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TECs work, but are not very efficient. The traditional vapor compression cycle which A/C systems use is more efficient. He is certainly right that its more expensive and complex though.
He also says that the A/C system robs engine power, but he doesn't address the fact that his electric coolers are running off the car's battery... There is a net loss here due to the lower efficiency of the TECs plus the efficiency hit from the alternator. If you had a large enough battery, and an alternator delete, you could do this and improve your fuel economy while retaining A/C. However, his system was very underpowered compared to a traditional A/C system that can cool a car in a couple minutes. |
Why not run it in the other direction? Peltier Coolers can generate small amounts of electricity through heat absorbtion-not enough to power a compressor unless you flood your engine bay with them at an impractical cost in money and space, BUT a few coolers would be more than enough to trigger some vent fans in the passenger compartment, with an 'off; switch that would shunt the current to a few hidden LEDs just to allow the Peltiers to continue working...
What about a few coolers for the passenger fans, a few more for the radiator fan...two self-regulating, self-powered systems working independently from the main harness, cutting parastic load...which let's you use a normal AC with more efficiency IF you want to... I don't have the spare cash to try it on my trusty Red Menace (1993 Ford Festiva)-also, I have no AC and never felt the need for one. :D Any of the more Tech-minded members want to crunch some numbers/grab some voltmeters and see if it might be worthwhile? |
i got to thinking about using them to cool closed radiator/reservoir cold suit. will still need the parts listed but add tubing. run 4 peltiers and bet it would freeze.
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Save your money and get a variable speed compressor instead. I've used peltiers in the past but efficiency is tremendously low. Wer're talking 500btu for roughly the same power consumption as a compressor capable to do 6000btu.
Regarding car air conditioner you wont believe this but half the power is drawn by the electric fans. On my VW they use 60Amps on full speed. Compara this to about 100W (9A at 12V) for a 12.000btu window air con (60W external fan + 30W internal fan) Improving the condenser design and adding brushless fans would cut consumption significantly. |
A VW Passat Diesel. Small Petrol variants have a smaller alternator and compressor altogether. Generally 70A stock, 90A hatchback and 120A Diesel. But the figure should still go to 30A+ for both fans at full speed.
R12 models generally had smaller condensers as well. Which gas does your metro use? |
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