Love Temp Controller/PID Help

[noremorse1]

I don't know the price yet, my guess is $100 but I don't know we will have to see once it is released
BUB

Is it a two stage? Control for cooling will be great... but what about heating as well?

[bub]

Ok I just got new information today... (insert chubby here)
It will be a 2 stage and the company is still looking for parts pricing so not entirely sure of the price and honestly it is still in EARLY ALPHA testing... like not even true prototype yet so it will be a little bit before it will ship, I wouldn't count on Christmas but you never know. I have seen a working mockup but it's on like one of those pre-printed mockup boards that you buy... the final product will be on a custom circuit board, and that hasn't even been designed yet.

Some prelim specs...

[list=]Dual stage
[list=]20-Amp relays
[list=]3-digit display
[list=]Data logging (how often did that fridge run, anyway?)
[list=]USB interface for PC data transfer and advanced programming
[list=]PC software for data transfer, advanced programming, and firmware update... yes PC for now... perhaps Java or something later, but controlling USB ports and some other techie bullshit that I don't understand is more work on other platforms, so well deal for now.
[list=]Compressor safety timer / short cycle protection
[list=]Watchdog timer so any software error shouldn't just freak out the fridge.
[list=]Something like 0.1 degree resolution, 0.5C absolute accuracy over temp range... aka blah blah techie bullshit... blah blah
[list=]Ability to set a profile... something like for lagering... start at 50 for 2 weeks then ramp up to 65 for 3 days then drop to 35 for a month... or whatever

The company is also trying to consider future uses for this inasmuch as perhaps controlling valves, pumps, or electric heating elements for the brewery side. Perhaps doing this with only an add-on board or slightly different kit, we shall see.

Remember this will be a kit not a fully finished unit, but only minimal work should be required to complete it (say an hour or so) and probably some general parts and wire from Home-Despot or Lowes or whatever (outlet box, wire, outlet, outlet cover... so what $10 tops for all that crap... IF you don't already have it hanging around the house.)
BUB

[dagomike]

Let me start by saying, I am an electrical moron, so I need your help. I have 3 Honeywell SmartValve's to control the natural gas to the burners. I have the Thermocouple's in all the pots (threaded 1/2"npt).

I need to know what model, either Temperature Controller or Temperature Switch, to buy. Also, I am not sure of what benifits would be with a Controller over a Switch. The ultimate goal is to automate temp control of the 24vac Honeywell's via a temp probe in the ThermoCouple's on a control panel.

When you say thermocouple, do you mean thermowell?

Is that Honeywell unit a gas solenoid? A poplar temperature controller is the Love TS. I've got a bunch to control freezers and my HERMS.

This may get you started:

http://blog.flaminio.net/blogs/index.ph ... lt_project
http://blog.flaminio.net/blogs/index.ph ... rner_pilot

[codewritinfool]

A thermocouple is a measurement device exploiting the Seebeck effect.

A thermowell is a hollow tube that's closed on one end that can go into a medium and contain a temp sensing device (such as a thermocouple, but not necessarily).

[Petedadink]

I have heard of this fabled comapny you speak of Bub. I also hear hes a cool guy.

[Push Eject]

I'm pretty sure it's going to be called the Push Ejection

[bub]

I don't know how cool he is, he seems somewhat of a long haired hippy freak to me. That being said This controller is gonna RAWK!
Boards are being designed right now and beta models should be out to testers by the beginning of the year (OR SO)(Note that is from me not "the company").
I think we will all like the value of the final product compared to existing options out there... we just need to be patient.
BUB

[BadRock]

Boob, is your wonder box going to have an integrated PID algorithm or is this thing just a 2 stage temp controller?