PID to control rims

[Secla]

does anyone have any plans/diagrams/instructions for a simple PID setup to control a rims tube including what parts etc. and best places to get them ?
Bit of a novice when it comes to to electronics, Brewbuilder does a prebuilt controller buts its a bit pricey

[Wonkydonkey]

I guess it's a bit like the electric brewery (part of it), only that it would be heating the rims, so I bit complicated but if you look/take it bit by bit. Then it's not that hard IMHO.
So it would take some thought and a bit of time to do it. But I guess that's why its a bit pricey from a LHBS.

[AFewTooMany]

If I had the money I'd go for a stainless rims which can be taken apart for cleaning and stick a 3kw low watt density home brew builder element in. But I don't. So I think a small pot herms is a much cheaper solution. Small second hand pot, cheapo argos kettle element, copper coil and a Chinese pid and ssr. Shouldn't be more than £40 if you have/can borrow qmax and crimping tool from somewhere.



PID system below can be used for either rims or herms



Just for reference I would recommend if you use a Chinese ssr to get the 40A one as they are not well made. So lots of safety factor is needed. Also use them with a heat sink just in case

[Secla]

Cheers for that, the brew builder rims tube and element is what I'd be going for
Any suggested supplier/brand of pigs/ssrs etc.

[AFewTooMany]

Cheers for that, the brew builder rims tube and element is what I'd be going for
Any suggested supplier/brand of pigs/ssrs etc.

Sorry thought as you'd said pricey that you were doing it on a budget. If you are looking at a decent PID (not Chinese from eBay) you'll be almost as much as the brew builder one anyway. For the ease of it I'd just get that if you are ordering other stuff from there. Just my opinion mind

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[Secla]

£260 for there control unit, which probably uses a cheap Chinese pid

[AFewTooMany]

£260 for there control unit, which probably uses a cheap Chinese pid

Presumed incorrectly that the hlt controller was a pid £260 quid is mental.

Always heard people raving about auber instruments. You can get pid, ssr and probe from them. And it's a good time to buy from the us apparently
http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_ ... ex&cPath=1

[Fil]

when looking at pid controllers i opted to go for the cheaper Sestos brand via ebay, similar in operation and parameter setting to the auber models so the online auber manual is very relevant and helps as the cheap chinese boxes come with basic wiring diagrams ( good enough for me) and a simple list of parameters with little information as to their effect and relevance.

page 5 in this pdf lays out a basic rims system, for elements with rims i would suggest 100% ss or incolly elements as they will be in direct contact with the beer

[orlando]

£260 for there control unit, which probably uses a cheap Chinese pid

Mine uses an Auber PID.

[Secla]

Is that a brewbuilder unit ?
260 just seemed slot considering price of components

[AnthonyUK]

I also use a Sestos which has been working for 4-5 years now.
The one I wouldn't recommend is the Rex C100.

This is my basic circuit for the Sestos

[orlando]

Is that a brewbuilder unit ?
260 just seemed slot considering price of components

Yes. It is a lot only time will tell if it is good value.

[Wonkydonkey]

Oh, don't forget you will need a heat sink for the SSR, and I can't remember if I used the thermo paste between the heat sink and SSR on my electric brewery

Edit : I'm sure I did use the Thermo paste, other wise I'm sure the SSR would have fried by now.

[guypettigrew]

Where on the Brewbuilder site did you find the £260 controller? I've hunted around but can only find temperature controllers at about £90.

Guy

[orlando]

Where on the Brewbuilder site did you find the £260 controller? I've hunted around but can only find temperature controllers at about £90.

Guy

There are pictures of it on his old site but there is no pricing now, that sounds about right though.