TE Technology TC-36-25 RS232 User manual

Instruction Manual
for
Model TC-36-25 RS232
And
Model TC-36-25-RS232-UL
Temperature Controller
For T ermoelectric Coolers
19-SEP-2023
Drawing #4637 Rev. J
1590 Kean e D r ive P one : ( 2 3 1) 9 2 9 -3 966
Tra v e r se Cit y , M I 496 96-8 2 57 Fax: ( 231) 929 -41 6 3
ttp:/ / www .te t e c .c o m e-m a il: c o o l@ tete c .c o m
All Materials Copyright © 2023, TE Technology, Inc.
TE
TECHNOLOGY, INC.
®

2
General Safety Warnings
This manual is availa le in English only. It must e read and followed carefully efore installation and operation.
THE LATEST REVISION OF THIS MANUAL IS AVAILABLE AT www.tetech.com. Verify that you are using the
latest revision availa le.
The temperature controller should not e used as a toy, or serious injury could result. The controller
should only e used for its intended purpose of providing temperature control of TE Technology’s
thermoelectric devices only. The controller is intended for light industrial, la oratory, or similar use. It is
not intended for household use or medical use.
Do not use in an explosive or potentially explosive environment.
Do not use the temperature controller to control capacitive or inductive loads or the controller could e
damaged and/or overheat. Examples of capacitive or inductive loads include ut are not limited to motors,
fans, filters, and solenoids.
Do not allow the electrical connections on the printed circuit oard to touch any electrically conductive
surfaces.
Do not operate in an environment where the controller could come in contact with condensation, water,
metal shavings, dirt or other contaminants, or electrically conductive materials. Ingress of contaminants
shall e addressed when installed in the end product.
Use ESD (Electro Static Discharge) protection when installing and handling the controller.
Do not touch any of the electrical connections or components of the temperature controller while the
controller is energized. Doing so can disrupt the function of the controller.
Do not use if the controller has een damaged in any way.
Only qualified technicians should install and operate this controller with the appropriate personal
protective equipment.
Improper tuning of this temperature controller can lead to excessive thermal cycling and/or overheating
of the thermoelectric device, either of which are known to reduce the lifetime of any thermoelectric
device. Care should e taken to prevent the temperature of the thermoelectric device from going eyond
the range specified y the device manufacturer. Care should also e taken so that any thermal cycling of
the thermoelectric device is a result of changes in the controller’s set-point temperature and not
insta ility at a given set point due to improper selection of the tuning varia les.
The temperature controller ase underneath the transistor-mounting area could exceed 60 °C under
normal operation. Use caution! Protect against accidental contact with hot surfaces.
Use protection devices to prevent hazardous conditions and/or damage to equipment.
Each power input that is used with the controller must e fused separately. Alternatively, a power supply
with integral over-current protection may e used if it is appropriately sized for protecting the
controller/TE device.
The temperature controller is intended to e used with, or incorporated into, other machinery made y TE
Technology, Inc. and must not e put into service until the relevant machinery into which it is to e
incorporated into has een declared in conformity with the essential requirements of the Machinery
Directive 2006/42/EC.

