Coolers and the Peltier effect??

[larryinlc]

I've had my thermo electric cooler now for a week, and it works as intended. It works quite well actually. I've searched the internet, and the biggest complaint seems to be the sensor/temp controller doesn't register accurately. Mine is no different. An observation I've made however, is the objects inside the cooler seem noticeably cooler than the surrounding air temperature. My stand alone thermometer reflects this too. Cigars and liquid do seem cooler to the touch. Does anyone know how these things actually work? Do they cool the air, or do they cool objects within which in turn cools the air? Or, a little of both?

Larry

[RGD]

Well my take would be that it cools the air by convection. Air and surface temps are two different things. Liquids and solids will all have a different temp at any given air temp.

Ron

[opus]

They cool the air which is in turn circulated by a fan, no different than standard refrigeration in that respect. In the winter, the air doesn't feel near as cold as that flagpole does when you touch it, or get your tongue stuck to it.