IndMac.gr - Products - Thermo-Electric Power Source

TEC-2 and TEC-8 are natural gas or propane fueled 12 or 24-volt power sources, and are an alternative to solar panel systems used to power electronic instruments on a gas pipeline. Power from the TEC unit is used to keep a lead acid battery fully charged. The battery provides high peak power for short burst requirements, such as for wireless communications at remote monitoring sites. The battery΄s state-of-charge and temperature are continuously monitored and TEC-2 typically produces from 1.8 to 2.5 watts to keep the battery charged, while the TEC-8 produces between 7.3 and 8.5 watts depending on load and weather conditions. To provide the same continuous power as the TEC-2, it would take a 20 watt solar panel at a location with 6 sun-hours per day, or a 50 watt solar panel at a location with 2.5 sun-hours per day. Solar panel systems need large batteries to provide power on days with no sun. At 2 watts continuous, a solar panel system requires a 25 amp/hour battery for only 7 days of no sun. To cover 14 days with no sun, a solar panel system would need a 50 amp/hour battery. ATEC-8 has the same charging capabilities as an 80 watt solar panel system (based upon 6 sun-hours per day). Unlike solar panels, the TEC units can be installed in almost any location, and are unaffected by shade, snow, freezing rain, ice, dust build-up, or birds. Both TEC Units consumes a small amount of fuel [TEC-2 = 0.8 CFH of N.G. and TEC-8 = 3.5 CFH of N.G.] in a flameless oxidizing catalyst to heat the hot side of an array of peltier thermoelectric modules. TEC units use the same safe reliable catalyst technology that has been heating equipment in the natural gas industry for over 30 years. The self-contained starting system for the TEC catalytic heater makes starting as simple as flipping a switch to turn the system ON, and pressing a button to open the gas safety valve. The generated power is conditioned by a high efficiency switching power supply to provide the ideal temperature compensated battery charging current and voltage to the battery. Internal diagnostics detect possible system problems. Alarm codes and charger state are saved in non-volatile memory to assist in trouble shooting. The system status can be remotely monitored using the open collector alarm output. TEC-2

The system can become a self-starting stand alone power supply with the addition of an optional 12 Volt - 0.8 amp hour battery. The battery provides starting power and power surge absorption for any application requiring 2 or 8 watts continuous. Transmitters and most flow computers can easily be powered with a TEC-2. For larger applications, including many communications packages, the TEC-8 is more than ample. FEATURES Runs on a very small volume of natural gas or propane: TEC-2 uses 0.8 CFH TEC-8 uses 4.3 CFH Microprocessor controlled for fast one button startup Integrated temperature compensated charge controller and remote battery temperature sensor for longer battery life Modular accessories for H20/H2S filtration, pressure regulation and batteries...you only buy what you need Total system cost is less than much larger solar panel, charge controller and battery systems because the TEC power output is continuous...24/7, rain or shine or bird droppings. In fact, the nastier the weather, the better it works Rated Class 1, Division 2 With optional 12 Volt internal battery it becomes a stand alone power supply Status output for remote monitoring 2" pipe or wall mountable Available in 12 or 24 Volt Systems Ideal for flow computer, transmitter and volume corrector applications