Generally, the limit voltage of TEC1-12706 is 15V, the normal use voltage is 12.1V, the maximum current of TEC1-12706 is 6A, so the maximum power consumption is 72W, but in normal use, the general current is 4A about.
Both sides will heat up. Usually, one side is cold and the other is hot at first, but later both sides become hot. This is caused by poor heat dissipation. Just add a fan with a heat sink. Blow away the heat in time and the cold surface will be normal.
Extended information:
Principle of semiconductor refrigeration chip
In principle, semiconductor refrigeration chip is a heat transfer tool. When a current passes through a thermocouple pair formed by a piece of N-type semiconductor material and a piece of P-type semiconductor material, heat transfer occurs between the two ends, and the heat will be transferred from one end to the other, resulting in a temperature difference to form hot and cold. end.
However, the semiconductor itself has resistance. When current passes through the semiconductor, heat will be generated, which will affect heat transfer. Moreover, the heat between the two plates will also undergo reverse heat transfer through the air and the semiconductor material itself.
When the hot and cold ends reach a certain temperature difference and the amounts of the two heat transfers are equal, a balance point will be reached, and the forward and reverse heat transfers cancel each other out. At this time, the temperatures at the hot and cold ends will not continue to change. In order to achieve a lower temperature, heat dissipation and other methods can be used to reduce the temperature of the hot end.
Reference: Baidu Encyclopedia-Semiconductor Refrigeration Chip