Getting ready for herms - pump + pid controller build

The forum for discussing all kinds of brewing paraphernalia.
Post Reply
Eclipse9101
Steady Drinker
Posts: 84
Joined: Wed Nov 06, 2013 1:27 pm

Getting ready for herms - pump + pid controller build

Post by Eclipse9101 » Thu Jan 07, 2016 6:37 pm

So my adventure into herms is almost ready to become a reality! Spend the last couple of weeks designing and building a couple of controller boxes. 1st is a pid to control the herms lot, 2nd is a speed/voltage controller for the 2pumps I will be using (1 recirc on HLT and another for recirc of the mash)

Just thought I would share :)

I'm still waiting on a pt100 probe which is on its way. I used a mini xlr socket for ease of connecting the probe to the pid box.
Attachments
IMG-20160107-WA0004.jpeg
IMG-20160107-WA0022.jpeg
IMG-20160107-WA0002.jpeg
1452188235582-1015911951.jpg
14521881932201587977216.jpg

Eclipse9101
Steady Drinker
Posts: 84
Joined: Wed Nov 06, 2013 1:27 pm

Re: Getting ready for herms - pump + pid controller build

Post by Eclipse9101 » Thu Jan 07, 2016 6:45 pm

Added pic of pid controller rear face....
Attachments
145218863520885464552.jpg

BenB

Re: Getting ready for herms - pump + pid controller build

Post by BenB » Thu Jan 07, 2016 11:25 pm

It's a nice solid enclosure- I used exactly the same one on my sesto PID. I also used xlr for the pt100. For me the grill top was the thing that sealed the deal with the box. Only difference in fact was I had a kettle lead straight out of the box rather than a socket.

BenB

Re: Getting ready for herms - pump + pid controller build

Post by BenB » Thu Jan 07, 2016 11:25 pm

It's a nice solid enclosure- I used exactly the same one on my sesto PID. I also used xlr for the pt100. For me the grill top was the thing that sealed the deal with the box. Only difference in fact was I had a kettle lead straight out of the box rather than a socket.

User avatar
Hogarth
Under the Table
Posts: 1793
Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2007 1:30 am
Location: Brixton, London

Re: Getting ready for herms - pump + pid controller build

Post by Hogarth » Sat Jan 09, 2016 1:15 am

Very neat job. =D>

Just wondering, those DC plugs mounted in the casing of the voltage controller, are they all-in-one components or are they DC plugs wedged inside glands or something?

Eclipse9101
Steady Drinker
Posts: 84
Joined: Wed Nov 06, 2013 1:27 pm

Re: Getting ready for herms - pump + pid controller build

Post by Eclipse9101 » Sat Jan 09, 2016 9:03 am

Cheers guys. Yep the dc plugs are secured with cable glands, as the pumps I have are a female connector so they just push on to connect.

Fil
Telling imaginary friend stories
Posts: 5229
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2011 1:49 pm
Location: Cowley, Oxford

Re: Getting ready for herms - pump + pid controller build

Post by Fil » Sat Jan 09, 2016 12:04 pm

Nice Job, fwiw with a pid/25a SSR controlling 3kw of elements i measured temps of circa 70C on the SSR heatsink 2nd vane down... Since which i have opted to mount the ssr heatsinks external to my boxed solutions. a simple diy tab secured under the heatsink retaining screwheads (NOT between ssr and heatsink) facilitates this..

Image
a kettle power controller to limit power to a boil element made with a resistance controlled ssr and a 500k linear potentiometer and a 240v a/c amp/volt meter to indicate output power.
ist update for months n months..
Fermnting: not a lot..
Conditioning: nowt
Maturing: Challenger smash, and a kit lager
Drinking: dry one minikeg left in the store
Coming Soon Lots planned for the near future nowt for the immediate :(

Eclipse9101
Steady Drinker
Posts: 84
Joined: Wed Nov 06, 2013 1:27 pm

Re: Getting ready for herms - pump + pid controller build

Post by Eclipse9101 » Thu Jan 14, 2016 11:33 am

Fil wrote:Nice Job, fwiw with a pid/25a SSR controlling 3kw of elements i measured temps of circa 70C on the SSR heatsink 2nd vane down... Since which i have opted to mount the ssr heatsinks external to my boxed solutions. a simple diy tab secured under the heatsink retaining screwheads (NOT between ssr and heatsink) facilitates this..

Image
a kettle power controller to limit power to a boil element made with a resistance controlled ssr and a 500k linear potentiometer and a 240v a/c amp/volt meter to indicate output power.
Cheers fil. I used your element controller as my inspiration for a similar unit.

Made this at the weekend...
Attachments
1452767563289-307332807.jpg
IMG_20160112_124640.jpg

HairyHatMan
Sober
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Oct 13, 2018 5:24 pm

Re: Getting ready for herms - pump + pid controller build

Post by HairyHatMan » Sun Oct 14, 2018 9:03 am

Nice build. Very tidy.

I realise this is quite an old post but could I ask a few questions regarding your pid controller?

1. Where did you get the case you used for your pid controller? I’ve looked everywhere!

2. How did you fix the metal back box of the plug socket? Did you just cut out enough of the box for the socket to pass through and have the screws fix through the remaining part of the box where the fixing points are?

3. What size and type of cable did you use for the mains power?
I have bought some 2.5mm heat resistant flex, but could only find this in white.. and I would prefer to have a black cable.

Thanks in advance

Post Reply