Building HeaterMeter PID - DIY

[DivotMaker]

Nice, Tony!  Sure seems to hold a tight temp!

 

[tnlyne]

Yeah... it was off by 0.2º... I think I could tell it was off after trying it tonight. I'm gonna have to do something to get it calibrated and fix it for the next smoke. 

 

[SuperDave]

It's starting to look like the back of my entertainment center with all those wires.  LOL!!!

 

[tnlyne]

Hey... I just found the HeaterMeter also has an Android application called PitDroid... Check it out here:


https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bonstead.pitdroid

 

[tnlyne]

Well, my PID control died in the middle of my spatchcock chicken smoke tonight. I caught it within 30 mins and flipped my switch to finish the smoke on stock controller. After dinner I took apart the smoker and found that I should NOT have mounted the solid state relay right next to the heating element inside the unit. I was controlling my smoker to go near the 325º temperature and on the climb in temperature it got hot, melted my PID control wires together (low voltage short) and warped the Solid State Relay (SSR). So, I took it out of there and prepared to setup the SSR and heatsink for mounting outside and under the smoker. I fixed the shorted control wires and have now placed another SSR on order.


I feel this new installation area will work out but only time will truely tell.

 

[BedouinBob]

Run Roe! 

 

[tnlyne]

She be back to normal in a couple of days when my new SSR arrives. 

 

[DivotMaker]

All part of R&D, I guess!  At least you found out early-on in the process!

 

[tnlyne]

I more happy it was a simple failure that didn't result in a fire during a critical smoke. At least I learned a lesson not to put heat sensitive devices near the heating element.

 

[DivotMaker]

I more happy it was a simple failure that didn't result in a fire during a critical smoke. At least I learned a lesson not to put heat sensitive devices near the heating element.

When I look back at your initial install pics, I smacked my head and couldn't believe I didn't catch that either!  Must have been a real "duh" moment when you saw what happened! :-[

 

[tnlyne]

Well, I knew it would be warm back there... Just didn't know "how" warm. Oh well... only a $10 loss.

 

[gregbooras]

Tony,

Very impressive project, It has been a long time since I have broken out a soldering iron and built something like this!

Congrats, lots of work!

Greg

 

[tnlyne]

Thanks Greg... It is a fun project to play around with. And it's more useful to me than an Auber.

 

[tnlyne]

I got my new SSR mounted today in a location it hopefully won't melt this time. Here are some pictures of my new setup.

 

[Trip]

Good job with the heatermeter.

Now this is more my speed than the Auber, I may have to join you on this journey.

 

[tnlyne]

I have a 2nd unit built and am willing to sell it. If you don't want to mess around with the building process send me a private message and we can talk about price. It's not cheap to build but it's neat and full of features.

 

[Trip]

Appreciate the offer, it's already too late for me.  I ordered the PCB already, LoL.

This should be a lot cheaper for me to build than an Auber purchase.  I have access to most of the standard components, will just need to get some of the surface mount ones and more specific items like the control button/probe connections.  I have a raspberry pi lying around my house not doing anything and a few maverick probes.

How did you get in touch with Tom Kole?  Want to get one of his cases.

 

[Trip]

Also, is there a thread for switching the blower over to the SSR control?  Don't have any of the stuff yet, wanted to do some reading.

 

[tnlyne]

You can private message Tom Kole on the HeaterMeter forum for a case.

I can help you with the SSR control. Not much to it other than the wiring and which one to purchase. I think I had the details in this thread?

 

[Trip]

I can help you with the SSR control. Not much to it other than the wiring and which one to purchase. I think I had the details in this thread?

Talking more on the software side about setting up to heat instead of cool.  Is that pretty easy as far entering the settings for it?

I think I have the exact same SSR as you on hand already from my christmas lights project.

Do you think mounting underneath is the only option?  I was considering mounting on the side up top close to where you put the dpdt switch and trying to get my first two pieces of insulation on the inside of it.