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Will my Enermax 431w push my system and my 156w pelt?
- Thread starter krag
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2000
- Location
- Sheboygan, Wisconsin
I don't think so.
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2002
- Location
- Coeur d'Alene (North Idaho)
Most 156 Watt pelts draw around 18 amps. The 12 volt on the 431 is only rated for 20 Amps(If you have the good version). So unless you can power the rest of your system's stuff with 2 amps(can't be done) it really won't work out.
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- Joined
- Feb 12, 2001
- Location
- Fayetteville, AR
just get a generic 200 watt PS to power the Pelt, and run it outside the Case or mount it somehow depending on room
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2001
- Location
- Land of OZ
dont get a 200w computer power supply.
you need a power supply designed to run at the voltage of the pelt, not a computer psu that is designed to run multiple voltages.
computer psu's wattage gets split up between the 5v, 3.3v, and 12v lines... you WILL NOT be able to use the full wattage on any one rail, but must look at the PSU to determine how much you can use for the particular voltage.
what is the voltage and amperage of your pelt?
you should determine the PSU you need by figuring out how much amps are needed and on what particular voltage.
a 156w pelt isn't going to draw 156w, it's probably going to drawing over 200w off the 12v line (according to darrenct's statement that it runs at 18 amps, and hooking it up to a 12v line). also note, some pelts run at different voltages, so you might even have to get a 15v psu or something like that.
hope this helps.
you need a power supply designed to run at the voltage of the pelt, not a computer psu that is designed to run multiple voltages.
computer psu's wattage gets split up between the 5v, 3.3v, and 12v lines... you WILL NOT be able to use the full wattage on any one rail, but must look at the PSU to determine how much you can use for the particular voltage.
what is the voltage and amperage of your pelt?
you should determine the PSU you need by figuring out how much amps are needed and on what particular voltage.
a 156w pelt isn't going to draw 156w, it's probably going to drawing over 200w off the 12v line (according to darrenct's statement that it runs at 18 amps, and hooking it up to a 12v line). also note, some pelts run at different voltages, so you might even have to get a 15v psu or something like that.
hope this helps.
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2000
Don't get the 200 watt to run it from. Even most 250 watt PSUs only put out 8 amps on the 12v line.
The TE Distributing 156 watt peltiers only use 16 amps instead of the usual 18 amps. If you are running it around 12v it will be using up about 13 amps from your 12v line. Peltiers also run more efficiently at a voltage lower than what they are rated. 12-13v is ideal for a 16v peltier. Amperage is what you should be concerned about. You can try to run one of these on your current psu but you may not get the best of results simply because it isn't a very powerfull pelt for an XP. Try the pelt with your current setup be be warned your psu will be under a lot of stress. Just like CPUs, if you keep the PSU cool it will be more stable and last longer.
The TE Distributing 156 watt peltiers only use 16 amps instead of the usual 18 amps. If you are running it around 12v it will be using up about 13 amps from your 12v line. Peltiers also run more efficiently at a voltage lower than what they are rated. 12-13v is ideal for a 16v peltier. Amperage is what you should be concerned about. You can try to run one of these on your current psu but you may not get the best of results simply because it isn't a very powerfull pelt for an XP. Try the pelt with your current setup be be warned your psu will be under a lot of stress. Just like CPUs, if you keep the PSU cool it will be more stable and last longer.
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- Joined
- Feb 23, 2002
do what SteenkyBastage said.
Get a powersupply that has the correct output that matches the peltier that u got...
when u go out to buy a powersupply for your computer dont u check to make sure that its p4 or athlon compatible? Or how about when u build a water cooler, do u get 1/2 inch tubing for a 3/8 inch spec waterblock? Well make sure u get a peltier compatible powersupply... otherwise your either going to not get enough juice to the pelt and risk frying your system or you might overload the pelt with amps, watts, whatever, with more than its design specs, fry it, and then ur system will go next.
