Just built one and had my first casting session with it. All I can say is awesome! Temp stays within a degree and when you dump in a bunch of cold lead it runs up to the set temp and stops and learns as it goes how to do it. If you know the difference between AC and DC you can build one. Tried using a thermometer which is a waste of time.
PID Temp Controller
- Thread starter Ian Robertson
- Start date
Ian, If you need further help with that kind of stuff, I'm an Instrumentation tech. do that stuff everyday.
And God only knows I could use your help and expertise in return.
I'm in Ottawa and we did meet a few times.
Hi cet, Who and when are/were you?? Let me know what you need and maybe I can help as well??
Spawn, I will try to put up some pics tomorrow. I used to do film for Spawn/Spiderman which was printed in Canada and I worked for the Uncle of the Spiderman guy, are you related or just a fan?? Long time ago but I still remember some of it.
Spawn, I will try to put up some pics tomorrow. I used to do film for Spawn/Spiderman which was printed in Canada and I worked for the Uncle of the Spiderman guy, are you related or just a fan?? Long time ago but I still remember some of it.
was a fan when it came out and the name just stuck, i've been using it for over 10 years. but i forget why i added the inc, i think because everyone else use spawn.
alot of people buy their PID parts from these guys, http://www.auberins.com/ and build them, but they do sell plug and play ones for alot of money. i went the cheapo route and got a kit from ebay. my only regret is it reads in celsius and not ferinheight
here is mine built from an old power supply.
Hell, I dont want to piss on anyone's parade, but, for the good of the collective:
All you need is a programmable temperature controller like this one, will take just about any temperature sensor
on the market and runs on 120 AC, just plug it in.
http://www.automationdirect.com/adc...ers/1-z-32_DIN_Size_(SL4824_Series)/SL4824-RR
And the only other thing you need is a temperature sensor, like this one.
http://www.automationdirect.com/adc...Sensors_(Adjustable_Immersion)/THMJ-D08L04-01
There are hundreds of places and price ranges you can choose from.
You can do a search on Google for "Temperature controllers", "thermocouples", "RTD's" and find better prices.
All you need is a programmable temperature controller like this one, will take just about any temperature sensor
on the market and runs on 120 AC, just plug it in.
http://www.automationdirect.com/adc...ers/1-z-32_DIN_Size_(SL4824_Series)/SL4824-RR
And the only other thing you need is a temperature sensor, like this one.
http://www.automationdirect.com/adc...Sensors_(Adjustable_Immersion)/THMJ-D08L04-01
There are hundreds of places and price ranges you can choose from.
You can do a search on Google for "Temperature controllers", "thermocouples", "RTD's" and find better prices.
I can probably piece 2 or 3 together with the parts I have on hand too.
I was just trying to give others a place to start looking.
Automation Direct sells good, solid, industrial controls and they back them up with great tech support and warranty.
I buy a lot of equipment from them, even the Chinese stuff is CSA, TUFF, etc. approved, which is important
when getting field approvals.
How would you make a PID controller for 10-15 dollars may I ask, just out of curiosity.
(even pieceing it, sensors and relays would cost that or more, and please dont mention bi-metal)
The temperature controller that you sent the link for will not work on a 800w pot, the relay can only handle 5A max and usually when you design a circuit you have at least a 50% safety factor so the controller needs to be able to switch at a minimum 10A and more like 15 or 20A. You would just need to add an external relay to make it work for our needs.
There are lots of thermocouple temperature probes you can get on ebay that will do up to 1000 Deg. F, you want one that goes into the lead and is submersed at least to 1/4" off the bottom of the pot. The difference between the top of the pot and the bottom of the pot where the lead comes out is 20-75 Deg. which doesn't sound like much but if you are making hollow point bullets it will affect you. So you need one that has a long metal probe instead of a short one.
