Evening all,
As a quick run through I am looking to build an arduino controlled fluid cooling system that would make use of 4 peltiers/ TEC 12706 (12V / 60W). The minimum specification is:
- Can be used to cool 25 litres of water
- Have an operating range between 20degc-30degc
- Can reach target temperture +-1degc
- Adjust temperature within 60 minutes
The list of stuff I think I need:
- Power supply- will use lab one before switching to compact one
- 4 peltiers (TEC12706)
- 4 computer heatsinks with fans
- Water pump to pump water through the aluminium cooling heads
- At least 3 temperature sensors (on for input, output and main tank)- Can anyone offer links to arduino compatible temp sensors/ point in the right direction?
This is my first foray into arduino so I will start off by getting a peltier to simply turn on and off, then try to have control with ramping up/ down power, then trying to include sensor information. Once this has been achieved I would then try to employ a safety shutdown, followed by trying to get multiple peltiers to do the same thing at the same time. The final level of complexity would be if I could have a "polarity flip" to turn the cooling sides into heating, making it possible to also heat, as well as cool the water.
The cooling/ heating modules will be made out of 3 parts (in diagram)- the TEC module will provide the heat pump needed. This will be computer controlled. The aluminium cooling head will be fed by a "dumb" aquarium water pump. Finally, the heatsinks will be cooled using PC fans, again these would be dumb, simply on/off. IF I manage to get all of the control stated in the previous paragraph, I would consider looking into any control for these dumb parts.
Whilst this all sounds good in theory, I do have a problem- I do not know what type of arduino board to get. Any suggestions? Also, from reading a few different peltier systems and have seen they require "n- channel mosfets"

I don't have a clue what these are but from my understanding they protect the peltier's from the rapid on/off control of the microprocessor (correct?) the other question is surely there is some form of "you use this mosfet, for this amount of components etc."- I've had a good google and have started to at least grasp some concepts, but are there any useful must reads on the topic?
TLDR: Firstly, what type of Arduino board would I need (3 temperature sensors, 4 peltier modules, basic on/off button and maybe a LCD screen,) secondly any hardware I've overlooked, thirdly, any red flags/ pitfalls people can see?
Best,
Projectspotter XD