THERMOELECTRIC REFRIGERATION

Thermoelectric refrigeration is the process of pumping heat energy out of an insulated chamber in order to reduce the temperature of the chamber below that of the surrounding air. Thermoelectric refrigeration uses a principle called the "PELTIER" effect to pump heat electronically. The Peltier effect is named after a French scientist who discovered it in 1834.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

In 1834 Jean Peltier noted that when an electrical current is applied across the junction of two dissimilar metals, heat is removed from one of the metals and transferred to the other. This is the basis of thermoelectric refrigeration. Thermoelectric modules are constructed from a series of tiny metal cubes of dissimilar exotic metals which are physically bonded together and connected electrically. When electrical current passes through the cube junctions, heat is transferred from one metal to the other. Solid-state thermoelectric modules are capable of transferring large quantities of heat when connected to a heat absorbing device on one side and a heat dissipating device on the other. The Koolatron's internal aluminium cold plate fins absorb heat from the contents, (food and beverages), and the thermoelectric modules transfer it to heat dissipating fins under the control panel. Here, a small fan helps to disperse the heat into the air. The system is totally environmentally friendly and contains no hazardous gases, nor pipes nor coils and no compressor. The only moving part is the small 12-volt fan. Thermoelectric modules are too expensive for normal domestic and commercial applications which run only on regular household current. They are ideally suited to recreational applications because they are lightweight, compact, insensitive to motion or tilting, have no moving parts, and can operate directly from 12-volt batteries.

ADVANTAGES OF THERMOELECTRIC REFRIGERATION

Battery life: Used in combination with the Koolatron "Battery Saver" you can always be assured of having starting power.

Performance: Koolatron coolers maintain "cool" temperatures when the air surrounding the cooler is up to 90°F

Heating: Koolatron coolers can be operated in the heating mode for short periods of time. Special order heater ONLY versions of our insulated boxes are used by Meals on Wheels, other senior hot meal programs, school hot meal programs and by caterers all across the country.

Safety: No open flames, propane, or toxic refrigerants used.

Reliability: Thermoelectrics have a 40 year proven track record in military, aerospace, laboratory, and now consumer applications.

Easy service: Most parts are easily replaced by the end-user with a screw driver.

Low maintenance: The only maintenance required with any Koolatron unit is periodic "dusting" and Vacuuming to ensure good heat dissipation.

In thermoelectric refrigeration food and beverages are kept cold and dry. No space is wasted for ice (unless of course you want ice, in which case we can help to preserve it 3 or 4 times longer than a plain cooler).