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For more information regarding protection devices read, TE Technology’s Thermoelectric Cooling Assem ly (TCA)
Instruction manual which is availa le for download from TE Technology's we site at www.tetech.com. The terms
and provisions relating to protection devices as provided in the TCA Instruction manual are here y incorporated y
reference. A copy of the TCA Instruction manual can also e sent via regular mail upon request.
TE Technology, Inc. does not make any warranty, expressed or implied, that the use or operation of the equipment
will e functional or effective if the equipment is not installed and used in accordance with this manual.
TE Technology, Inc. shall not e lia le, and Purchaser shall defend, hold harmless, and indemnify TE Technology,
Inc. from and against, any losses, costs, expenses (including reasona le attorneys’ fees), injuries, lia ilities or
damages of any kind or nature whatsoever, arising out of the use or ina ility to use this TE Technology, Inc.
product, from the omission or failure to use protection devices, or from failure to comply with this manual. This
provision is in addition to any other indemnification provisions which are a part of the Purchase Order or contract
with Purchaser.
Special Notes concerning t e TC-36-25-RS232-UL
 The TC-36-25-RS232-UL temperature controller has een tested y MET La oratories, Inc., a licensed nationally
recognized testing la oratory, to UL 60730-1-Part 1-5
th
edition and CAN CSA E60730-1-Part 1-5
th
edition. It has
een evaluated as follows:
Type 1 Action
Electrical Shock Protection Class 0
Class A Controller
(Please note that the TC-36-25-RS232-UL differs slightly in design and manufacture from the standard TC-36-25
RS232. If a controller meeting UL requirements is required, the TC-36-25 RS232 cannot e used a su stitute; only
the TC-36-25-RS232-UL may e used to meet the requirements.)
 The TC-36-25-RS232-UL is CE marked. The TC-36-25 RS232 is not CE marked and cannot e used if a CE marked
product is required.
 Due to requirements for UL/CSA, the TC-36-25-RS232-UL is sold without a temperature sensor and without any
connecting ca les although UL recognized connectors are provided as a requisite for UL. Temperature sensors
may e ordered separately; however, the temperature sensors that TE Technology offers are not UL recognized.
The controller is intended to e installed for use with an end product. Ingress of contaminants shall e
addressed when installed in the end product.
If the controller is installed in an enclosure, the openings in the enclosure shall e evaluated for access
to hazardous parts.
The controller shall e mounted so that it cannot rotate or e otherwise displaced and cannot e
removed without the aid of a tool.
Mechanical strength of the enclosure shall e evaluated when the controller is installed in an enclosure.
Endurance testing shall e performed as required when the controller is installed in end product.
An adequate protective earthing connection shall e provided to the controller. The protective earthing
connection shall e tested when installed with an end product. See “Safety Ground for TC-36-25-RS232-
UL” diagram on page 35 for further details.

4
Table of Contents
General Safety Warnings .......................................................................................................................................................... 2
License Agreement ................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Features .................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Setup Instructions................................................................................................................................................................... 13
1.0 Initial Setup ............................................................................................................................................................. 13
2.0 Configuration Setup ................................................................................................................................................ 18
3.0 Tuning Parameter Description ................................................................................................................................ 24
4.0 Cali ration Parameter Description ......................................................................................................................... 26
5.0 Final Setup—Controller Tuning .............................................................................................................................. 27
6.0 Data Acquisition Features ....................................................................................................................................... 31
7.0 Custom Software .................................................................................................................................................... 32
Controller Wiring Diagram: One Power Supply Setup ........................................................................................................... 33
Controller Wiring Diagram: Two Power Supplies Setup ........................................................................................................ 34
Safety Ground for TC-36-25-RS232-UL ................................................................................................................................... 35
Expansion Connector Wiring Diagram .................................................................................................................................... 36
Mechanical Package Drawing ................................................................................................................................................. 37
Block Diagram ......................................................................................................................................................................... 38
RS232 Communications Connections ..................................................................................................................................... 39
Appendix A Trou leshooting Controller ................................................................................................................................. 40
APPENDIX B Trou leshooting Communications Port ............................................................................................................. 42
APPENDIX C Serial Communications....................................................................................................................................... 43
APPENDIX D Thermistors for TC-36-25 RS232 ........................................................................................................................ 56

5
TE TECHNOLOGY, INC. (TE TECH)
License Agreement
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shall not relieve Customer of its o ligation to pay any and all outstanding charges hereunder nor entitle Customer to any refund of such charges previously paid.

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7. IMPORT/EXPORT
7.1 If you intend to import or export (or re-export), directly or indirectly, whether electronically or otherwise, the software products or technical data relating thereto
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appropriate, to secure any required licenses or approvals in your own name. You are also responsi le for the accuracy and completeness of any information or certification
you provide for purposes of import or export control compliance.
8. GENERAL
8.1 This Agreement shall e governed y the laws of the State of Michigan, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. You agree that any civil action or claims
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alternatively, the U.S. District court for the Western District of Michigan. You here y waive venue in any other forum. The provisions of the United Nations Convention on the
International Sale of Goods shall not apply to this Agreement
8.2 Should you have any questions concerning this Agreement, contact TE TECH y writing to: TE TECHNOLOGY, INC., 1590 KEANE DRIVE, TRAVERSE CITY, MI 49686.
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AGREEMENT SHALL BE EFFECTIVE UNLESS AGREED TO BY WRITTEN INSTRUMENT SIGNED BY A DULY AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF TE TECH.