Get a powersupply that has the correct output that matches the peltier that u got...
when u go out to buy a powersupply for your computer dont u check to make sure that its p4 or athlon compatible? Or how about when u build a water cooler, do u get 1/2 inch tubing for a 3/8 inch spec waterblock? Well make sure u get a peltier compatible powersupply... otherwise your either going to not get enough juice to the pelt and risk frying your system or you might overload the pelt with amps, watts, whatever, with more than its design specs, fry it, and then ur system will go next.
OP
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2002
- Thread Starter
- #10
I just called the Leufkin Technologies which is where I ordered the peltier and Watercooler. I asked them if my 431w enermax psu would power my system and my pelt. They said I had a good powersupply and not to worry it would definately power both. What do you think? Has anybody hosed thier system with a 431w psu & 156w pelt?
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2000
It will run it but its a big strain on the PSU in the long run. I would go for it and see how it fairs. If you keep your cpu at a reasonable voltage the 156 should be ok. Dont expect sub zero load temperatures but you will be better off than only water.
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2000
By the way get the TE distributing peltier from Dangerden.com since it uses 2.4 amps less current due to its efficiency.
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2000
No the 156 won't be enough with any amount of power to cool below sub zero temps. You need something like a 226 for really chilly temps. Although the Athlon XPs put out a little less heat so you might be a little better off. I'm guessing you will get temps in the teens or twenties. Anyone have a better guess? I don't have the wattage for overclocked XPs handy.
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2000
Sorry thats celcius.
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2000
The delta t max means the peltier is capable of 69c below ambient. The load your cpu generates will cause it to be less than 69c though. You still should use something for condensation since idle temps will be lower. Give the peltier a try and see how it works out. You will still get a very nice drop in temps.
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2002
- Location
- Coeur d'Alene (North Idaho)
Here is an excellent front page artical that explains all the details of how to figure out peltier performance. I'd recommend reading it.
About the PSU... The people at the peltier place either:
A) Don't know what they're talking about
B) Will lie to sell the pelt.
Like I said before, that pelt draws nearly all the power you have available on the 12 volt rail. Just your drives and fans are enought to add the extra to bring you in to the low power zone if you are using that pelt. This will cause a lot of instabillity issues. I'm sure it would be fairly hard on your drives as well.
About the PSU... The people at the peltier place either:
A) Don't know what they're talking about
B) Will lie to sell the pelt.
Like I said before, that pelt draws nearly all the power you have available on the 12 volt rail. Just your drives and fans are enought to add the extra to bring you in to the low power zone if you are using that pelt. This will cause a lot of instabillity issues. I'm sure it would be fairly hard on your drives as well.
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2000
I think the PSU will be able to handle it but for how long I have no idea.
Peltiers run most efficiently at 75% of thair rated voltage. A 156 watt pelt (TE dist brand) will then take 12 amps at 12v making it a 117 watt peltier in effect. Using the formula for a 60, 80 and 100 watt heat load here is what I get.
60 watt heat load = 33.6c difference
80 watt heat load = 21.6c difference
100 watt heat load = 10.0c difference
This is still very basic but it gives you something to go on. If your generating 60-80 watts of heat its probably a good idea to go with the peltier. The worst thing you can do is give it a try. I'm planning on trying a 156 with a good atx psu on my p4 sometime soon. I really want an Enermax 510 since it has almost 30 amps on the 12v line but I'll try my PP-412 with 18 amps and see how it goes.
Peltiers run most efficiently at 75% of thair rated voltage. A 156 watt pelt (TE dist brand) will then take 12 amps at 12v making it a 117 watt peltier in effect. Using the formula for a 60, 80 and 100 watt heat load here is what I get.
60 watt heat load = 33.6c difference
80 watt heat load = 21.6c difference
100 watt heat load = 10.0c difference
This is still very basic but it gives you something to go on. If your generating 60-80 watts of heat its probably a good idea to go with the peltier. The worst thing you can do is give it a try. I'm planning on trying a 156 with a good atx psu on my p4 sometime soon. I really want an Enermax 510 since it has almost 30 amps on the 12v line but I'll try my PP-412 with 18 amps and see how it goes.
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