Mini Digital Temperature Controller

[chris_reboot]

hmmm. good plan.
why didn't I think of that!

[Scooby]

It's all on page 1 & 2 of this thread

[chris_reboot]

doh!
so it is!
where's my beer glass...??

[WishboneBrewery]

Was there a verdict on these cheap temp controllers?

cheers

[chris_reboot]

get one mate.
v.happy with mine.
now powers up my kegerator (see sig below)
expect about 10-12 days delivery, but worth it.

[floydmeddler]

Was there a verdict on these cheap temp controllers?

cheers

Yep, all good at this end too. Controlled my Belgian Ale for a month solid with no problems. Highly recommend it!

[WishboneBrewery]

Good stuff Anyone tried one controlling a HLT?
I'm going to be needing two if they are capable of switching a Kettle element.
Cheers

Anyone got a probe recommend for a fixed HLT Temp probe?

[floydmeddler]

I have once and it worked a treat. I stopped though because it was mentioned on here that 13a is too high for them. However, check this post out from this very thread:

I used slave relays for my controlers, so the relays in the controler only switch the relays on and off...so they have much less work to do....i used these-

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/sear ... rm=420-340

i bought 5, only needed 4 (2 for the 2 ketle ellements for the HLT and 2 for the kettle ellements on the boiler) but thought it wise to have one spare.

Steve

All seems too complicated for me!

[WishboneBrewery]

Yeah, I'd like to keep things simple, though I could get a mate to do the wiring.

[Minimasher]

Anyone got a view as to whether these would be any good in a RIMS/ HERMS set up? I.e. instead of a PID/SSR?

[befuggled]

I use something similar to this on my HLT, because PID is overkill in this case.
However, PID is more suited to controlling the temperature of a flow.
Also, the PID pulse period is typically about 3 seconds; I would rather use a SSR than a mechanical relay here.

There are also issues with hysteresis and sensor accuracy. Adm swears by 0.1C resolution, I am happy enough with 1C!
K-type thermocouples are notoriously inaccurate be can be compensated for.
T-type are better but less common.
PT100 cost more but are less likely to need compensation.

If you are looking for PIDs on eBay at this time, there are some very miss-leading specifications.
I have just ordered one for a different job and it has arrived as thermocouple only, relay output rather than thermocouple/resistance and relay/SSR output which I ordered. The perpetrators have yet to respond....

[Minimasher]

Thanks befuggled. I won't get one of these just yet then...

I just find the whole PID/ SSR thing confusing and don't want to commit the cash until I know what I'm doing. Problem is I don't think Im ever gonna know what I'm doing with them!

...and if there's a chance of me getting ripped off on ebay then maybe I am better off as I am for the time being...

[dcq1974]

Just purchased one of these for my old freezer to carry out fermentation and then cold conditioning! Looks like they work fine. Anyone had any problems?

Regards
Darren

[floydmeddler]

Only success at this end. Highly recommended.

[WishboneBrewery]

Not wired mine up yet, anyone know what size Twin & Earth cable to wire from a Fused Spur???