MTD415 - a low cost, RS232-controllable, bipolar 1,5A TEC controller-module

[Echo88]

As voltnuts we sometimes need very stable thermal conditions or want to test the TC of whatever component, so maybe the following is helpful for you guys:

In my search for a reasonable cost TEC controller i came across the MTD415-module, which is at the moment for sale at Thorlabs.
They are nifty little RS232-controllable +-1,5A bipolar TEC-drivers with onboard digital PID-controller.
So i bought one to test it (an MTD415T for 10k NTC sensors) and was satisfied with its stated performance. I achieved about 10mK stability (like advertised) in an less than optimal thermal setup.
Much better stability wont be achievable i think, because of the inherent low adc-resolution and the TEC-current resolution, but i might be wrong.

In comparison to the usual small bipolar TEC-drivers/controllers (LTC1923, ADN8831, Analog Technologies TEC controllers) this solution is, in my opinion, remarkable because of the simple PID-control: no resistors/caps to change while finding the perfect PID-parameters, just change the parameters of anything via RS232. With about 24€ its about as cheap as a LTC1923/ADN8831-solution (including the necessary pcb) and way cheaper than the controller from Analog Technologies. Of course the MTD415 cant temp-stabilise an object as good as the other aforementioned analog solutions, but most of the time one doesnt need 1mK stability.

Links:

https://www.thorlabs.de/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=10626
http://shop.analogtechnologies.com/TEC-Controllers_c6.htm

Im not affiliated with Thorlabs and just wanted to share my findings with you, maybe someone can use this module in an interesting project.

Greetings,

Echo

Edit: Added a photo of the interior. Datasheets for two recognized ICs:

https://www.diodes.com/assets/Datasheets/AUR9718B.pdf
https://www.silabs.com/documents/public/data-sheets/efm8bb2-datasheet.pdf

[Andreas]

Hello,

Photos of your setup?

Did you only measure the temperature sensor (directly at the TEC) or some components more far on the PCB?
But on the other side: a 5V 1.5A TEC is shurely only intended to cool single chips.

With best regards

Andreas

[Echo88]

I have already disassembled the structure; basically it was just a CPU-heatsink with fan, a suitable TEC and a about 100x80x10 mm aluminium block on top of the TEC, which was covered with paper to avoid air drafts. A 10k NTC sitting, thermally coupled with thermal paste, in a bore directly in the middle of the aluminium block was measuring the temperature.