8
Features
The TC-36-25 RS232 provides i-directional (heating and cooling) temperature control for thermoelectric devices.
Resistive heaters can also e controlled. An H- ridge configuration is used for the power output stage. The output stage
is made from solid-state N-channel MOSFETs (no relays or mechanical components are used). These transistors are
highly efficient and allow for the i-directional flow of current through the thermoelectric coolers. Their high efficiency
reduces the waste heat generated y the controller and allows for a compact design.
This controller is programma le via the RS232 communication port for direct interface with a compati le computer. Field
selecta le parameters or data acquisition in a half duplex mode can e performed. The supplied software is compati le
with Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows XP. The software provides a graphical user interface for setting
control parameters and receiving feed ack from the temperature sensor. However, the command set is also provided so
that qualified personnel can use the controller as an em edded control, or they can create a custom program interface
using La VIEW, for example. The software can also e used to instruct the TC-36-25 RS232 to save the desired control
parameters to the controller’s non-volatile memory. This allows the controller to e disconnected from the computer and
operated as a stand-alone controller. When operating as a stand-alone controller, the controller can e set to always
control to the stored set point or it can e set up to accept a proportional signal to vary the set point as required.
Mechanically, the controller’s printed circuit oard is mounted to a metal racket that is suita le for either horizontal or
vertical orientation. The controller can operate in am ient temperatures from 0 °C to 60 °C without generally requiring
additional heat sinking. The controller is intended to e used in locations where the controller can e protected y a
secondary enclosure or other means of protection.

9
The MP-2986 Display and Keypad, shown elow, is an optional accessory that can e purchased separately. It provides a
convenient way of showing and adjusting the temperature set point or showing the actual temperature eing sensed
when the TC-36-25 RS232 is operating as a stand-alone controller. See the MP-2986 manual for further information.

10
Main Features
 RoHS compliant
 Operates as a stand-alone controller or with a computer monitor
 Bi-directional, solid-state H- ridge operation for oth heating and cooling
 Can e configured to control oth high and low voltage thermoelectric (TE) devices:
 Single power supply configuration for TE devices with an input voltage range from (12 to 36) VDC
 Dual power supply configuration for TE devices with an input voltage range is less than 12 VDC:
o Controller-circuitry input voltage range from (12 to 36) VDC
o TE device (H-Bridge) input voltage range from (0 to 36) VDC
 Maximum 25 A current rating, controls up to 900 W
 Soft-start features turns the output on slowly, over a one second period
 Over current shutdown that can e set in 2.5 A increments
 Open sensor and shorted sensor output shutdown with automatic restart
 Low Voltage shutdown protects the H- ridge when the control circuitry voltage is less than 12 VDC
 Pulse width modulation of output at 2700 Hz
 Computer programma le via RS232 communications port
 Control temperature of –20 °C to +100 °C using thermistor supplied with controller
 Control temperature of –40 °C to +250 °C using optional thermistors
 Proportional (P), Integral (I) and Derivative (D) control that can e selected as P, PI, PD or PID; or Dead and (on/off) with an adjusta le
hysteresis
 Temperature resolution of 0.01 °C or 0.01 °F
 Control sta ility of ±0.01 °C or ±0.01 °F ( est case, when controlling a cold plate)
 Set temperature adjusta le y several options:
 Computer set via software/RS-232 communication
 Remote potentiometer (customer supplied)
 0 mA to 20 mA current loop
 0 VDC to 5 VDC adjusta le range
 Differential temperature control (allows control to a programma le temperature difference a ove or elow the temperature of the
second thermistor, if used)
 MP-2986 Display and Keypad (optional accessory)
 No computer programming experience required to use the communications software program
(Supplied software is compati le with Windows 10/8/7/XP)
 Command set is provided so programmers can create their own software interface or em edded controller applications
 Versatile alarm system:
 Computer configura le alarms for 25 mA, with a compliance voltage up to 11 VDC
 Alarm cancel: selecta le via computer-software communication or remote contact closure
 The second sensor input is configura le as a heat-sink over-temperature shut-down
 Non-volatile memory retention of parameters (1,000,000 write cycles maximum; see command #34 in Appendix C for further details.)
 Operating temperature range of 0 °C to 60 °C, storage temperature range of -55 °C to +105 °C

