Peltier Mini Fridge

[Shelnutt2]

So I just came into possession of a small filing cabinet, and was just going to store it. Then I had a crazy idea, why not make it into a mini fridge?
http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/979/48089797.th.png (http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/979/48089797.png)

What I am thinking is using one or more peltier (never worked with these so I'm not 100% sure what I'd need). How is the 69watt one from Sidewinder (http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/pemo3069w12v.html)? I didn't see any at jab-tech. I'm thinking I can just use one of my spare old psu's to power it. I have a couple 200 watt oldies.

As far as cooling the peltier, if it's just a 69watt one can't it be air cooled? If I through a tuniq tower (or whatever the latest HSF is) would that be enough? I'm looking for this to be mostly quite though. Also I was hoping for it to be mostly incognito, s perhaps a custom HSF, using a larger than 120mm fan and a copper plate?

I'll wrapped the filing cabinet with insulation (http://http://www.homedepot.com/Energy-Star/Building-Materials-Insulation/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xg3ZasbsZ1z141o3/R-100320295/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053), It's $10 for 31.25 square feet. I like this insulation because it's R30 compared to all the other insulation. If I can figure out how to remove the drawers of this filing cabinet, then I'll wrap the inside with the insulation and cut a small whole in the metal where the peltier(s) will fit.

The drawers themselves I'm thinking will be semi easy to put rubber around them to seal them when shut. I imagine I get get weatherstripping from the autopart store or find a local place that self rubber for fridge/freezer. Might even be able to go to a junkyard and find some.

Since I have the filing cabinet, I'm thinking total cost is peltier + insulation + rubber + HSF, $10 + $10 + $20 + $30 = $60 + shipping. I don't think that is too bad at all for a mini fridge inside a filing cabinet. What is your guys opinion on this? Am I thinking on the right track?

[EarthDog]

I cant imagine that small of a pelt would keep anything byt a low end dual core cool... Otherwise, you are at least pointing in the right direction.

[Shelnutt2]

I cant imagine that small of a pelt would keep anything byt a low end dual core cool... Otherwise, you are at least pointing in the right direction.

So then, should I have multiple 69watt peltiers or should I go with a 226watt? I read the problem with the 226watt ones is the heat produced air cooling is really out of the question?

[EarthDog]

And therein lies the crux of the pelt issue.. ;)

[Bobnova]

It'd keep an atom nice and chilly, or maybe a single core celeron. That's about it though, you need a beefier peltier for duals (maybe a 45w dual).

[Shelnutt2]

It'd keep an atom nice and chilly, or maybe a single core celeron. That's about it though, you need a beefier peltier for duals (maybe a 45w dual).

I don't think you (and now I think earthdog) understand what I meant. My goal is to make a mini fridge, where I can store food and drinks in. This in no way will be used for cooling any part of the computer (cpu/gpu). It's strictly a fridge. I know I know I posted in the extreme cooling section, but you guys are the peltier masters.;)

[EarthDog]

LOL, no I missed that part where this WOULDNT be used to cool a CPU. Did I suddenly warp to a HVAC site? haha!

Well on that, you lost me. Just buy a mini fridge for pete's sake. ;)

[Dapman02]

LOL, no I missed that part where this WOULDNT be used to cool a CPU. Did I suddenly warp to a HVAC site? haha!

Well on that, you lost me. Just buy a mini fridge for pete's sake. ;)

but a mini fridge would stick out an in office environment
this way you can have easy access to eatables and the boss will be none the wiser

[Bobnova]

That sounds much more reasonable!
Give a shot, you'll want lots of insulation, but i bet it'll work.
Any modern tower heatsink should be able to cope with 100-150w fine.

[Shelnutt2]

You think one peltier will be enough? Also would a passive U1/U2 hsf work? I saw this one (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835203003), I only point to that because it listed a max TDP of 95 watts. So if U bought a similar (cheaper) copper U1 and addd my own 120 mm silent fan you think that would work? I'd be great if I could get a HSF that instead of going vertical went horizontal, which is why i though of a u1 hsf.

[markp1989]

are you planing to have it thermostat controlled?

if not it mite end up getting too cold in there. lol

[Bobnova]

Those "passive" heatsinks live in a space with a ton of airflow, all the passive rating means is that the fan isn't bolted to the heatsink.
I think a 1U/2U heatsink for a 95-100w quad core could probably deal with a 68w peltier, but there is something to consider:
Peltiers provide a fairly stable temp drop from side to side, the colder you can get the hot side the colder the cold side will be. A 1U heatsink that keeps the hot side to 110*f will give cold side temps of 50*f to 60*f, a larger heatsink that holds the hot side to 90*f will give you a 30-40*f cold side.
Obviously the numbers above are not exact, but you get the idea. One degree colder on the hot side equals one degree colder on the cold side.