Supercool help

[KayZee]

I inherited a Supercool (12v fridge) system on my 84 Islander. The surveyor said he doubted it worked because he didn't see a compressor. Oh, well, maybe he won't be my surveyor next time since the Supercool works on the Peltier thermo-electric principal (as I know now) and doesn't use a compressor


After a year and some months I finally noticed that there was a finned item on the wall that's almost impossible to see in the ice box and wondered if that was the apparatus in it's entierty. I opened the circuit breaker and twisted the thermostat half way open. Lights came on and after few minutes I could tell that the unit was making cold BUT neither of the two fans (cold side and and hotside) came on so I turned it off and came here looking for counsel.


I got an installation manual but no operations manual so I have no idea if the fans are on thermostats. Would this be common? Or would it be more common that at least one of the fans comes on with the power?



I'd also appreciate any leads on sources of support for the now defunct Supercool brand.


Thanks,


Kurt

[tkeithlu]

If you don't get a specific response I'll risk jumping in and say that you should be able to explore this without being afraid of it. It would be completely reasonable for the fans to be on thermostats. Turn it on when you are going to be around and monitor what it does.

By the way, there's on ebay at present that advertises having the manuals.

[Rapanui]

The Peltier unit does not need the fans to operate. However, the fan on the cold side will remove the cold energy faster than just by convection and distribute it around the cool compartment more evenly. It will also tend to reduce frost forming. A fan on the hot side will remove heat faster than just natural convection. Both will increase the the cooling effect.
Peltier coolers are less efficient than compressor type fridges so a typical unit for cool boxes will draw a larger current typically about 12V 5A continuous, and also there is a limited maximum temperature difference possible between hot and cold side. But they are solid state so should last indefinitely.
Maybe, they might see a resurgence now given that many boats have much higher capacity house banks and high power solar charging e.g. cockpit or individual cabin drinks coolers