temp controler

[Dave-Leeds]

Has any1 installed 1 of these on their boiler/mash tun

http://www.pecoservices.co.uk/digital-m ... k-31-p.asp

its the onea used on the peco mash bins.or is a pid a cheaper option if i wanted to do step mashes

Cheers

[Fil]

a pid is a computer applying an algorithm that uses 3 parameters to tune which should allow you to heat your liquor to target temperatures with the minimal energy input, a fantastic bit of kit to save cash when heating up a few thousand litres of something, applied to a brewday?? 15p possible saving per brew?? (guessing).. ( and a autotune run to set which can take a few hours.. so you will be catching up with spent power from day 1....) - If you want a pid Get one i have em, But imho its a lil luxury a brewday gadget/toy that also sets the temp for me.

the controller linked to looks like an stc1000 or one of the similar one direction only devices with a 30a relay and can heat Or cool but not both, im using one on the kitchen fridge after its thermostat died you can buy a controller box and bits for less than £30 probably and its not a difficult fabrication the most difficult bit being cutting/drilling the holes in your chosen box.
wiring is well documented on the web and is a 30min job from start to finish including making the tea...

A pid build can cost more some pid models have been caught giving misreadings due to dispalying the temp it thinks it should be not what it is. iirc a test that has shown dodgy results with some is to part way thru a heat upto target change the target to a temperature lower than current and the temp display will drop a few degrees in a blink. afaik the auber pids are proper jobs but cost and the far east copies are what they are, Im using the far east sestos brand pid and so far it seems ok, but????? thankfully its a very close copy of the auber and the detailed auber manual easily found online matches 99% of the sestos jobs operation, (sestos wont display F temps and the probe codes are different, otherwise pretty much the same ..)

you can also use a pid as a simple on/off controller like the one linked to too

[Dave-Leeds]

Thanks for the detailed reply Fil. After reading your post i think i only want a pid as it looks a bit of decent kit lol.

i have wired up an stc1000 for my brewing fride.by the sounds i will be best doing this for my boiler/mash tun and as you say its a hell of alot cheaper. Do you think the probe would need changing to a better 1 and any idea where i could get the part that fits to the boiler to house the probe.

Thanks

[Fil]

mrlard has alternative stc1000 probes on his brewbuilder site iirc a thermopocket or thermowell is an alternative to use the as is probe easily, just ensure the probe tip has good contact with the pocket/well end.

The stc1000 is useless beyond 99C if not using for cooling as well one of these may be a better option..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220V-Digital- ... 43c08e2811

measures upto 120C so should measure the boil temp if of interest to you, and a bigger relay for elements upto 3kw on a 13a ringmain socket, will do cooling but its either or, (only the one relay) i have one controlling the kitchen fridge

[Dave-Leeds]

Think i have a spare stc kicking about somewhere so ill probaly use that.only want to use during mashing to get temps spot on and step mashes

cheers