Electric Start w/ Piezo igniter and PID

[rayvinton]

Hello all,

I have done a search for this and can only find one thing and really no answer. I want my system to start when my alarm low turns on. I have seen that some have done this with a relay but I don't know what relay to use to do this. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Ray

[skyeline]

Relays come in two basic flavors - SSR or mechanical and are rated by load amerage and control characteristics. SSRs are expensive and require some sort of heatsink, but are very reliable - do not buy chinese made crap. Mechanical relays have much shorter life but are cheap and ought to be plenty reliable for your purpose. The control rating is what power it takes to throw the switch - the type of power your alarm circuit produces, eg: 12VDC. The demand is usually just mA's at this size. The load is the type of power that you want to switch, really just volts and amps, eg: 10a @250VAC or 5A @24VDC (note that i just pulled those out of my hat).

They also come in different connection types and with or without a socket. The connection types are NO or NC (normally open(off)/closed(on)) and the number of throws and poles: SPST, SPDT - see wikipedia. You want SPST NO or SPDT or DPDT. Use a socket if you can - easier to install. Also see the electric brewery sites.

The right way to do this is to use DSI (direct spark ignitor), IMO. Otherwise unattended operation is not recommended.

[cdburg]

Something like this?

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=72295

I used a Honeywell Y8610U Gas Control Valve and Pilot Burner hooked to a 24v Ranco controller. I set the temp on the Ranco, and it turns on the burner, when needed. I believe this is similar to the set up MoreBeer uses or used in the past.

[skyeline]

Yes, thats the way to do it, IMO.

The morebeer design uses a standing (meaning constant) pilot. This is what i used, with a 3-ignitor piezo to light the pilot.

[Bad Goat Brewing]

The automatic lighting is pretty simple, if you use simple on/off control with a relay. Running PID loop on a propane system you would likely need a proportional valve, which while very cool, would very spending.

I use the below igniter system for HLT tank, and keep it with in about 1 degree. I have not gotten around to setting it up to shut off if ever fails to light though, which a smart person would probably do.

http://www.supplyhouse.com/Robertshaw-7 ... elight-Kit