PID model help

[derfburg]

I am having some issues figuring out what PID to get here. I am new to the fine art of elec. terms. I am building a simple gas/elec HERMS system. All I need the PID to do is turn off/on a 120v heater in the HLT, it will just keep the HLT at a steady temp.

Not sure what model to get here :

Auber 6362 http://tinyurl.com/bmjsl9z
Sensor - RTD? what model? http://tinyurl.com/bwz4ycz

[maxwell]

The Auber unit that you linked to appears to be only rated for 3A output current. Assuming that your heating element is maybe 1500 W, you will be drawing 12.5 A at 120 V. I think that you need either a PID unit that can handle more current or you need to use a PID unit to control a solid state relay.

Max

[Kbar]

I use this one;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-PID-SSR-TEM ... 43ab228921

To control the RIMS 1500W heater and the 4500W HLT heater. One each. Works well. The Autotune feature is quick and painless. After running Autotune, the PID controller is spot on in controlling temperatures. I use a type J thermocouple from Omega. 1/4" Pipe thread and 6" probe.

FYI

[beltbuckle]

i used the JLD612 PID from lightobject

http://www.lightobject.com/JLD612-Dual- ... r-P43.aspx

note they have a dc and ac model, so get the appropriate one. You'll also need to pick up a solid state relay that the PID will trigger, get one rated higher than the amperage you will be pulling with your heating element. Also be sure to get a heat sink for the SSR. They can get quite warm when cycling often, and overheating them will either kill them permanently or cause them to stop working temporarily... the last thing you need during a brew session.

if you need any help PM me.

[derfburg]

Could I not just get a Ranco and use that with the heater? Set the temp on it and roll on?

[beltbuckle]

The Rancos are just simple temperature controllers. (i.e. they turn on at temp X, turn off at temp Y, etc). They don't have the smarts that a PID controller has to continually adjust output based on input and are not self-learning. So while they would probably work you'll be missing accuracy. Also I am not sure how frequently they can cycle (I don't have one)? I know with my RIMS system after temp is reached it cycles the heat for just a fraction of a second every 10 seconds or so to really maintain it with a high precision.

[maxwell]

I would also strongly encourage you to learn how to properly ground your equipment if you do not know how to do so already. It's not too hard to kill yourself with water and electricity.

[ajdelange]

That's a good point. The breaker which feeds all this should really be replaced with an ELCB/GFI breaker. Painful costwise but a hell of a lot less painful that some of the things that could happen without one.