Hi all,
I'm a graduate student currently working on the neurobiology of addiction and pain, with an interest in the design of a novel thermal gradient ring that can be controlled between -5 degrees C and 60 degrees C (see the first attachment). Unfortunately, I'm definitely a novice when it comes to electrical design however I have a basic schematic of how I would like to power this device (see attachment 2). Essentially the device is a circular aluminum ring with 12 thermally isolate zones, each with a Peltier thermoelectric conducting (TEC) module underneath. I've talked to a few companies and my mentor, the current problem is I'm not sure how much power to give the TEC. I'm attaching the data specifics of the TEC, they are rated for Vmax 16V, I max 8.1 A, so I was thinking to power each one I would use a 15V/7A PSU (datasheet also attached).
I was going to run from the battery a positive parallel lead into the solid state relay, and from there attach the TEC. My question is do I need a voltage regulator between the solid state relay and the TEC? Or should I use some sort of buck converter/step down regulator? Essentially the TECs are powered on by the solid state relay from the company phidgets. I was going to pulse-width modulate the TECs by having thermocouplers registering the temperature in real time and the phidgets interface, control the switching on and off of the solid state relay. I'm just unsure of 1) if I need to regulate the voltage going into the TEC and 2) if this design is appropriate. Phidgets says that this can all be controlled via their VINT hub which would have the solid state relay, and the thermocouplers attached.
The reason why we are doing this is that I reached out to a company and they quoted me at $30,000 to build this but the parts I've put together it only costs roughly $1000 dollars. This device would open huge doors in the field of neuroscience by allowing us to measure thermal thresholds and tolerance in a multitude of paradigms. My sincerest apologies if I didn't explain something correctly, I'm kinda just learning as I go and this is definitely not my field. I tried searching on here for people using TECs but they are typically in refridgeration applications that don't apply and are a bit over my head. Any guidance is appreciated and I thank you all very much!
I'm a graduate student currently working on the neurobiology of addiction and pain, with an interest in the design of a novel thermal gradient ring that can be controlled between -5 degrees C and 60 degrees C (see the first attachment). Unfortunately, I'm definitely a novice when it comes to electrical design however I have a basic schematic of how I would like to power this device (see attachment 2). Essentially the device is a circular aluminum ring with 12 thermally isolate zones, each with a Peltier thermoelectric conducting (TEC) module underneath. I've talked to a few companies and my mentor, the current problem is I'm not sure how much power to give the TEC. I'm attaching the data specifics of the TEC, they are rated for Vmax 16V, I max 8.1 A, so I was thinking to power each one I would use a 15V/7A PSU (datasheet also attached).
I was going to run from the battery a positive parallel lead into the solid state relay, and from there attach the TEC. My question is do I need a voltage regulator between the solid state relay and the TEC? Or should I use some sort of buck converter/step down regulator? Essentially the TECs are powered on by the solid state relay from the company phidgets. I was going to pulse-width modulate the TECs by having thermocouplers registering the temperature in real time and the phidgets interface, control the switching on and off of the solid state relay. I'm just unsure of 1) if I need to regulate the voltage going into the TEC and 2) if this design is appropriate. Phidgets says that this can all be controlled via their VINT hub which would have the solid state relay, and the thermocouplers attached.
The reason why we are doing this is that I reached out to a company and they quoted me at $30,000 to build this but the parts I've put together it only costs roughly $1000 dollars. This device would open huge doors in the field of neuroscience by allowing us to measure thermal thresholds and tolerance in a multitude of paradigms. My sincerest apologies if I didn't explain something correctly, I'm kinda just learning as I go and this is definitely not my field. I tried searching on here for people using TECs but they are typically in refridgeration applications that don't apply and are a bit over my head. Any guidance is appreciated and I thank you all very much!
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