I've been getting them here:
http://www.mpja.com/Thermoelectric-Cool ... 30207%20PM
But the TEC1-12706 can be found on e-bay for less.
As a heat flow sensor the output voltage seems to be perfectly linear with heat flow.
I was surprised they can run this hot. As heater/coolers they're rated for 90 C max on the hot side. I've been thinking of putting them on the back of PV panels to use the waste heat to boost overall efficiency. Plus, cooling a PV panel boosts the efficiency a little anyway. But at 19% or better, why bother with the PV?
One digit change in the part number and you get data on it as a TEG in this abstract:
Title: Thermoelectric Power Generation System Using Waste Heat from Biomass Drying
Authors: Maneewan, S.; Chindaruksa, S.
Affiliation: AA(Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Thermal Energy and Energy Conservation Promotion Research Unit, Naresuan University), AB(Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Thermal Energy and Energy Conservation Promotion Research Unit, Naresuan University)
Publication: Journal of Electronic Materials, Volume 38, Issue 7, pp.974-980
Publication Date: 07/2009
Origin: CROSSREF; SPRINGER
Keywords: Thermoelectric, power generation, biomass drying
DOI: 10.1007/s11664-009-0820-5
Bibliographic Code: 2009JEMat..38..974M
Abstract
This paper looks at thermoelectric power generation from waste heat from a biomass drier. In this study, the researchers selected four thermoelectric modules: two thermoelectric cooling modules (Model A: MT2-1,6-127 and Model B: TEC1-12708) and two thermoelectric power generation modules (Model C: TEP1-1264-3.4 and Model D: TEG1-1260-5.1) for testing at temperatures between 25°C and 230°C. Test results indicated that the thermoelectric TEC1-12708 could generate a maximum power output of 1 W/module and TEP1-1264-3.4, TEG1-1260-5.1, and MT2-1,6-127 could generate 1.07 W/module, 0.88 W/module, and 0.76 W/module, respectively. Therefore, the thermoelectric cooling of TEC1-12708 was appropriate to use for thermoelectric power generation from waste heat. The experiments used four ventilation fans (6 W, 2.50 m3/s) and 12 thermoelectric modules which were installed in the back of a charcoal brazier. The experiments were conducted and tested in conditions of recycling 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% of outlet air. Testing results identified that the temperatures of the drying room were 81°C, 76°C, 70°C, and 64°C, respectively. The power generation system could generate about 22.4 W (14 V, 1.6 A) with an air flow of 9.62 m3/s. The thermoelectric module can convert 4.08% of the heat energy to electrical energy.