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Step 16Test Everything with Container Attached / Troubleshooting
Plug both power supplies in.
The bottom of the container should get very could within several minutes minutes.
If you have a thermometer - hopefully it reads -14f or better! (Don't worry if the entire surface doesn't read this cold.)
If so - your cloud chamber is now ready for use!
If you aren't getting this cold:
- Don't place too much faith in your thermometer - if you're getting significantly below 0f - it may make sense to proceed and see if things work
- This article originally suggested Tec1-12709's top and bottom - this will work - but using a Tec1-12710 on the bottom works better. If you're using two Tec1-12709's and having poor results - you may want to switch out the bottom one with the CP1-12710.
- Check your thermal paste application - this is probably the most common issue. The layers between the peltiers and the heatsink should be thin. The final layer between the top peltier and the chamber may need to be fairly thick to make good contact. As a last resort - you may find that removing all thermal paste using alcohol - and then re-applying solves the issue.
- Are the peltier coolers and container all centered over the middle of the heatsink?
- Is your heatsink getting even a little warm? If so - it may not be good enough.
- If your heatsink is getting warm - one option is to remove the fan - and place it in a container of cold water (maybe even with ice). This will provide extremely effective cooling - at least until the water warms up.
- Verify your electrical connections are good (warm wires indicate they are too thin).
- Try applying a small amount of weight / pressure to the top of the chamber - this might help close up any gaps in the thermal paste.
- Re-test the peltiers. You can also check them against their specified resistance values using your multimeter (they shouldn't read any higher than 4 ohms).
- Try waiting a few hours - some thermal pastes will "set up" and become more conductive over time
The bottom of the container should get very could within several minutes minutes.
If you have a thermometer - hopefully it reads -14f or better! (Don't worry if the entire surface doesn't read this cold.)
If so - your cloud chamber is now ready for use!
If you aren't getting this cold:
- Don't place too much faith in your thermometer - if you're getting significantly below 0f - it may make sense to proceed and see if things work
- This article originally suggested Tec1-12709's top and bottom - this will work - but using a Tec1-12710 on the bottom works better. If you're using two Tec1-12709's and having poor results - you may want to switch out the bottom one with the CP1-12710.
- Check your thermal paste application - this is probably the most common issue. The layers between the peltiers and the heatsink should be thin. The final layer between the top peltier and the chamber may need to be fairly thick to make good contact. As a last resort - you may find that removing all thermal paste using alcohol - and then re-applying solves the issue.
- Are the peltier coolers and container all centered over the middle of the heatsink?
- Is your heatsink getting even a little warm? If so - it may not be good enough.
- If your heatsink is getting warm - one option is to remove the fan - and place it in a container of cold water (maybe even with ice). This will provide extremely effective cooling - at least until the water warms up.
- Verify your electrical connections are good (warm wires indicate they are too thin).
- Try applying a small amount of weight / pressure to the top of the chamber - this might help close up any gaps in the thermal paste.
- Re-test the peltiers. You can also check them against their specified resistance values using your multimeter (they shouldn't read any higher than 4 ohms).
- Try waiting a few hours - some thermal pastes will "set up" and become more conductive over time
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