Thermotek Chillers Exposed! (TEC Question)

[300EVIL]

After looking at your PS I see they are very similiar just a different layout, the 3 twisted pair is the same obviously our control of the PS.
The output on my PS is wide open nothing,an occasional glitch on the o-scope when contacts close or open,

Yeah, I'd pull the FET's and test them. Don't forget the big diodes too. Shouldn't take more than an hour to check.

[Lasernerd]

Yeah, I'd pull the FET's and test them. Don't forget the big diodes too. Shouldn't take more than an hour to check.

3 big FET's 800 Volt 20 Amps! IXFK20N80Q
it also has a FRED

[300EVIL]

3 big FET's 800 Volt 20 Amps!
it also has a FRED

They are not that hard to test. Did you see the link I posted a few posts back? What is FRED? I'm unfamiliar with that term.

[Lasernerd]

They are not that hard to test. Did you see the link I posted a few posts back? What is FRED? I'm unfamiliar with that term.

Yes ,thanks for the link.
I need to set up a test bench.


http://ixdev.ixys.com/DataSheet/L236.pdf

I have used these in other apps.

[300EVIL]

Yes ,thanks for the link.
I need to set up a test bench.


http://ixdev.ixys.com/DataSheet/L236.pdf

I have used these in other apps.

Ah, Okay Thanks!

[300EVIL]

Well I finally concluded that the 10 TEC's inside the unit were 45W each with an Imax of 5A. So I found a set of 10 45W TEC's on ebay for $65 with an Imax of 3A. Obviously more efficient. Nothing wrong with that! So, I just received the new TEC's last night and proceeded to put the ThermoTek chiller back together again.

Here are some pics of the rebuild.









I chose not to insulate the heat exchanger with foam due to the PITA it is to remove if their is a problem. I'm not planning on running it in a humid environment anyway.





SUCCESS!!





After a good burn in, I conclude the unit now works just fine. It will drop the water from 25C to 4C in about 10 minutes and will go from 4C to 30C in about 15 minutes. It's very stable and very efficient. Even more efficient now with the upgraded TEC's.

Now it's time to put this bad boy to work! Coming soon....

[Anthony]

adam..... nice work!!!!!!!!!

[300EVIL]

adam..... nice work!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Anthony!

I always like fixing things.

Anybody know what they mean by "Gradient" on this chiller. In the menu their is "Set Temp" and "Gradient". I obviously know what the set temp is for but what does gradient do? It's set for 60C right now and is adjustable from 5C - 60C.

[Anthony]

normally gradient is a smooth transfer from one form to another.
Maybe is like TTL vs ANALOG...

Is there no documentation available for this unit?

[300EVIL]

normally gradient is a smooth transfer from one form to another.
Maybe is like TTL vs ANALOG...

Is there no documentation available for this unit?

I was thinking something along those lines but I'm unsure. I called ThermoTek and they said the only instructions are what's on the back panel and they are very limited. No explanation of gradient.