Electric coolers with no compressor?

[pimpneightez]

I found this wine rack fridge. It had no compressor and two big aluminium heat sinks with electric running to them. There was a chip on the back of each heat sink with about 100 metal post's sticking up about 1/16 long. they were non magnetic and silver in color. They were extremley brittle. I knocked them all off and melted them with acytlene. The button that was made was extremly brittle as well. Anybody have any clue what this was. I'm thinking a zinc. Anybody know what this mystery material is? The button was also brittle I cracked it with my bare hands.

 

[jimdoc]

You have to be careful melting zinc if thats what it is. Did you see any "cobwebs" floating around?

Jim

 

[pimpneightez]

No cobwebs floating and no smoke of any color. It did have a light smell not very strong. I was outside though and did't really stick my face in it.

 

[Merle]

It sounds like you are describing a Peltier cooler (or thermoelectric cooler). From a quick search the metal pieces you melted may have been Bismuth Telluride, a metal you should not melt again (even if outside) as toxic tellurium fumes can be given off.

Here is a link with info about Peltier coolers:
http://www.ferrotec.com/technology/thermoelectric/


Merle

 

[pimpneightez]

Thanks merle, I won't be melting that anymore and definatly won't be eating it either. Seems if even a tiny bit is ingested you get a foul smelling garlic type odor from sweat and breath. I wonder if it go's well with seafood.