Cheap simple Voltage Controller.

[Panda]

First things first.
The information contained in this post is provided for informational and educational purposes only, and only intended for use by qualified electricians and electrical workers. I will not be held liable for any injury or damage to property as a result of un-qualified and DIY'ers carrying out their own un-licenced electrical work. Not only is it dangerous, but also illegal. Only suitably qualified electricians are legally able to carry out electrical work. Please do not be offended if I refuse to go into further detail to assist you in wiring this up. I do not claim this design meets applicable AS/NZ standards. It is extreamly important all electrical work is tested by a compitent person.

So, if you want a cheap, simple "PSR-25 style" heat controller for your still and know a sparky that can piece it together and test it, here is how to make one.

Purchase one of these relays depending on the size of your still;
http://www.uxcell.com/search.php?categories_id=1926&keywords=%22voltage+resistance%22&selectSearch=1

If the relay you select does not come with a Heat sink, purchase one of these 2;
http://www.uxcell.com/black-metal-heat-dissipation-mountable-heatsink-solid-state-relay-radiator-p-139013.html
http://www.uxcell.com/aluminum-heat-sink-for-single-phase-solid-state-relay-p-131981.html

Purchase the following Voltmeter;
http://www.uxcell.com/85l1-0250v-rectangle-analog-volt-panel-meter-gauge-p-132018.html

Purchase a Type B linear 3pin potentiometer that meets the requirements of your selected relay, you will find one between Uxcell and ebay cheap.

Purchase some thermal compound (heat sink goo) from ebay to smear between the the heat sink and relay. I got 3 syringes for $1 and only needed half a syringe.

Put together as shown;

[Panda]

If you get creative you may end up with something like this (I found the voltmeter to be sufficient and ammeter to be redundant and over complicates things so I have removed it from future designs.)

[MacStill]

Hey maheel check the box out :laughing-rolling: :laughing-rolling: :laughing-rolling:

Nice job Panda, real nice...........

Thanks :mrgreen:

[Panda]

Got any pics of yours?

[MacStill]

Got any pics of yours?

:mrgreen:

[Panda]

Iv'e started a cult. I will have to step it up for the next one!

Ordering gear as we speak

[maheel]

great work Panda thats good value compared to a the RS-online PSR-25

might have to order some parts and make a 2nd one at that price :)

cheers

[eminiM]

My Pint-O-Shine triac controller bit the dust this morning. Blew some traces right off the circuit board. I've ordered both the 25 and 40 amp modules from your link Panda. Expected delivery to Canada in about 30 days.

That's a super simple and cheap way to make a controller. Thanks for that!







ThankGodI'veGotEnoughVodkaToLastFor30DaysEminiM

[eminiM]

I've ordered both the 25 and 40 amp modules from your link Panda. Expected delivery to Canada in about 30 days.

They actually arrived yesterday!

If it weren't for the inscription you couldn't tell 'em apart?

I wired up the 25amp unit and fired up the still on a 4500 watt element. It's working perfectly and putting out far less heat than my triac control did!

Thanks again Panda!

[Panda]

Good to hear, would of hated to recommend that site and have it screw people around

[Panda]

Making A 15 amp one now. Will be a little different but hopefully just as pretty.

Ive seen a lot of posts about these cheapo relays and links to this thread but how many people are actually using them?
Anyone had a failure yet with relay or meter? Found poor control compared to other controllers?

[Panda]

New one incorporates a 240volt ac fan. May interest some people, may not.

http://www.uxcell.com/search.php?categories_id=&keywords=axial+fan&selectSearch=1

[eminiM]

Here's a nice controller with built in low voltage fan circuit.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10000W-With-fan ... 3373b464f7

[Panda]

Here's a nice controller with built in low voltage fan circuit.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10000W-With-fan ... 3373b464f7

Be careful, it is rated for 220v

Will be good to see how it goes, the PSR-25s days look to be numbered in distilling

[eminiM]

Here's a nice controller with built in low voltage fan circuit.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10000W-With-fan ... 3373b464f7

Be careful, it is rated for 220v

Will be good to see how it goes, the PSR-25s days look to be numbered in distilling

I don't think the PSR-25 is on the way out. Just nice to have alternatives no? I like the low turn on characteristics and built in fan on this one. Also includes a snubber circuit built in to clean up noise. Noise on the PSR-25 has been a small annoyance for me. It screws up the digital clock on my kitchen range on the same circuit.
Comments from the seller made to Kiwi over at Artisan.

from the seller:

Yes, it can be used to 260V.
The if you want a 380 the input, we also have.
We can also custom-made

[Goldie]

Thanks for the info.
Where did those vents come from Panda?

[Panda]

Thanks for the info.
Where did those vents come from Panda?

RS Online.

[YHB]

Making A 15 amp one now. Will be a little different but hopefully just as pretty.

Ive seen a lot of posts about these cheapo relays and links to this thread but how many people are actually using them?
Anyone had a failure yet with relay or meter? Found poor control compared to other controllers?

I have one although I have only used it for testing & cleaning runs for up to two hours.

The control seems positive and with an 80mm fan does not get past "warm".

I have also used "cheap" gauges and despite many posts on other sites with people saying that they do not have a shunt fitted, mine have not gone up in a puff of smoke.

Overall I am very satisfied with the set-up, many thanks to all for all the input.

SSR.jpg

I though that it was an essential part of the design that the controller has to be "Panda Blue"

DSC00820.JPG

Toodlepip

Brian

[Panda]

Very nice
I hope you used a wood screw to earth your box :laughing-rolling:

[Brigand]

Hi Fellas

Looking to make one of these up using a 3800W voltage regulator



I assume that it replaces the relay and pot in the diagram

Is there any benefit of wiring in an amp meter as well as a voltmeter?

Also with the earth does that get connected to the little loop that protrudes or do these gadgets not require earthing assuming it's all housed in a plastic jiffy box?

Thought I'd check before :scared-shocked:

Cheers