Help: powering two16.1a 156W 15.8v pelts...
 

I just don't know how to set this up. I've got 2 TB-127-2.0-1.15 pelts, and I'm really not too sure about how to wire them up. I was thinking of maybe using a rheostat to control both, or one for each, but I'm afraid my knowledge of electronics here is a bit lacking...

You're going to need quite a rheostat for that sort of current...
A better option is a variable power supply, just drop voltage for less cooling

OK, variable power supply... up to at least 16v... and 16 or 17 amps.... right?

I'm not sure but i heard that u can use a dimmer switch on a power supplys ac input and control it that way,anyone know? :)

NO!

Dimmers are bad. They **** up the sinewave signal of the AC which isn't a good thing for almost every type of electronics.

if you are running ac through a transformer to drop the volts before u rectifier ac to dc, won't the ac volt drop carry over to the dc output? i could see on a p/s that uses a voltage regulator "filtered" and all that, it would not functoin right but on a simple transformer/rectifier shouldn't it work ? :)

uhhhhh, what? :confused:

I may have found a solution- am AC-DC converter wit hnormal 120VAC input, but a single DC output 15v@16 amps. I know that's running at pretty much Vmax. Maybe some sort of resistor could bring that 15v down to 12v or 13v, which is about 80% Vmax. Wait, don't resistors only lower current (amperes?) Ugh, what am I gonna do...

No a transformer needs a sinewave signal, otherwise it won't work very well. A dimmer doesn't lower AC voltage, but... well something else I can't explain in English. But believe me: it won't work.

your best bet is a DC voltage regulator with a variable output. If you use a switching regulator you won't generate too much heat, otherwise you'll just have to dissipate it.

If the 156w Pelts are the ones on dangerden that your using. They are rate at vmax of 15.8v and 16 amps. Youll probly be running them at 80% vmax so thats around 13volts.

So as i mentioned in the other thread. You may want to check out: http://mpja.com/product.asp?product=12640+PS

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At $160 per power supply it isnt cheap but is the solution ill be going with for that particular TEC. Btw, you can adjust from 0-15volts which means youll be able to find the sweet spot for the TEC.

I got a solution!

from ETA-POWER 1-800-ETA-POWR
a unit, 12v@16A, 2 outputs, one for each TEC. You think that would work?

Are both outputs rated at 12V 16A? Or is the complete PSU rated at 16A? In that case it doesn't have enough power.

And is the 16A the peak power or continious power? If it's the first you probably have a little problem...

You could also check out auto supply stores. I found a 12V 50A supply for $50 at one yesterday. For a linear supply, that's damn good. You'll get cleaner output from a linear, too!

Yea, it's 12v@16A on both outputs.