Juice to a 172W peltier....

[trenchypost]

Will a 400W PSU be sufficient for a 172W peltier? any theories on this?
And BTW, how do you guys power up your water pumps? Suppose they need 110V/220V AC, so the PSU is ruled out. Do you keep the pump running 24/7?

[Diggrr]

First you need to look at the power draw for the TEC. The 172 watt rating refers to how much heat it will pump from the cold to the hot side, not how much power it requires to run...this number is usually higher. If your seller doesn't know the difference, then I'd think about buying somewhere else because you'll get little help from them.

Secondly, you'll have to compare those numbers with the data tag on the psu. "400 watts" doesn't mean all that much, you'll need to know the amperage it's rated for on the 12 volt line. If the TEC draws 15 amps, you'll need 20 from the psu for safety factor. It'll run cooler (the psu), and live longer.

Lastly, once you pass 200 watts of (real world) power draw, I'd start looking for a good dedicated power supply that's meant for the job. That's rough on a psu, and one problem and it's bye-bye t-bird!
There are hundreds that have used computer power supplies without a problem, but this is just my advice. You may or may not have any problems.

Hope this helps you on your way!

[Obayme2]

yes u need to look at the 12v line see how many amps its puts off u need at least 20 amps or more . or u can just get a 300 wat with 17 amps and use that just for the pelt u can connect the green wire and an black wire to make th psu work without a comp

i got a 226 watt pelt and i need at 530 watt psu cuss my pelt need a 24 apms and that 530 gives off 24 and max or 28 apms

remeber look on the 12 v line check around for websites that tell u how many apms it puts of Enermax psu are the best for pelts

so i need to psu i have a 500 wat but it only does 16 amps more than enough for my comp but i plug say a 172 watt or more ihave enough watts but not enough amps so my comp uses about 5 amps an the 172 watt needs 17 and my psu puts on 16 do the math ur pelt will be majorly under powerd and it wont work worth a damm so ur gann need another psu to power the pelt or a find a good psu that puts of 20 amps or more here

www.crazypc.com that 530 watt psu enermax is what im getting it puts off 24 apms and 28 max thatll be perfect for ur comp and pelt all together :)

[Obayme2]

sorry about my spelling its amps not apms heh im feeling kinda dizzy for some reason cant think straight