TEC and LuxeonV

hawkeye

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Dec 5, 2004
Messages
14
Location
Hillsboro, OR
Has anyone contemplated putting a Thermoelectric Cooler on the backside of the heatsink for a LuxV? Wouldn't the 5-7W difference create a DC voltage on the output of the TEC? Could this potential also be used to bias an LMO current- regulator circuit?

...Is caffeine really a suitable substitute for sleep?
 

OddOne

Enlightened
Joined
Mar 5, 2003
Messages
495
Using a TEC as a generator isn't a good idea since the efficiency is so low - TECs are usually 30-35% efficient at best. A TEC does produce voltage when its sides are at different temps, but the impedance is so high that you won't get any appreciable current.

oO, who used to run TEC/water cooling on his computer...
 

evan9162

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Apr 18, 2002
Messages
2,639
Location
Boise, ID
To get any usable power from a TEC, you need a high temperature differential between the hot and cold side.

The purpose of a heat sink is to keep the heat generating device as close to ambient temperature as possible. Thus, the purpose of attaching a luxeon to a heat sink is to keep it as cool as possible.

These two goals are in conflict with each other.

Thus, attaching a TEC to a Luxeon V in hopes of generating power is simply asking to cause premature heat failure of the LED while generating a miniscule amount of power.
 
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