Spawn - I did a complete write up on the PID controller that I used on the cheap and I also used an old computer power supply as an enclosure. It works excellent like yours does and it really shows you that if you have a pot full of lead and add one pound of cold lead how much the temperature swing is until the lead melts and the temperature comes up again. Now I rest the lead on the side of the pot to pre heat it until I need it and then there is not so much temp. swing.
I have gotten microcontroller evaluation kit from Texas instruments for $4. Software is free.
$10 of bits and pieces from discount electronic stores....
We all have to buy the probe, this is about the controller.
I can also use left over IO for almost anything.
Internal clock I can auto shut off the pot in case I'm forgetful.
Oh the options are endless for a tinkerer.
$10 of bits and pieces from discount electronic stores....
We all have to buy the probe, this is about the controller.
I can also use left over IO for almost anything.
Internal clock I can auto shut off the pot in case I'm forgetful.
Oh the options are endless for a tinkerer.
I was thinking about the controller as well, not the I/O's.
(controlling temp, pressure, flow etc, is basic stuff. Only the external parameters change)
If the load to be controlled cannot be handled by the output on the controller, yes, you are right
an external relay capable of switching the load (whatever that may be)
is required.
If the input temperature needs to be 1000F, again, no problem, choose a sensor with
a different temp. range.
I will not go into other things that may or may not be needed like an enclosure, fuses, terminals, switches etc,
To make things easy for the average person, using an off-the-shelf product, now that you mentioned the parameters,
have a look at the following:
http://www.automationdirect.com/adc...es_(with_Lead_Wire_Transition)/THMK-T06L06-02
http://www.automationdirect.com/adc...n-Style,_40A_(AD-PR40_Series)/AD-PR40-1C-120A
And, yes, you are right, a tinkerer can do all kinds of wild and wonderful things, I love tinkering myself, but
most of the time I'm building equipment for industrial customers. They have to be built to code and field/shop approved
by ESSA or whatever standard the client requires.
Most people would want something easy to get, assemble and use. Google/used/scrap yard/discount electronics
is the answer if you want cheaper stuff and know what to look for.
BTW, if you tinker with that stuff, you would LOVE my fun room, it's packed to the rafters with that kind of crap.
Cheers
I put my sprue scraps right back into the pot everything and if I cast fast enough with a 6 banger it drops the temp in the pot a good bit.
When I get more into casting I will likely buy another pid system to setup a hot plate to preheat my molds and a few 5lb ingots to help reduce the shock.
I believe the ssr I got with my kit was 25amps for the 800watt heater.
I bought my controller etc from Thermomart in Toronto although they are not good at replying to emails and answering questions. The SSR I had and it will switch up to 18 amps at 240v so the Lee pot at about 6 amps is not a problem. I also made mine so I can use it to control other stuff with a plug on the probe etc. I used a piece of 1/4" alu 4 x 6 as a heat sink but so far I can not feel any warmth at all.
Wow, very impressive Yomomma. That's some big stuff !!
First and foremost I should appologise to Ian for highjacking his thread. Sorry Ian, got carried away (and continue to do so)
And, nice work on the controller, looks great.
Yomomma, I do mostly SCADA stuff, PLC, touch-screens, pneumatics, run of the mill instrumentation work.
A ton of programming and panel fabrication. I also design and build custom medical automation equipment,
for a local company. Stuff they cannot buy off the shelf.
Merry Christmas to all...........and here is a couple of pics of my fun room.
Merry Christmas to all..........................View attachment 8067View attachment 8068View attachment 8069View attachment 8070
First and foremost I should appologise to Ian for highjacking his thread. Sorry Ian, got carried away (and continue to do so)
And, nice work on the controller, looks great.
Yomomma, I do mostly SCADA stuff, PLC, touch-screens, pneumatics, run of the mill instrumentation work.
A ton of programming and panel fabrication. I also design and build custom medical automation equipment,
for a local company. Stuff they cannot buy off the shelf.
Merry Christmas to all...........and here is a couple of pics of my fun room.
Merry Christmas to all..........................View attachment 8067View attachment 8068View attachment 8069View attachment 8070
