I had a useless peltier cooling/heating Thermoelectric plate from adafruit hanging in my stuff so I took it for this project in order to make a heating pouch/belt for my back during the cold winter we have in Quebec.

The circuit takes nearly 15 minutes to make, the longest part that took me a couple of days to figure out was the the layout of everything, and the sewing..OMG the sewing... But in the end it was worth it! I'm super happy with my mini heating belt.

To power this peltier, you're supposed to use 12v adapter with 5 amp ( laptop cables) for it to be optimal. But this 4.8v battery (1.2V/ 1200mAh) power seems enough to power it.

Materials :

-Extra mini wires
-Peltier thermoelectric cooler/heater from adafruit.com
-460 ohm resistor x1
-1 Red Led
-On/off switch
-4 aa rechargeable batteries
-4 aa battery socket

-Altoids box (thanks to the DIY Gods)
-1 jumbo package of braided elastic (the black ribbon)
-1 package of velcro strips
-Hot glue gun
-Welding iron
-Black spray paint
-Sewing machine Kit

-Aluminum unmountable hobby box

Step 1: Unmount Your Peltier's Fan

Step 2: Screw Your Peltier Against Your Plate

1) Take an unmountable hobby box made from aluminum that you can find in electronics stores and unmount one side. You're left with plate. The goal is to put the peliter element on the plate to make a bigger surface of heating.

2) Allign the Peltier correctly with the plate

3) Make holes inside the plate proper to the size of your Bolts and based on the holes that are already in the peltier.

4) Make a countersink using a bigger drill bit (push just to let enough space for the flush screws)

5) Assemble the 2 components

Step 3: Thank the DIY Gods for the Altoids Boxes

Make holes and cut with a dremel on the side and under the box

Step 4: Sewing Part 1

Step 5: Wielding and Gluing the Circuit

THE SECOND PICTURE IS JUST TO SHOW YOU HOW THE CIRCUIT MUST LOOK. You must pass the peltier wire in the battery box before hand and THEN solder everything. Same goes with the switch that you have to push in the battery box before you solder. As for the Led, it doesn't matter.

Keep in mind that if you want everything to look nice and snug, you have to pass the wires in the hole of the peltier bag and the hole of the Altoids box.

Step 6: Sewing Part 2

Attach the battery case to the belt with Crazy Glue (yes it sticks really well together).

And then sew another braided strain around the wires of the belt to hide them.