Prompt 20 Report post Posted July 28, 2014 (edited) Hello, this is my new project of universal terrarium. I want to share my very positive experience with the construction of multi-purpose terrarium, all controlled by electronic thermostat. For the refrigerant I used a Peltier cell, for the warm part, we used a heating cable. For the walls of the terrarium I used extruded polystyrene panels and front with double sheet of plexiglass. I will update the topic step by step, to be lighter on the initial topic. My project schema : cool Warm cooling assembly diagram A) tank with pump B) water cooler C) cooling fan D) rubber tube E) Peltier cell block: peltier + heatsink + water block F) internal fan G) double glazing plexiglass H) polystyrene slab Prompt Edited July 28, 2014 by Prompt 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mobile 467 Report post Posted July 28, 2014 Sounds like an interesting setup. I don't think I would use the phrase energy-saving with regards to Peltier thermoelectric cooling though. From recollection they are approximately 1/4 the efficiency of a conventional compressor refrigerator. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Prompt 20 Report post Posted July 28, 2014 (edited) Peltier cells if properly dissipated, have an efficiency of 50-60%, this means that approximately 40-50% of the energy consumed is wasted. Now do not know the efficiency of a compressor type that used in refrigerators. The term energy savings, refers to the entire realization of the terrarium and not to the single cell Peltier. With 80 watts of consumption can refrigerate well a terrarium of 90 liters, reducing the temperature by more than 9 degrees Celsius, the equivalent of less than one watt per liter. To make understandable my project, I put the measurements done and reported on the graph. cool system Warm system By analyzing the performance of the chart, and taking as reference a range of 2 degrees, we can easily derive the phases on and off. Taking the reference of 17.5 degrees we can see the cooling phase that lasts about 40 minutes and the resting phase of 5 minutes. Certainly a compressor refrigerator with gas is more efficient, but also more noisy and cumbersome, not to mention the installation and the cost. However, my project is based on obtaining the maximum energy savings by using an electronic solid-state, with the least possible noise . Edited July 28, 2014 by Prompt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Prompt 20 Report post Posted August 16, 2014 Below the block sandwich, consisting of: Cold side heat sink cell peltier waterblock Prompt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Prompt 20 Report post Posted August 20, 2014 Zoom view internal cool system, group: peltier (hidden from polystyrene panel), heatsink, silent fan, basket lock (red element). The polystyrene panel is covered by an adhesive sheet mirror Large view in terrarium, group: peltier, heatsink, silent fan Prompt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Prompt 20 Report post Posted August 21, 2014 (edited) Here is the cool devices, since the outer side, the components are all of the highest quality, this choice allows you to have a background noise imperceptible and flawless operation. The choice of components was long and laborious, the cost of the components is not negligible, around 150 euro. Consumption when turned on is about 80 watts and if the terrarium is well insulated it is possible to determine the power consumption per liter, for this project is approximately 0.89 watts per liter. Edited August 21, 2014 by Prompt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Prompt 20 Report post Posted August 21, 2014 (edited) an overview of the prototype Prompt Edited August 21, 2014 by Prompt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pmatil 21 Report post Posted August 22, 2014 Looks really good and tidy system. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mobile 467 Report post Posted August 22, 2014 This is turning out to look like a very nice and interesting project Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CephFan 112 Report post Posted August 22, 2014 Nice piece of engineering Prompt. Not done on the cheap but it is a proper liquid cooled system. Cheers, Steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
North West Neps 645 Report post Posted August 22, 2014 Very impressive project, i shall be following this with interest, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rosolis76 18 Report post Posted August 31, 2014 Hi, I am also really interested in this project. Thank you again for sharing... Regards, Damien Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gubbtjuven 0 Report post Posted September 4, 2014 Very nice setup! I'v been thinking about constructing a similar one for some time. How does the thermostat works in your setup, and how do you monitor it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Prompt 20 Report post Posted September 11, 2014 Hello Gubbtjuven, For the thermostat, follow the link: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Shipping-Universal-Automatic-Digital-Temperature-Controller-Thermostat-220V-Control-Switch-TK0127/1713222875.html I connected the thermostat on the green wire (power) of the power supply, see figure: When the green wire is connected to ground, the power supply is turned on, when the green wire is disconnected from the ground, the power supply shuts down. Prompt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
