Pid - Which One To Choose?

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bignath

"Grains don't grow up to be chips, son"
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Hi all,

cheers to all that have helped my out with my other thread - PID Newbie stuff.

I think i am nearly ready to order some things, but i want to run the options past you all to get some feedback as to which one to go with.

Have been thinking of the "bundled" units on ebay with the ssr and k probe all in the package, but if i'm gonna end up wanting to go with rtd pt100 sensor then i'm thinking of getting all the bits seperately, mostly from auberins.

OK, here are the choices for the PID's im considering...(of course if there are better ones than what im looking at please let me know).

1/16 SSR OUT, No ramp/soak:
http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_pag...p;products_id=3

1/16 SSR OUT, with ramp soak:
http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_pag...p;products_id=4

1/4 No ramp/soak, but can be ordered with SSR out, and ramp soak for additional cost:
http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_pag...products_id=102

Also considering one of the weldless rtd pt100's:
http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_pag...;products_id=85

SSR's and heatsink, i'm thinking of going locally to the Jaycar guys to keep them happy...

Thought's please.

Cheers,
Nath
 
1/16 SSR OUT, with ramp soak FTW!

I have been running one on my RIMS for a month or 2 now, and it still makes me smile as it auto steps the mash for me....

2c.
 
Just a quick Q, whats the 1/16 and 1/4 represent?


Shaun...
 
Just a quick Q, whats the 1/16 and 1/4 represent?


Shaun...

Im assuming physical size of the unit.

1/4 should be significantly larger than the 1/16 units i reckon.

But they look shallower in the pictures..
 
1/16 SSR OUT, with ramp soak FTW!

I have been running one on my RIMS for a month or 2 now, and it still makes me smile as it auto steps the mash for me....

2c.

thanks mate, so the extra money is worth it you reckon for auto temp ramping?
 
sure is, even if you dont use it to begin with it still leaves the option open
 
1/16 SSR OUT, with ramp soak FTW!

I have been running one on my RIMS for a month or 2 now, and it still makes me smile as it auto steps the mash for me....
If you want to automate your mash-steps, and smile each time it does it for you ... the Auber would be the duck's-nuts.

However, if cost is an issue and if you're comfortable adjusting the temperature at step-time (which takes about 2 seconds), an Ebay-sourced Sestos PID will cost 1/2 to 1/3 the price ($30 PID, or $40 PID + SSR + heatsink, $5 PT100).
 
While the Sestos kit from eBay is a good deal and convenient as it includes the SSR, I wish I'd gone for a PID with ramp/soak. Although like Cocko, I'd probably just stand there are grin at it instead of doing anything productive with the time freed up by an unattended step mash. :D

Definitely get the weldless RTD probe, and as I mentioned in the other thread, get the deluxe cable option. You still get the flimsy teflon coated cable which runs between your PID and the included panel mount connector which you mount in the side of your enclosure. You can then attach and detach the stainless braided cable easily between the panel mount and the probe.
 
Ramp/soak without a doubt, the 1/16 or 1/4 is the size of the unit itself. The 1/16 is what I have, never looked back. Not sure the extra $ is worth it for a sensor that can be disconnected from the cable, once set up, I think I have undone mine in three years maybe twice......
 
Im also interested in the 1/16 PID with ramp soak function. Just wondering what SSR I should buy with this. Will probably get the whole lot from Auberins.
 
thanks mate, so the extra money is worth it you reckon for auto temp ramping?


It was for me mate, that said, I was building an expensive rig and I thought why not go the extra with the controller and am glad I did...

As Wolfy said though, if you are shopping purely price driven there are plenty of other options that work as effectively.

Your choice to weigh up I guess.

With the probe, I just put in a simple XLR plug from Jaycar and manually adjusted the PID reading to account for the difference in resistance, calibrating it with a trusted probe therm... Seems to be spot on according to 2 other therms as cross references too.

3c.
 
It was for me mate, that said, I was building an expensive rig and I thought why not go the extra with the controller and am glad I did...

As Wolfy said though, if you are shopping purely price driven there are plenty of other options that work as effectively.

Your choice to weigh up I guess.

With the probe, I just put in a simple XLR plug from Jaycar and manually adjusted the PID reading to account for the difference in resistance, calibrating it with a trusted probe therm... Seems to be spot on according to 2 other therms as cross references too.

3c.

Cool.

re: XLR's..... Are you using a "k" thermocouple or the RTD type? I can get my hands on XLR's pretty easily (being a muso), and if you reckon it's pretty bloody accurate, then i may just go and get the whole kit off ebay.

Near full automation of temps would be pretty rad, but at the end of the day, all i'm really doing is trying to get more accurate temp control than my stc. At the moment when i want to mash out, i just manually re-enter set temp anyway, so from a hands on approach, my process won't change if my pid can't ramp/soak.

Might send you a pm too dude...

Cheers,

Nath
 
Cool.

re: XLR's..... Are you using a "k" thermocouple or the RTD type? I can get my hands on XLR's pretty easily (being a muso), and if you reckon it's pretty bloody accurate, then i may just go and get the whole kit off ebay.

Near full automation of temps would be pretty rad, but at the end of the day, all i'm really doing is trying to get more accurate temp control than my stc. At the moment when i want to mash out, i just manually re-enter set temp anyway, so from a hands on approach, my process won't change if my pid can't ramp/soak.

Might send you a pm too dude...

Cheers,

Nath


RTD type, PT100 with standard teflon cable. It has like mini xlr to the probe so can disconnect at that point, then I put a male xlr on my control box and a female on the lead.... will grab some pix for you when I get a moment... too easy.

Mate, if you don't need ramp/soak why pay for it.... that said, I remember buying my first burner to BIAB in a keggle I built and the mrs said "Are you sure you won't want to expand in the future, is this the right burner?"... I will never forget saying "No, this is all I will ever need!" HAHAHA!... still makes me laugh.

Anyway, buy once buy right and all that shit!

4c.
 
Cheers Cocko,

sent you a pm only a minute ago too.

thanks,

Nath
 
Ok,

Excuse the crap phone pix, the good cam is at a porn shoot....

Cable and end of sensor that is mounted in a disc that clamps into my rims tube:

IMG_0773.JPG

The back of the control panel:

IMG_0765.JPG

The control panel, which doesn't really mean much to this post but fick it, will post it:

IMG_0755.JPG


Hope it helps, if you need any more info, happy to help mate.. just holla.

:icon_cheers:




Edit: Need to clean back of control box :eek:
 
Definitely spend the extra on getting ramp soak for automated step mash. I got an ebay sesto with the ssr and heat sink which was great value but once the control panel was up and running the ramp soak function would have been ideal.
My 2c worth.
Also I have a auberins Rtd pt100 sensor available that is brand new imported from their site that you can buy. It would pair great with a auberins or sesto unit.

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_pag...products_id=261
 
cheers Cocko, kind offer mate...

SSR and heatsink stuff i'm right for. Got an electronics store in town who i know, been speaking to him about all this stuff too.

He can supply me with enclosure, heatsink, ssr, cabling, terminals, thermal paste, etc....
Only things he can't actually help me with are the PID itself, and the rtd probes.

Thanks again for the offer though.
 
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