TE Technology TC-36-25-RS232 - Manual (Page 39)

Appendix A Troubleshooting Controller
CONTROLLER NOT PROVIDING THE EXPECTED OUTPUT POWER:
COMMUNICATION
PROBLEM: A communication problem is not allowing software to turn the output ON, or some other
parameter is not set properly due to communication problem. See Appendix B, Troubleshooting
communications port.
HEAT SIDE MULTIPLIER: See Section 4.4 for reference. If this is set to 0.00, the controller will not provide any output
power when the controller goes into the heating mode. Set this value to something greater than
zero to restore the controller’s capability of heating.
COOL SIDE MULTIPLIER: See Section 4.5 for reference. If this is set to 0.00, the controller will not provide any output
power when the controller is in the cooling mode. Set this value to something greater than zero
to restore the controller’s capability of cooling.
LOW VOLTAGE: See Section 6.10 for reference. Verify the controller is receiving at least 12 V from the power
supply. The controller will shut off output power to protect the MOSFETs from damage if the
input voltage drops below 11.2 V.
OVER CURRENT: See Section 2.11, 2.12, and 6.9. Verify that the over-current level is set to an appropriate amount
that is at least greater than the expected current draw of the thermoelectric device used with the
controller. Check that a sufficient number of over-current restart attempts has been set.
OUTPUT ON/OFF: See Section 2.13. Verify that the controller has been set to turn on output power. You should also
verify that the power supply is capable of providing the expected amount of current for the
thermoelectric device at the voltage supplied by the power supply. If the power supply cannot
provide sufficient current, it may be in an over-current condition.
ALARM: See Sections 2.5-2.9. Verify that there are no alarm conditions and that the temperatures which
trigger an alarm condition are set correctly. If you are certain no alarm condition exists, click the
SEND LATCH CLEAR button.
SYSTEM TEMPERATURE INCREASES WHEN COOLING EXPECTED:
INSUFFICIENT
HEAT SINK: The thermoelectric (Peltier) elements do not have a sufficient heat sink, and input power heats
entire system. In such a case, there is usually some initial reduction in temperature when power
to the thermoelectric device is first turned on, but this is soon followed by a gradual heating of
the system.
OUTPUT POLARITY
REVERSED: Review section 2.4 and wire attachments from controller to cooler. Ensure the wire polarity is
correct per schematic, and ensure proper control mode is selected. Ensure wire attachment
(polarity) to the cooling device is correct. For thermoelectric (Peltier) modules, review the
“Thermoelectric Module Mounting (TEM) Mounting Procedure”, available from www.tetech.com,
and verify physical orientation of the cold side module within the system. For TE Technology
standard cooling assemblies, verify wires are attached to proper positions on terminal strip (see
section 5.2).
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