Cheap PID controllers

[ivanmalley]

Apart from the obvious things like checking your connections it seems you have wired it correctly.

Are you able to try the thermocouple on another pid etc.

[ivanmalley]

Another thing you could try to rule out a faulty thermocouple:-

Set the pid to pt100 sensor type.

Put a wire link between terminals 4 and 5

Wire a 100 ohm resistor between terminals 3 and 5 (Leaving the link in also)

If your pid is ok it should read zero degrees centigrade as this is the calibration resistance for this type of sensor. Somewhere very near is ok as your resistor may not be accurate.

If no change your pid looks like it is faulty, also make sure it is a genuine Sestos one that accepts pt100 input as there are dodgy copies out there that can't.

[vazolee]

I tried this thermocouple with the another controller (OMRON E5Ck) and it operated correctly, so the sensor is good.
Thank you for your idea about the controller test with resistor. I will try it.
Thanks for your help.

[vazolee]

I tested my PID according your introduction, but I didn't change. The display show in the PV flashing -208, in the Sv flashing orAL. If i done it correctly, it seems faulty.

[mcmental]

i will be using a 3kw element on my homebrew still but may need to add a second element so would this be fine with a p100 probe or do i need a 25A setup?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Professional- ... 956wt_1277

or this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Professional- ... 3386aa3ed4

many thanks for any help so i can get this brewing.

chris

[paulg]

mcmental
not quite sure what you mean but if you want to run 2 3kw elements that is about 25 amps so I would definitely order the 40 amp relay kit you linked to to give you some leeway.
the pt100 works exactly the same for either pid setup.It looks like the pack comes with a K type probe so you would need to order a pt100 probe seperately but the description does say the pid will work with a pt100 probe.

[Fil]

+1 u will also need a heatsink with either of those options, the pid's control voltage can switch more than one ssr so you could always use 2 x 25a ssrs each controlling its own 3kw element.

[paulg]

agreed fil didnt notice it was not included in the package.I have found mix tea seller to be good and reliable to deal with

[badgerdan]

Hi. I'm after a pid controller, ssr and temp probe for my system but am really confused as to which ones i need so could someone put a few links up of a set or the individual parts?
Also, i'm wanting to put the probe in a t-pipe after the tap like on the Blichmann's so the probe can't be long and do all the pid's allow you to set in different temperatures and times for how long to keep them at that?

[aamcle]

EvilBay. No. 121481831049

141351938003

251320435930


But that's a cheap but adequate PID there are plenty of better ones if you feel you need a ramp soak type.


Atb. Aamcle

[Fil]

Hi. I'm after a pid controller, ssr and temp probe for my system but am really confused as to which ones i need so could someone put a few links up of a set or the individual parts?
Also, i'm wanting to put the probe in a t-pipe after the tap like on the Blichmann's so the probe can't be long and do all the pid's allow you to set in different temperatures and times for how long to keep them at that?

Hi BD,
Fwiw i am using these pid models, afaik they impliment a reasonable approximation of the algorithm.
and adhere to 99% of the opperation as layed out in the auber pid manual which is a lil more enlightening than the single sheet of paper that ships as a manual with the budget models.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from= ... d&_sacat=0

budget heatsinks for the ssrs

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aluminum-Allo ... 20e93b67d3

or heatsink and ssr bundle
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Single-Phase- ... 43bbc34a8a

for the probe, u can take a punt on an ebay china budget model, but having bought a few and discovering only the sleeve/sheaf containgng the probe was SS and the securing nut is generally shiny steel that rusts, i would go to mrlard at homebrewbuilder for a probe that will screw straight into a 1/2" threaded T piece...


Pids Dont do timming, you can buy similar sized pannel mountable digital timming boxes too
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JSS48A-1Z-AC- ... 2c962c28bc
which are the sort of solution used in projects like the 'electic brewery control pannel'

i would suggest a different approach however and use a more standard domestic timeswitch,
if filling the hlt pot first and switch only the power to the pid box with a segment timer you can use a standard cheapo b n q jobby, If however you wish to switch the high amp element load too you would be better off using one designed for a water heater as it wont blow or fuse with the hi amp contact..

cheap low amp option to power the controller only
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AQUARIUM-VIVA ... 3383233df5

or Hi amp version to control the load too
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/24-Hr-Compact ... 5d4b0cde05

ssrs when connected to a load and power can bleed, that is a small current can pass when the ssr should be off,
So if not switching the load with a time switch always fill the pot before turning on the power..

ps the items linked to are examples of products not specific recomendations of sellers..

after saying all that, and while i do use a pid for my hlt control, it is imho a brewtoy and wont do any better in real terms than a simple on/off controller like a stc1000, when heating up 1000's of gallons at a time, a few % less power utilised could save big bucks, heating less than 20 gallons at a time the economy wont scale down to a significant save per brewday, im guessing but would suggest it would be in the order of pennies rather than tens of pennies.. and the autotune proceedure will possibly result you catching up to break even on power costs for a few years.. that said u want one u get one,, i did

[LeeH]

The cheap ones work a treat, just as well in this instance as ones we fit at work but just with a lot less clever options. All for a 20th of the price.

The mypin ones are a little better then the Rex ones IMO, I've got both and the mypin ones have a slightly better interface for the novice. Same price too.

[badgerdan]

Thanks guys, i'll take a look I'm only needing it for mashing but had hoped it would automatically change temp after a set time. What's the ramp soak type?

[Fil]

for that job i would look at the stc1000 pi hack, its a s/w upgrade that will do exactly what u want
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j ... t4YlRMeXfA

[london_lhr]

Fil wrote:
> for that job i would look at the stc1000 pi hack, its a s/w upgrade that will do
> exactly what u want
> https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j ... t4YlRMeXfA

Software for the STC1000PI is available here :-

https://github.com/matsstaff/stc1000pid

Barry.