recommendation for controller

[libraryman]

Continuing with my attempts to cool my 450d, I'm using a 12706 36watt Tec on a cold finger.

I need a recomendation for a suitable controller for the tec?

Anyone please?

Ray

[russellhq]

I'm experimenting with an arduino nano, MOSFET and the PID library. It seems to be going well so far.

[libraryman]

Hi Russ, I haven't got a clue what they are! I know what a pid controller is and I have read a little about ardinio but ardinio is something of a mystery to me!

Can you post a link? In the meantime I'll do a bit of Googling!

Ray

[Luis Campos]

Hi Ray,

There are some cheap and effective controllers in Ebay, here's an example:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Temperature-Controller-Thermoelectric-TE-Cooler-TEC-Peltier-Laser-Air-cooling-/121087048019?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c3159b953

If you add a PWM based LED dimmer you'll be abble to control the power feed to the TEC and this way control the cooling, this combo is what I use, and I'm no electronics expert so please correct me if this doesn't seem good

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-12V-8A-LED-Light-Strip-Dimmer-Adjustable-Brightness-Controller-Color-D1-/231105494327?pt=US_Lighting_Parts_and_Accessories&hash=item35cef5fd37

I've been using mine for quite some time now with very good results

Cheers,

Luís

[russellhq]

Hi Russ, I haven't got a clue what they are! I know what a pid controller is and I have read a little about ardinio but ardinio is something of a mystery to me!

Can you post a link? In the meantime I'll do a bit of Googling!

Ray

I didn't have a clue either before I started. I used the arduino website and forum, http://www.arduino.cc, to find out how it all works.

The tricky part for me was finding the right MOSFET. I ended up using this one:

http://www.bitsbox.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=140_151_154&products_id=1034

[Gina]

Good choice of power MOSFET - nice low on resistance.  No heatsink needed for current of several amps   I use IRFZ44N MOSFETs I got from ebay which also don't need a heatsink for this application.

[libraryman]

Hi guys n gals, thanks for the links, I am working my way albeit slowly to a cooled n debayerd 450d, I know that you guy,s get some credit for the posts and work that you do, my guess is that there are far more followers of Gina's and others posts than there are who comment on them so I'd just like to say thanks.

Ray