11
Pulse-widt modulated power output
The TC-36-25 RS232 requires a constant-voltage power supply to provide power for a thermoelectric (TE) device such as
a TE cooling assem ly or a Peltier (TE) module. The controller regulates the power to the TE device using a method called
pulse-width modulation (PWM). With PWM, the power is rapidly switched “ON” and “OFF” at constant frequency (2700
Hz for this controller). This creates a square-wave “pulse” of power to the thermoelectric device. The “ON” time, or
pulse width, can e varied to create an average output voltage (Vaverage) that is required y the TE device to maintain
the set temperature.
The important advantage to PWM is that it does not cause the extreme temperature excursions that are experienced
with a thermostatic control system. This helps to extend the life and relia ility of the TE devices. Added enefits are
that the controller does not generate a large amount of waste heat and it does not require a large heat sink.
How Pulse
-
w dth Modulat on Works

12
Multiple Control Configurations
Depending on the input voltage required for the TE device, the TC-36-25 RS232 can e used with either one or two
separate power supplies. When using one power supply, an input supply voltage ranging anywhere from (12 to 36) VDC is
required to power oth the controller and the TE device. The output voltage during the “ON” time is approximately equal
to the input voltage.
When using two power supplies, one power supply, ranging anywhere from (12 to 36) VDC, can e used to power the
controller itself; and a second power supply, ranging anywhere from (0 to 36) VDC, can e connected to the H- ridge of
the controller. This second power supply allows the controller to control TE devices that must operate at a voltage less
than 12 V. The self-contained H- ridge output transistors can deliver load currents from (0.1 to 25) A. (NOTE: consult
appropriate installation instructions for power supply and heat sinking requirements for high current operation).
The controller tuning structure allows designation of a variety of control features:
1) The Computer Set Value provides for manual control of the output from 0% to ±100% of load power. This
allows a remote device or computer to designate what output % the controller should deliver.
2) Proportional andwidth (P) in degrees, Integral reset (I) in repeats per minute, and the Derivative rate (D) in
minutes may e configured for P, PI, PD, or PID control.
3) Dead and control (on/off) with an adjusta le hysteresis may also e selected. However, this control mode is
not generally recommended with TE devices.
4) Differential temperature control is provided when two input sensing thermistors are used. The unit will control
the differential etween Input 2 (reference temperature) and Input 1 (actual system temperature).
A control temperature range of –20 °C to +100 °C is standard when using TE Technology’s supplied thermistor sensor
pro e (MP-3193) for the primary sense temperature. Other temperature ranges are availa le with optional thermistors.
The set point of the controller can e changed in a variety of ways y using either a computer, a remote set-temperature
potentiometer, a (0 to 5) VDC signal, a (0 to 20) mA current loop, or the MP-2986 Display and Keypad accessory. A
secondary thermistor can also e used for differential control (or it could e used for alarm condition sensing). All
temperatures may e consistently displayed in °C or °F.
Two types of control output modes may e selected. This determines the direction of the current flow through the
thermoelectric when heating is desired. This current flow may e from Wire Point WP1+ to Wire Point WP2-.
Alternatively, this current flow may e reversed from WP2+ to WP1- as selected in the configuration menu.
Several alarm settings may e selected, some of which provide an output current of 25 mA for alarm signaling. The
settings can e selected for no alarm function, tracking alarm, and fixed-value alarm. Alarm temperature values can e
entered in the setup menu using the supplied software. The computer-controlled selection is availa le for additional
em edded controller input/output options. The alarm setup menu also provides for selection of an alarm latching
condition. The alarm sensor may e either the control temperature sensor or a secondary thermistor sensor.
The various alarms have the a ility to determine the status of the output power to the thermoelectric cooler or auxiliary
heater. The main output power may e maintained during an alarm condition or shut down, depending on the user’s
setting.

