using a thermoelectric cooler for High powered LEDs
Has anyone tried using a thermoelectric cooler, like this one http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?item=PJT-7
to cool down a high powered LED star. I am considering mounting one on the back of a new Luxeon Rebel
I plan on ramping the current up to max (1 amp) on the led, and run the Thermoelectric cooler (TEC) as high as possible off a lead-acid battery. Strap a giant heat sink on it (maybe a fan too) plus thermal and silicone over the whole thing. It wouldn't be pretty, but it would be a neat experiment on how many lumens you could crank out of one of these things. Any inputs, suggestions, Ideas? Feel free to make an instructale on this if you want, I can't guarantee I will do it anytime soon.
to cool down a high powered LED star. I am considering mounting one on the back of a new Luxeon Rebel
I plan on ramping the current up to max (1 amp) on the led, and run the Thermoelectric cooler (TEC) as high as possible off a lead-acid battery. Strap a giant heat sink on it (maybe a fan too) plus thermal and silicone over the whole thing. It wouldn't be pretty, but it would be a neat experiment on how many lumens you could crank out of one of these things. Any inputs, suggestions, Ideas? Feel free to make an instructale on this if you want, I can't guarantee I will do it anytime soon.
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Oct 11, 2011. 11:34 PMyohanc777
says:
i have used 50 watt and 100 watt led .junction temp and complete fitting area is well below 80 deg celcius,checked with infrared thermometre and cooled them with easy common sense.No dry ice ,liquid nitrogen(look ma no fingers left) or ammonia,or freon cooling methods required.
Sep 14, 2007. 7:27 AMgyromild
says:
Thanks to nachomahma for bringing it up. Extreme overclockers use dry ice or liquid nitrogen for cooling. However thats a bit of an overkill. I would suggest trying off-the-shelf PC water cooling kits.
I you're a bit adventurous, building them yourself won't be too difficult (rubber tubings, water-block, aquarium water pump, thermal compound, perhaps use radiator coolant).
This article should give you some ideas
Cheers
I you're a bit adventurous, building them yourself won't be too difficult (rubber tubings, water-block, aquarium water pump, thermal compound, perhaps use radiator coolant).
This article should give you some ideas
Cheers
. You didn't use the word Peltier, so I'll suggest searching for things like Peltier junction and Peltier cooler.
. This is a not uncommon technique used by overclockers and modders, check some of those sites.
. About 8 years ago, I found a few, with heatsinks attached, that were meant for old "two-piece" Macs and played around with them. IIRC, I only paid 10$US for a three-pack. A similar unit for a modern CPU should be able to handle whatever an LED can put out, especially with a good fan on the heatsink.
. I think it would be much easier just to add LEDs for more lumens, but it sounds like a cool experiment. And I don't care if anybody likes the pun or not. :) I'd try to find some kind of "light meter" to see just how much you can get out of one. If you have the $$/time/interest, run some tests and see how far you can push one and still get a few hours/days of life.
. From what I've read, condensation can be a problem, but not something that can't be overcome fairly easily.
. Didn't really tell you much, but maybe it will point you in the right direction.
. This is a not uncommon technique used by overclockers and modders, check some of those sites.
. About 8 years ago, I found a few, with heatsinks attached, that were meant for old "two-piece" Macs and played around with them. IIRC, I only paid 10$US for a three-pack. A similar unit for a modern CPU should be able to handle whatever an LED can put out, especially with a good fan on the heatsink.
. I think it would be much easier just to add LEDs for more lumens, but it sounds like a cool experiment. And I don't care if anybody likes the pun or not. :) I'd try to find some kind of "light meter" to see just how much you can get out of one. If you have the $$/time/interest, run some tests and see how far you can push one and still get a few hours/days of life.
. From what I've read, condensation can be a problem, but not something that can't be overcome fairly easily.
. Didn't really tell you much, but maybe it will point you in the right direction.
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