SSR's and temp probes (cheap!)

[JackA]

Take a look at these:
http://www.sureelectronics.net/goods.php?id=190

Maybe I'm missing something, but it seems this is a great price! (edit: catch is that the shipping is expensive ). I've used these guys before to buy a few things, so I think they're reputable.

I also bumped into these:
http://www.sureelectronics.net/goods.php?id=1020

Anyone reckon they will withstand 100C water? I've asked a question, but I think they might be worth a shot.

Alternatively, I bumped into these:
http://www.sureelectronics.net/goods.php?id=642

Which, if the right nut can be found, might be able to be screwed directly into my boiler/HLT. Do other people use K-type thermocouples? Are they reasonable accurate?

The plan is to read the temp probes with a PIC microcontroller and switch on my elements accordingly using the SSRs. These guys sell a $1 LCD I'll use as a display and then I'll use this wireless module:
http://www.sureelectronics.net/goods.php?id=379

So I can be in the house while the HLT in the garage gets to temp and receive a beep or something once it's done.

These guys literally make me feel like a kid in a candy shop!

[awalker]

You have read my mind
I am doing something similar with a pic

Found a mobile phone module so you could get texts from your beer is that too much

[JackA]

Texts sound like a good idea!

Well, I thought I better dive in! Placed an order for the following:
1x 20x2 char LCD display (http://www.sureelectronics.net/goods.php?id=515)
2x 25A SSR (http://www.sureelectronics.net/goods.php?id=188) Cheaper to buy without the heatsinks, as shipping is per g and expensive. I'll just bolt them onto an old CPU heatsink anyway.
2x wireless transceivers (http://www.sureelectronics.net/goods.php?id=379) for letting me know when my brew is ready!
1x Digital Thermal probe DS18B20 (http://www.sureelectronics.net/goods.php?id=1020)
1x K Type Thermocouple Temperature Sensor Probe (http://www.sureelectronics.net/goods.php?id=642)

Which came out to $56 shipped, which I thought seemed pretty reasonable. I thought I'd try both the thermocouple and the digital probe. The thermocouples should fit nicely into my HLT/boiler while the probe could be used to monitor mash temp. If thy thermocouples don't work out, I'll use the probe instead.

Free sampled a few of these beauties off maxim:
MAX6674 (http://www.maxim-ic.com/quick_view2.cfm/qv_pk/3194) which reads the resistance of the thermocouple and gives you a digital number, saving a huge headache. A quick google on thermocouples suggest they're a bit of a nightmare without one of these.

So lots of stuff to play with over summer!

[awalker]

Texts sound like a good idea!

Free sampled a few of these beauties off maxim:
MAX6674 (http://www.maxim-ic.com/quick_view2.cfm/qv_pk/3194) which reads the resistance of the thermocouple and gives you a digital number, saving a huge headache. A quick google on thermocouples suggest they're a bit of a nightmare without one of these.

So lots of stuff to play with over summer!

Hmm nice find
Have just ordered a few myself

Good luck with your project, let us know how it goes

[JackA]

Here's a list of companies that give free samples:
http://lostscrews.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=45

Microchip and maxim can cover pretty much chip you'd ever need

[Lurch]

which reads the resistance of the thermocouple

No it doesn't. Thermocouples work on the potential difference between the hot (measuring) and cold (reference) junction - not on resistance changes.