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Setup Instructions
1.0 Initial Setup
Portions of the temperature controller (the aluminum frame near the output transistors, for example) can
exceed 60 °C during normal operating conditions. Temperatures greater than 60 °C can result in a hazard
to the user. Use caution! Protect against accidental contact with hot surfaces.
If the temperature controller is to e used under conditions such that its surface temperatures could
possi ly exceed 60 °C, test the surface temperatures under the worst-case operating conditions of
maximum am ient temperature and highest output current and voltage. If any portion of the
temperature controller exceeds 60 °C place adequate guards around the temperature controller to
prevent contact with any hot surfaces.
NOTE: the maximum allowable ambient temperature for the controller is 60 °C. Furthermore, the
maximum allowable temperature of the controller base underneath the transistor-mounting area) is 90
°C.
1.1 The TC-36-25 RS232 can run as a stand-alone controller, meaning that it can operate without the use of a
computer. However, a computer is required initially to set up various operating parameters.
Make sure the computer is OFF and the controller is UN-POWERED. Connect the RS232 Communications Port
from the controller (JP4) to the RS232 input (Serial Communications Port) on the computer. Pin 1 of JP4 is the
controller’s RX, Pin 2 of JP4 is the controller’s TX, and Pin 3 of JP4 is the controller’s shield.
When using the supplied RS-232 ca le, connect the wires to JP4 as follows (see “RS232 Communications
Connections” for further information):
JP4-1: clear wire
JP4-2: red wire
JP4-3: lack wire
1.2 Attach the thermistor to the temperature-control location.
Generally, attaching the thermistor to the cold side of the TE device provides etter control sta ility than locating
it at the o ject, liquid, or air that is to e cooled/heated. However, in doing so, there will e a temperature
difference etween the TE device and the o ject, liquid, or air that is to e cooled/heated. The temperature set
point can e adjusted to compensate for this temperature difference if necessary.

14
NOTE: When possi le, it is recommended that at least 50 mm of the thermistor’s wire e thermally connected to
the cold side of the TE device. This can e accomplished y placing aluminum tape over the thermistor wires and
adhering the wires and tape to the cold side of the cooler. If this is not done, the thermistor wires will e at a
different temperature than the cold side and they will add or remove heat in the region of the thermistor, making
the temperature reading significantly less accurate and thermal response time slower.
The standard thermistor supplied with the TC-36-25 RS232 is the MP-3193. Appendix D “Thermistor Styles for TC-
36-25 RS232” shows dimensional data on the MP-3193 and other thermistor styles readily availa le as well as the
corresponding temperature-resistance data. If you are using the MP-3193, it is recommended that you use
thermal grease (such as TE Technology TP-1) etween the thermistor and the surface to which it is mounted.
See also section 2.8 for further details on using thermistors with different resistance-temperature curves than the
standard thermistor.
1.3 Connect the thermistor wire leads to terminals JP2-5 and JP2-6. The thermistor is non-polarized, so it does not
matter which particular lead goes to which terminal. (See “Controller Wiring Diagram” for reference. The
thermistor is indicated in the diagram as the ‘primary thermistor’.) You can lengthen the wire leads if necessary.
The gauge of the wire is generally not important since the resistance of the wire is insignificant to the resistance of
the thermistor.
1.4.0 The TC-36-25-RS232 can e used with either one or two separate power supplies, depending primarily on the
nominal operating voltage of the TE device. If the maximum TE device input voltage is less than 12 V, then two
power supplies must e used with the controller. In this case, one power supply is for the TE device, and the other
power supply is for the controller itself (the microprocessor and associated electronics). Of course, just one power
supply can e used for powering oth the controller and the TE device provided that the TE device’s nominal
operating voltage is within (12 to 36) V.
When using one power supply for powering the controller and the TE device together, the power supply
input voltage is passed directly through the controller to the TE device during the "ON" pulse. The user
should choose an input voltage that is required for the TE device and yet is also is also ≥12 V ut ≤ 36 V.
The controller could e damaged if it is operated outside this range.
When using two power supplies, the controller input power supply voltage must e ≥12 V ut ≤36 V and
provide a minimum of 200 mA current. The TE device power supply input voltage can e ≥0 V ut ≤36 V,
ut it should e no greater than the rated input voltage for the TE device.
The TE device current rating should e no more than 25 A at the supplied input voltage regardless of
whether you are using one power supply or using two independent power supplies. NOTE: the
maximum allowable ambient temperature for the controller is 60 °C. The maximum allowable
temperature of the controller base underneath the transistor-mounting area) is 90 °C. The controller
might need additional heat sinking, depending on ambient conditions and how much current is being
drawn by the TE device.

