For simple PWM control you can get away with using just a logic level power 
MOSFET 
<http://www.moodle2.tfe.umu.se/pluginfile.php/45884/mod_resource/content/1/Infineon-2N06L07-datasheet.pdf>
 
and two resistors for a total cost of less than $1 and no heatsink.  For a 
real hack you can even eliminate the resistors.  :)
But to build it yourself with current reversing, the component count goes 
up to at least 6 and uses more expensive P channel MOSFETs.  At that point 
you are better off with an IC but 4A will cost you more
Alternately you could just use an RC brushed motor ESC..  A 3S (3 cell lipo 
= 12.6v rating) one *with reversing* should run you about $10 and then you 
only need one PWM output to control everything.  I've never had an issue 
driving one of these directly from a beaglebone.

On Wednesday, November 1, 2017 at 1:50:13 PM UTC-4, John Morris wrote:
>
> [Putting this back on-list] 
>
> On 11/01/2017 11:52 AM, Chris Albertson wrote: 
> > 
> > On Wed, Nov 1, 2017 at 8:40 AM, John Morris <[email protected] 
> <javascript:> 
> > <mailto:[email protected] <javascript:>>> wrote: 
> > 
> >     On 11/01/2017 10:15 AM, Daren Schwenke wrote: 
> > 
> >         When switching peltiers between heat/cool mode you can get some 
> >         really high currents. 
> > 
> > 
> >     I don't know much about it.  This one is rated 48W/12V, so I used a 
> >     cheapo L298N module, 2 channels at 2A/channel, wired together.  (I'm 
> >     not sure if that's allowed, but it seems to work.)  Do you mean 
> >     higher current than 4A? 
> > 
> > 
> > The L298N uses internal bipolar transistors.  The device drops some 
> > volts and burns up a lot of energy in the process.   I would go with any 
> > MOSFET based h-bridge rather then the L298.  The298 has been obsolete 
> > for years. Ad will require a big heat sink and I think a fan.    A 
> > modern device will not require a heat sink and not get hot. 
>
> I picked that one because they're available cheap on a PCB with extra 
> circuitry marketed to the Arduino folks.  It does come with a heatsink, 
> and it's near the Peltier fan in my box. 
>
> I'm not married to the thing, though.  If there's another solution 
> that's better and not much harder, let me know.  There's a 
> VNH2SP30-based (datasheet [1]) "Monster Moto Shield", 30A MOSFET, for 
> example. 
>
> [1]: http://www.st.com/resource/en/datasheet/cd00043711.pdf 
>
> > I don't understand the use of Machine Kit for this.  Everyone else 
> > builds these using a $1 micro controller.  It is actually MUCH easier. 
> > This is the perfect project o use one of these $3 STM32 boards   
> >   Perhaps this is just an exercise? 
>
> The value IMO is in the demonstration of a full integration from 
> electronics to remote GUI, and in the overall simplicity for learners. 
> Maybe it's the lesson that comes after Alex's AND-Demo. 
>
> I know enough about microcontrollers to know the basic control functions 
> could easily be done on an STM32 board, and there's probably enough 
> memory to do some logging, too.  I'd believe if you said there's a good 
> way to build a network-connected remote interface and (maybe even 
> cross-platform) GUI, and $3 is a fantastic price point (the BB WiFi 
> adapter cost more than that).  You're right, the value of this project 
> can't be judged by the efficiency of using Machinekit on a Beagle for a 
> thermostat.  I still hope there's value in the lesson, and anyway, like 
> that guy in True Grit using a horse pistol to shoot rats, it's fun. 
>
> Actually, this is really my first GUI ever, and my own eyes were 
> certainly opened.  With haltalk and QtQuickVCP, the whole GUI took zero 
> lines of code outside the remote comp's ~dozen python lines to create 
> pins.  Really amazing stuff. 
>
>         John 
>

-- 
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