power draft controller(pic heavy w/ parts list) updated 4-11

brunski · Joined: 02 Dec 2010 Posts: 4

1. killswitch, do you think this controller will work? - i dont know the specs it should have for your application , but you on the other hand could probably tell by just looking at those specs if it'll work to do what yours does. http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Display-Temperature-Controller-FURNACE/dp/B002PIM3R8/ref=pd_bxgy_k_img_c

2. what is the best way to adapt the fan on a UDS? i already have 4 holes around the base, would i need to make one of those holes a little bigger?

killswitch505 · Posted: Fri Dec 03 10 11:22 am Post subject:

1 yeah man from what i could tell it should work great!!!

2 on my wine barrel i just use one of the 3/4 nipples with a couple of lock-rings to hold the fan on but my nipples are like 6'' from the ground so i have the clearance i need with my 4s box fan
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bullka · Newbie Joined: 05 Mar 2010 Posts: 34

ske1eter · Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 19

I'm trying to figure out if I can use the J1 alarm to turn a light on.

The scenario is such that I want to cook, at say, 220 degrees. I'd like to set up the alarm to turn on a light at around 200 degrees to help indicate that even though the fan is on, there isn't enough wood left in the firebox to get the temps up.

I'm thinking that I need the alarm mode where AH<AL. My guess is that I could set the AH at 200 and AL at 201, correct?

killswitch505 · Posted: Tue Dec 07 10 12:00 pm Post subject:

this is what i would try if you are using a type K tc (i like to put a few degs worth of swing between AH & AL)

Parameter setting:
(Inty)=K; (SV)=220 deg f;
(outy)=2; (AH1)=???? deg f;
(Hy)=0.3; (AL1)=???? deg f;
(psd)=0; (AH2)=200 deg f;
(rd)=0; (AL2)=202-205 deg f;
(CorF)=0

(auto-tuning is used to set PID parameters)

Power up the controller. Keep pressing (>) to activate auto-tuning. When �AT� stop blinking, new PID parameters are generated for the new system. The controller is in normal operation mode controlling the pit temperature at 220 deg f.
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ske1eter · Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 19

Here's my assembled controller. The red light on the lower left is going to be used as a low-temp alarm that I will be able to see from a distance. The intent is that when the cooker is out of wood and the fan can no longer keep the heat at my desired setting I can see the light and know to add more wood.

Plugged in and testing.

I still need to hook up the fan but I tested the socket with a DVM to see that I was getting 12 v. output when the AL2 light is on. The final item is to figure out how the get the fan attached to the firebox so that the fan airflow is directed into the box but the fan not get melted.

killswitch505 · Posted: Sun Jan 09 11 3:04 am Post subject:

nice!!!!!!! thanks for adding to the post Very Happy

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esselle · Joined: 24 Mar 2010 Posts: 18 Location: Leicester UK

Hi Could someone please advise if this pid controller would be ok to use?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PID-TEMPERATURE-CONTROLLER-Fah-Cels-Universal-SSR-40A-/260734902634?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Hearing_Cooling_Air&hash=item3cb502e16a

Thanks.

ske1eter · Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 19

From what I could find by searching around the web, my (non-expert) guess is that it would work just fine. The documentation looked very similar to what mine had as far as output types and programming options.

esselle · Joined: 24 Mar 2010 Posts: 18 Location: Leicester UK

esselle · Joined: 24 Mar 2010 Posts: 18 Location: Leicester UK

So do I only need a power unit if I am using a Pc fan?
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ske1eter · Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 19

Pinkelephant · Posted: Thu Apr 14 11 9:36 pm Post subject:

I'm plugging in 2 offsets (fully modded CG outlaws) and 2 barrel grills (CG Smokin Pros). I would prefer to stay with 12v and not need to fire up an inverter (I'm on battery power). I like the low temp light posted above. I need to keep it all clean because I'm building a show-off toy.
What PIDs and blowers and dimmer switch should I use?
Also, I think I want my temp senser mounted on lid. I don't want a wire down with the food except for the food probe. suggestions?
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ske1eter · Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 19

Pinkelephant · Posted: Fri Apr 15 11 9:33 am Post subject:

ske1eter · Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 19

Pinkelephant · Posted: Fri Apr 15 11 9:37 pm Post subject:

txinga · Joined: 20 Jun 2006 Posts: 24 Location: Woodstock, GA

This looks great. I use a cheap aquarium temp controller to power a heat strip / freezer to control fermentation. I've been wanting to do something like this for my char-griller trio. Even thought of doing AC output to convert my gas verticle to a hot plate.
Question; when using this on an offset and the minion method is it still ok to stack the hot coals to the left? My firebox is on the right, cook chamber on the left. Was thinking if the unlit are to the left it would light them up quicker. Or am I over thinking this?
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scabman · Joined: 06 May 2011 Posts: 6

killswitch;
Can the PID control be set up to turn elec. burners on and off to control the temp? If so can you tell me wht to do? I have all the parts in your thread before I realized that it wasn't set up for an elec. cooker.
Thanks for any help you can provide!!!!

ske1eter · Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 19

You may want to take a look at the manual that I linked to a couple of posts above. In the application example section, they show some stuff that might apply to your electric heater element.