set minimum
frequency.

Regards
Mark Harriss

 

[Geoff C]

Does a peltier device have a lifespan similar to that of a diode (ie a
long time if used within limits??) ...

Also can it be switched on and off (say 10 min intervals) ....Ive got
a cheap disk smith peltier 6 pack cooler which i want to run 24/7
(only to keep fish food from going stale) but as its running from
solar power i'd like to run it on/off 50% duty cycle.. would a 10min
on 10 min off cycle harm it.. As it is at present its juts permanelty
on!

I have never seen comprehensive reliability data, but peltiers will subject
to thermal cycling failure IMO. They are mechanically fragile, (if you pull
one apart as I have, the little metallic bars that are the thermocouples,
can easily be destroyed by rubbing your fingers on them). A moderate speed
PWM of more than a few kHz is what I've used on my designs in the past,
with field faults only due to overheating instances occuring. I would not
rate them as relaible as a diode and I can't say how many thermal cycles
they would last, but PWM is a reasonable approach.

 

[bitx]

If its a 12v device would running is at say 6-8v harm it in any way?

 

[Geoff C]

If its a 12v device would running is at say 6-8v harm it in any way?

I have always made sure that the RMS voltage is less than the nominal
maximum voltage. Overcurrent should be avoided. Even if the surface
temperature is within limits, hotspots probably will occur at the
thermocouple junctions if higher than maximum current is used. Use a series
resistor of the appropriate value if you can't be bothered with a PWM
system.

 

[Geoff C]

If its a 12v device would running is at say 6-8v harm it in any way?

This is safe for the device, just less heat pumping power.

 

[bitx]

Yeh i realise they are terrbly inefficient for cooling... I have
200watts of panels which should do the job ...The cooler is
just to keep the food fresh ..(yeh sounds like a over kill but its a
serious fish tank ..1400L full of coral and reef fish).