15
The controller does have an internal 25 A fuse to limit current (Littelfuse PN: 0997025.WXN for controllers
made after 1-JAN-2021 or Littelfuse PN 142.6185.5256 for controllers made prior to 1-JAN-2021). This fuse
provides a degree of protection to the controller. If the fuse needs replacing, e sure to compress the fuse
holder tines to ensure the new fuse will have good electrical contact to the fuse holder. In any case, an
external fuse, appropriately sized for protecting the TE device, should e connected etween the
controller and the TE device to prevent damage and to prevent injury to the user should an over-current
condition occur with a TE device rated for less than 25 A. Alternately, a power supply with integral over
current protection can e used if it is appropriately sized for protecting the controller/TE device.
When making a TE device from a single TE module, the maximum operating voltage is usually no more
than 75% of the rated Vmax of the TE module for cooling applications. The 75% rule is ased on the TE
module eing thermally connected to a “good” heat sink; system modeling should e done to verify this
rule is applica le though. If multiple TE modules are used in an electrical series or series-parallel
com ination, the Vmax of the system will e approximately 75% of the rated Vmax of each TE module
multiplied y the num er of modules in series. Applying an input voltage to the controller that is greater
than the Vmax of the system will not necessarily damage the controller (unless voltage and/or current
limits are exceeded), ut the TE module(s) could e damaged y overheating as a result.
Power supply and TE Device wire leads should e kept as short as possi le to minimize electrical losses
and reduce the likelihood of generating unwanted electromagnetic interference. Use wires of a sufficient
gage appropriate to the amount of electrical energy each wire is to carry. Wire insulation and size must
also e appropriate to the am ient temperature and/or temperature of o jects in contact with the wire.
Wire leads supplied y TE Technology are for prototyping purposes and should e reviewed for
appropriateness in the final application.
Use protection devices to prevent hazardous conditions and/or damage to the load (e.g. cooling assem ly,
heater, etcetera) and other related equipment. Protection devices must operate independently of the
temperature controller circuitry. Protection devices should e placed at all points on the load and related
equipment where a hazardous condition can e detected. These protection devices should de-energize
the TC-36-25 RS232, the load, and, as necessary, other related secondary equipment. It is further
recommended that such devices require the user to remove and correct the root cause of a fault efore
allowing the TC-36-25 RS232, the load, and related equipment to e re-energized. Protection devices
should include, ut are not limited to:
 Fuses to prevent against electrical overloads,
 Over/under temperature thermostats to prevent against hazardous and/or damaging temperatures,
 Liquid flow meters to prevent against damage due to loss of coolant flow
The TC-36-25 RS232 controller (in conjunction with the standard and optional sensors) can detect under-
temperature and over-temperature conditions as well as over-current conditions, and it can e configured
to de-energize the load when such conditions are detected. However, hazards and/or risk of loss or
damage to the load (e.g. cooling assem ly, heater, etcetera), and/or secondary equipment could still occur
if the temperature controller and/or sensors were to malfunction. Therefore, independent, redundant
protection devices are recommended in addition to the safeguards provided y the temperature
controller. For the purposes of this manual the temperature controller and sensors are not considered
protection devices.

