Advice needed on PID and ssr for 5500w element

The forum for discussing all kinds of brewing paraphernalia.
Post Reply
Tintomy
Sober
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2018 7:34 am

Advice needed on PID and ssr for 5500w element

Post by Tintomy » Mon Aug 13, 2018 11:50 am

Hi Guys,

I've been reading jimsbeerkit for ages but decided to register to ask this question. A bit of background is I have a 70L BIAB system with two 2.4kw elements controlled by 2 stc1000. Works great. Now I want to build a much larger 3 vessel 450 litre system. I think that three 5500w low density elements in insulated vessels will be sufficient to heat up in a reasonable time and also maintain a rolling boil.

I don't want the expense of a full control panel. My plan instead is to firstly get a dedicated power supply installed for the three 5.5kW elements, around 100amps. Next I will plug 2 of the elements in the HLT into the mains with just a on/off switch. The third HLT element will be PID controlled. All three will be turned on to get to strike temp. Once there the third PID controlled element will maintain the mash temp through a HERMS set up.

My question is (finally) will this PID and ssr set up be sufficient to control ONE 5.5kW element.

Inkbird PID Temperature Controller Thermostat ITC-100VH + K Thermocouple + 40DA SSR Solid State Relay + Black Heat Sink for Heater/Cooler Device https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01MY2B6BR/ ... CBbKJSJHBV

Thanks.

User avatar
LeeH
Under the Table
Posts: 1921
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2012 9:42 pm
Location: North Lincs
Contact:

Re: Advice needed on PID and ssr for 5500w element

Post by LeeH » Mon Aug 13, 2018 12:39 pm

Yes....but...

We normally use RTD's (PT1100) as they offer a higher degree of accuracy for our temp ranges.

That SSR is rated at 40A which is fine if it was a branded one such as Omron or Schneider. If using the generic ebay/amazon ones buy 2 and always have a spare. I would also carry a spare controller too.

Use a heat sink and make sure you get a good covering of compound on the base of the SSR.

On my first build I used the mypin branded controllers without issue but they were only running 3kW. 5.5kW is still under the 'stated' 40A so you should get a reasonable degree of reliability.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-PID- ... 0507.m3226

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aluminum-Hea ... 0505.m3226
Last edited by LeeH on Mon Aug 13, 2018 12:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Sabro Single Hop NEIPA 25/02/20 CLICK ME to monitor progress with Brewfather & iSpindel

User avatar
LeeH
Under the Table
Posts: 1921
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2012 9:42 pm
Location: North Lincs
Contact:

Re: Advice needed on PID and ssr for 5500w element

Post by LeeH » Mon Aug 13, 2018 12:48 pm

Looking at the data sheet the ink bird will accept a PT100 so just buy one from brew builder if you want to purchase via amazon.

http://www.ink-bird.com/products-PID-co ... tc100.html

https://www.brewbuilder.co.uk/temperatu ... -p216.html
Sabro Single Hop NEIPA 25/02/20 CLICK ME to monitor progress with Brewfather & iSpindel

Tintomy
Sober
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2018 7:34 am

Re: Advice needed on PID and ssr for 5500w element

Post by Tintomy » Mon Aug 13, 2018 1:08 pm

Thanks LeeH, I will go for a PT1100. Good advice to purchase a spare. Do you think Mypin is more reliable than inkbird? I've used 4 inkbird stc1000 and they seem reliable.

User avatar
LeeH
Under the Table
Posts: 1921
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2012 9:42 pm
Location: North Lincs
Contact:

Re: Advice needed on PID and ssr for 5500w element

Post by LeeH » Mon Aug 13, 2018 1:43 pm

I doubt the mypin ones will be any better or worse.
Sabro Single Hop NEIPA 25/02/20 CLICK ME to monitor progress with Brewfather & iSpindel

Tintomy
Sober
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2018 7:34 am

Re: Advice needed on PID and ssr for 5500w element

Post by Tintomy » Mon Aug 13, 2018 4:09 pm

btw LOVE the Tilt and up to date fermentation data. Do u recommend it?

User avatar
LeeH
Under the Table
Posts: 1921
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2012 9:42 pm
Location: North Lincs
Contact:

Re: Advice needed on PID and ssr for 5500w element

Post by LeeH » Mon Aug 13, 2018 4:33 pm

Its early days, I've just calibrated it on this 2nd brew as the first one was a few points out.
Sabro Single Hop NEIPA 25/02/20 CLICK ME to monitor progress with Brewfather & iSpindel

Tintomy
Sober
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2018 7:34 am

Re: Advice needed on PID and ssr for 5500w element

Post by Tintomy » Tue Aug 14, 2018 2:52 pm

Also the plan is to have an additional three 5.5kW elements in the boil kettle. All three turned on to reach a boil. 2 will have simple on/off switchs. I am considering using an EZboil Power Regulator with the 3rd element.

https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main ... cts_id=560

Hopefully it would avoid a boil over and its alarm would alert me that boil has begun. 16kW for 430 odd litres probably won't be enough power to cause much of a boil over though.
Could the Ezboil be used with the same 40a SSR and heatsink?

User avatar
LeeH
Under the Table
Posts: 1921
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2012 9:42 pm
Location: North Lincs
Contact:

Re: Advice needed on PID and ssr for 5500w element

Post by LeeH » Tue Aug 14, 2018 8:39 pm

'3. This unit should be used with SSR (see our 5A, 25A, 40A, 80A, 100A SSR), it's not compatible with solid state voltage regulators (SSVR). '
Sabro Single Hop NEIPA 25/02/20 CLICK ME to monitor progress with Brewfather & iSpindel

Tintomy
Sober
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2018 7:34 am

Re: Advice needed on PID and ssr for 5500w element

Post by Tintomy » Wed Aug 15, 2018 5:41 am

Great , thanks

simon12
Hollow Legs
Posts: 445
Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2014 2:58 pm

Re: Advice needed on PID and ssr for 5500w element

Post by simon12 » Wed Aug 15, 2018 11:20 am

I don't know much about PID controllers but for the HLT using a standard immersion element and its built in thermostat turned on the day before should work well as a cheaper option. I would think 1 5.5Kw element would keep about the correct rolling boil on that size without the need for any control, I am basing this purely on the 200l setup I used to own that 1 3Kw element kept a rolling boil and the second just helped get it there (which took ages but once there 1 was good to keep the boil).

Post Reply