SMART CUPS ~ Controlling The Temperature Of Your Drinks On The Go, Or
At Your Desk….
©
2019 BOB SKIDMORE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
BOB SKIDMORE
CORRESPONDENT
Ever wish you could keep hot
liquids hot, and cold liquids cold in your car, or in your office? Well,
Paltier, a division of Xiamen Paltier Electronic Technology Co., LTD., markets
two such devices known as Smart Cups that do just that. They employ what’s
known as the Thermoelectric Cooling
Technology using the Peltier effect.
PT-301
The
PT-301 is a 12-volt electric Cup
Holder that plugs into your cigarette lighter and keeps drinks warm or cool
while traveling. It takes about thirty-minutes to reach its full potential. Pressing
the “snow” key button on the top activates the cooling cycle. The cooling mode
is indicated by illuminating this button and casts a blue ring around the top
of the holder. Pressing the “wavy” patterned key activates the warming cycle,
which is indicated by the red illumination of this button and casts a red ring
around the top of the holder. Pressing the key that is active shuts off the cup
holder. The PT-301 is primarily
designed to work with 12oz metal soda type containers, tetra packs, glass
bottles and numerous containers that easily transfer heat or coldness. These
liquids would already be cool or warm prior to placing in the Smart Cup Holder.
While it is possible to start with a liquid that is at room temperature, the
time required to bring the liquid to a desired drinking temperature in the
container could be somewhat lengthy. In other words the PT-301 works best in maintaining the already intended temperature. The
unit fits common 76mm cup holders. The inner cup size diameter is approximately
2.8 inches with a depth of 2.5 inches. Once placed in your car’s cup holder,
you’ll note an exposed one-inch vent. This air vent should never be blocked as
it expels air.
110/220VAC
to 12VDC Power Supply
The
PT-301 can also be used as a desktop
device by adding an external power supply of at least 3 amps, such as the Tcisa
model 121000. (Available under various brand names with same model number) This
model offers a 10 amp, 12volt output and comes with a cigarette lighter socket
and could be useful for powering other DC devices you may have.
(TIP: If you wish to drink a warm
drink from a cup, such as coffee, hot chocolate or tea, be sure to check that
the diameter of the cup so it will fit into the Smart Cup Holder. Cups that will easily transfer cold, or heat
and are made of an insulated material are preferred, and are much more
efficient.)
(TIP: Carbonated drinks such as
sodas, beer, as well as liquids in sealed containers may never be heated, as
they would present a danger and by exploding.)
PT-501
The PT-501
is the desktop version of the Smart Cup line-up. It differs in several key aspects.
First, it’s powered by an included 100/240volt to 12volt DC 3A power supply.
It’s intended to be used on a desk, or tabletop as opposed to in a car. Its
flatbed design allows the included insulated cup to be placed on a specially
formed plate that emits either heat or coolness as transferred by the Thermoelectric Cooling Technology using
the Peltier effect. This plate not
only accommodates the special cup, but also is specially molded to hold 12oz soda
or beer cans with their unique base design. The supplied cup is specifically
designed to efficiently disperse the heat, or coolness and then maintain its
temperature much like an insulated cup would. If you desire a cold drink simply press the power button once and it
will turn blue verifying that you are in the cooling mode. At a 77°F ambient
room temperature the metal plate on the PT-501
base will achieve a 46 degree temperature in just 10 minutes. A liquid in the
supplied Smart Cup, or in a 12oz aluminum soda or beer can, will cool the
liquid to 46 – 53°F in only thirty-minutes and retain that temperature *automatically until the liquid is
fully consumed, or power to the Desktop Smart Cup is turned off. Conversely, if
you desire the warming of a liquid, depressing the power button twice causes
the button to glow red indicating the heating cycle will commence. At a 77°F
ambient room temperature the metal plate on the PT-501 base will achieve 149°F in just three-minutes. The liquid in
the Smart Cup will reach a 122 – 131°F temperature in approximately
thirty-minutes and will retain that warmth *automatically
until the liquid is removed, or the power is turned off. Depressing the button
a third time shuts the unit off. *The
smart technology of the PT-501 automatically
senses when to turn on and off the metal plate so it will maintain the warmth,
or coolness of the liquid without an unnecessary power drain.
(TIP: The right side of the flatbed
design consists of a vent and is not intended for any user function. Spills
need to be carefully avoided to prevent leakage into the vent and negative
affects to the cooling/heating plate. Care should also be taken not to make
body or object contact with the plate during operation, as it could be quite
hot or cold to the touch. Ouch! )
In
general, both devices work exceptionally well for the use they are intended to
fill. They work best at maintaining liquids at an already established
temperature in the container. Carefully following the instructions and using
the proper containers will enhance the end result. Both models will function
world-wide with the PT-501 requiring
a common plug adapter for the country where being used. When purchasing, be
sure that you look for the specific Paltier brand, as there are many spin-offs
in the marketplace that were not subject to this column’s evaluation.
Presently, the Paltier models are available at The Sharper Image and at select
Amazon vendors with more to come.
MSRP: PT-301 $25.99 ~ PT-501
$49.99 ~
Tcisa optional power supply for the PT-301 $27.98 (Amazon)
(Note:
Available under different brand names/same model No.)
GADGETEER’s RATING: ★★★★★
For more information go to:
Graphic credits: Google Images & Manufacturer
Bob Skidmore is a freelance
writer, who may be contacted at bob.thegadgeteer.skidmore@gmail.com, or
followed at twitter.com/bskidmore for the
latest gadget industry news. He does not represent, or endorse any of the products
he reviews and his opinions are solely his points of view and not those of the
manufacturer, or any legal resource. The manufacturer generally supplies
products and press releases at no cost for the articles and no other
compensation is received. THE GADGETEER is highly selective as to products he
feels worthy of review so as not to waste the reader’s time, thus the reason
for many superior ratings.
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