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1.4.1 One Power Supply Operation:
Make sure the power supply is NOT energized while making electrical connections to the controller.
Power supply should e of voltage needed for TE device.
If voltage is not etween 12 V to 36 V then a two power supply configuration is necessary.
a) Install jumper across JP6-1 and JP6-2 (default setup)
) Connect the constant DC voltage power supply (12 to 36) V to the controller:
Positive power supply terminal to WP3
Negative power supply terminal to WP4
c) Do NOT connect the TE device to the controller at this time.
d) See the “Controller Wiring Diagram Single Power Supply Setup)” for further details.
1.4.2 Two Power Supplies Operation:
Make sure the power supplies are NOT energized while making electrical connections to the controller.
a) Remove jumper across JP6-1 and JP6-2
) Connect the constant DC voltage controller power supply (12 to 36) VDC, 150 mA minimum to the controller:
Positive power supply terminal to JP6-2
Negative power supply terminal to JP6-3
Note: JP6 is a Molex connector, part num er 22-23-2031
c) Connect the constant DC voltage TE device power supply (0 to 36) VDC to the controller:
Positive power supply terminal to WP3
Negative power supply terminal to WP4
Install a 1.5 k, 1 W (customer-supplied) resistor across the positive and negative power-supply
terminals.
d) Do NOT connect the TE device to the controller at this time.
e) See the “Controller Wiring Diagram Two Power Supplies Setup)” for further details.
1.5 Turn power on to oth the computer and the power supply(s) (which in turn powers up the controller). The on-
oard green LED will flash at a steady rate to indicate that the controller is energized correctly.
Do not mount the controller to a surface which is exposed to a source of heat, such as from electronics,
machinery, or solar radiation.
Do not cover the controller with any o ject or otherwise restrict natural convection airflow around the
controller. Doing so could cause the controller to overheat.
Do not mount the controller to an insulating surface. Doing so could cause the controller to overheat.
Do not operate the controller in such a manner as to cause the surface temperature of the circuit oard or
its frame to reach 70 °C. Otherwise the controller might e damaged and there might e a risk of fire as a
result.
Do not allow the controller to e exposed to water (such as from dripping or leaking water lines or from
water-vapor condensation if the surface temperature of the controller is elow the dew point
temperature).

17
Do not allow metallic dust/shavings to contact the controller electronics.
1.6 Insert the TC-36-25 RS232 software CD into the computer CD drive or download the software from the TE
Technology we site at http://tetech.com. To run the software from the CD, select START, RUN from your Windows
Desktop and then enter D:\TC-36-25 RS232.exe (CD drive letter may vary). This will load the software into your
computer's RAM. Alternatively, (and prefera ly) copy the TC-36-25 RS232.exe file to your hard-disk drive and run
the program from there.
1.7 The Main Menu screen will appear on your computer monitor. All selections are made from this menu screen.

18
1.8 In the PC COMMUNICATIONS section, select the RS232 communications port (COM1 through COM255) to which
the controller is connected y using the SELECT COMM PORT menu key. After making this selection, click on the
INITIALIZE utton.
If you only have USB ports availa le on your computer, you can use our optional RS232 Adapter to provide USB to
RS232 conversion. If you use your own USB to RS232 converter, e aware that some converters might inject noise
on the transmit line from the computer and disrupt communications. The noise pro lem might e alleviated y
installing a 0.001 microfarad, 50 V ceramic capacitor etween JP4-1 and JP4-3.
NOTE: If you receive an error message, please refer to Appendix A “Troubleshooting Communications Port.”
2.0 Configuration Setup
2.1 In the CONFIGURE section of the software, the various selections elow are used to esta lish the custom operating
criteria for the controller.
2.2 SET TEMP TYPE menu key:
a) COMPUTER SET VALUE: temperature set point is determined from software input
) POTENTIOMETER SET, 0 TO 5vdc SET, or 0 TO 20 mA SET: temperature set point is determined y remote input.
Refer to the “Controller Wiring Diagram” and the “Block Diagram” for additional information. If you intend to
use one of these options, you will need to enter the SET TEMP HIGH RANGE and SET TEMP LOW RANGE values.
These values are used to linearly scale the temperature range (or fixed percentage output power) that you are
controlling within to the full range of the external input. The set limit values must e within the temperature
range that the TC-36-25 RS232 is capa le of controlling. For example, suppose you are using a (0 to 5) VDC
external input to control the set point. If you then enter -20 for the SET TEMP LOW RANGE and +100 for the SET
TEMP HIGH RANGE, this will create a linear scale of 5 V per 120 degrees or 0.0417 V/degree. So, to control to
10 °C, for example, you would set the external input voltage to 1.25 V.

