oops - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: larrybl
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2020, 10:17:21 pm
content: Son brought this home and decided to see if it works, from his description (I didn't get to see it) but when he plugged it in it belched smoke and fire. I think I know why.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2020, 10:30:51 pm
content: People who specify mains connectors for low voltage devices should be summarily fired and never be allowed to design electrical items again!

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2020, 10:45:34 pm
content: oops is right!Is/are the Peltier device(s) fried?

author: larrybl
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2020, 10:58:41 pm
content: Haven't checked it or the fan. based on the date I expect those to be worn out, and I have no real use for them.

author: 0culus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2020, 11:10:17 pm
content: What even is this thing?

author: larrybl
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2020, 11:12:53 pm
content: 12 Volt portable refrigerator.

author: KMoffett
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2020, 11:18:31 pm
content: I have one of those mini fridges. Normally the come with a cigarette lighter plug. It says on the back that it expects 12vDC. Odd that the connector is a standard AC line power one. My guess is that that original owner thought they were being nice by providing a "compatible" cord.

author: KMoffett
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2020, 11:19:24 pm
content: I have one of those mini fridges. Normally the come with a cigarette lighter plug. It says on the back that it expects 9-12vDC. Odd that the connector is a standard AC line power one. My guess is that that original owner thought they were being nice by providing a "compatible" cord.

author: larrybl
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2020, 11:38:39 pm
content: It was a free be, so this is as far as I am going with it, straight to the trash.

author: Syntax Error
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2020, 11:53:51 pm
content: Yes, that power cord was a nice snug fit. Save the fan as that might still be okay, then dumpsterize it.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2020, 11:59:53 pm
content: It's surprisingly, shockingly you might say, common to see those connectors in RV application.Tim

author: larrybl
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2020, 12:12:15 am
content: Might try and do something (storage) with the case.

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2020, 04:00:25 am
content: It probably is just a simple design based on a Peltier TEC. Likely doesn't even have any regulation.You might check to see if the Peltier is still functioning.The Hot/Cold switch probably just uses the diode bridge to control which way current flows through the Peltier... could be an fun educational opportunity for your son.

author: GeorgeOfTheJungle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2020, 09:33:54 am
content: Quote from: larrybl on July 27, 2020, 11:12:53 pmNo no, it's an oven.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2020, 09:57:09 am
content: Quote from: GeorgeOfTheJungle on July 28, 2020, 09:33:54 amNonsense. It’s clearly a smoker!

author: KMoffett
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2020, 04:27:48 pm
content: After you check out components on the PCB, and want to power it up with 12vdc...

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2020, 05:10:56 pm
content: A couple of years ago I saw a cheap device for sale that looked like a sort of strange, bulky necklace/collar and inside it had a peltier device (it might have even had two) a heatsink, and a fan. It was for cooling off in the summer. it worked by conducting the heat/"coolness" from your body to the air.. the small peltier devices to the sides of your neck by thermal conduction. They pressed against the side of the person's neck. It didnt work that well when I saw it because the rechargeable batteries it ran on were nearly dead. But given enough power (peltier devices are fairly power hungry) it might be a different story.Anyway, I have always wanted to see if something like that might work well enough to use.