Cup Cooler

A failed attempt at a peltier cup cooler.

Components

QTY Part Description Price
1 30A Current Sensor Module ACS712 $2
1 SMP60N06-14 SILICONIX N-CHANNEL $1
1 FT232RL 3.3V 5.5V FTDI USB to TTL Serial Adapter Module $5
1 Atmega328P Pro Mini Board $5
2 TMP36 TMP36GT9Z Low Voltage Temperature Sensor $2
1 6mm x 30mm F10AL250V FUSES 10A 250V  $1
1 AGC In Line Fuse Holder Screw Type fit 6x30mm $1
1 MAX7219 8-Digit 7 Segment Red Digital LED Display $6
3 Old salvaged CPU heat sinks Free

 

3D Printed Parts

Capture.PNG

QTY Image Part Description Download
1 arm.PNG Part for mounting CPU heat sinks to make contact with cup. cupConnectorRev12.stl.zip

 

Outcome

This project was doomed from the start but it was a good opportunity to experiment with Peltier plates, switching power with a FET, current sensors, temperature sensors, etc. The major flaws are listed below:

  • A very small contact zone between the cup and the cold side of the Peltier which makes for poor conduction.
  • Trying to cool a pint of water by cooling a small section of a metal cup. Since the water is not circulating and the contact patch is small, only water that is local to the patch would be cooled.
  • Terrible efficiency of Peltier. For similar input power a conventional refrigerator work be much more effective. To maintain efficiency the warm side must be cooled.

Source Code

cup_cooler_code.zip 
Note that the source code in the zip file above relies on the LedControl library.