19
c) DIFF.SET=INP2+FIXED SET: actual set temperature is the sum of the temperature sensed y the optional,
secondary thermistor input sensor and the temperature entered as the FIXED SET TEMP value. This allows the
controller to maintain a constant temperature difference etween the primary thermistor temperature and the
secondary thermistor.
d) JP3 DISPLAY SET VALUE: the temperature set point is determined y the set point entered with the MP-2986
Display and Keypad accessory. The DISPLAY FUNCTION ENABLE check ox must e checked as well to ena le the
MP-2986. The allowa le set temperature range for the MP-2986 can e set to the limits indicted y the values
entered in the SET TEMP HIGH RANGE and the SET TEMP LOW RANGE oxes. However, to send these values to
the display, the SEND SET RANGE TO DISPLAY utton must e clicked. This utton is located in the lower right-
hand corner of the software. See the MP-2986 manual for further details.
2.3 CONTROL TYPE menu key:
a) DEADBAND CONTROL: selects on/off control mode. However, DEADBAND CONTROL should not e used unless
care is taken to prevent the TE device from eing damaged y excessive thermal cycling.
) PID CONTROL: selects proportional/integral/derivative control mode. When this mode is selected, the
temperature controller compares the actual temperature to the set temperature and automatically adjusts the
output power accordingly.
c) COMPUTER CONTROL: ena les the user to select a constant, fixed-duty-cycle output (a fixed percentage output,
see section 3.2 for further details.) The duty cycle is set y the value entered into the FIXED SET TEMP ox. This
ena les the use of the externally connected computer to adjust the power output manually. There are 511 discrete
output levels in the cooling mode and 511 discrete output levels in the heating mode. These are selected y
entering values from -5.11 to +5.11 in the FIXED SET TEMP ox. Also, see Appendix C, #14, FIXED DESIRED
CONTROL SETTING.

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2.4 CONTROL MODE menu key:
HEAT WP1+ AND WP2- or HEAT WP2+ AND WP1-. This selection esta lishes the polarity for the heating mode of
the thermoelectric cooler. It allows you to reverse the current flow in the TE device without having to change the
wiring.
NOTE: For TE Technology’s standard products, the TE+ red) wire should be attached to WP2 and the TE- black)
wire should be attached to WP1 as shown in the “Controller Wiring Diagram.” The CONTROL MODE should then be
set to HEAT WP1+ and WP2-. Again though, do NOT connect the TE device at this time.
2.5 ALARM TYPE menu key:
a) NO ALARMS PICKED: no alarm condition will e monitored.
) SET TRACKING ALARMS: allows an alarm to e set with respect to the set temperature. It will move accordingly
with a change of the temperature setting. This option can e used for a high alarm, low alarm, or oth settings.
c) FIXED VALUE ALARMS: permits the setting of a fixed, a solute temperature either a ove or elow the set point
temperature or oth.
d) COMPUTER CONTROLLED ALARM: provides for user activation of the alarm relay via the computer software.
The “Expansion Connector Wiring Diagram” shows how customer-supplied LED’s can e installed to signal
various alarm conditions.
Associated with the ALARM TYPE configuration are the HIGH ALARM SETTING ox, LOW ALARM SETTING ox, and
the ALARM DEADBAND ox. If an alarm type has een selected, enter the desired high and low temperature
values that will trigger an alarm condition. The ALARM DEADBAND option sets the hysteresis of the alarm values
from 0.1 degrees to 100 degrees.
2.6 POWER OUT SHUT DOWN IF ALARM menu key:
a) NO SHUT DOWN IF ALARM: controller will continue to supply power to the TE device regardless of alarm
condition.
) MAIN OUT SHUTDOWN IF ALARM: shuts off power output to the TE device when an alarm condition exists.