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Re: Element controller

PostPosted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 5:26 pm
by rumby
Spud, boo-whoo, life is tough (LOL).

There isnt enough time in the day. My days are numbered as the wife is nearly 15weeks with the twins, but i cant complian.

Re: Element controller

PostPosted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 5:49 pm
by reknaw
You may laugh now but week one of you having twins at home is the time I am going to laugh :lol: Your world is going to change as you know it........ That said they are awsome little animals - better than puppies or kittens.

Re: Element controller

PostPosted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 6:40 pm
by maheel
Spud1700 wrote: That said they are awsome little animals - better than puppies or kittens.


my little one wants a puppy and a kitten

i get to clean up the POO she tells me... lol

Re: Element controller

PostPosted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 7:02 am
by rumby
If she is really keen & needs any practice, there is heaps in my backyard.

Re: Element controller

PostPosted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 8:21 am
by maheel
rumby wrote:If she is really keen & needs any practice, there is heaps in my backyard.



lol she would just yell "DAD" at the top of her voice "there is dog POO in the yard".... lol :D

Re: Element controller

PostPosted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 12:50 pm
by hoppy
Hey spud just reading this old thread did you get that controller working did you need a fan as well as a heat sink plate? I was thinking of sending for one to use with a 2200 watt boiler :think:

Cheers Hoppy :mrgreen:

Re: Element controller

PostPosted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 12:57 pm
by MacStill
Hoppy,

Spud is no longer active on this forum ;)

If I were you I would use a PSR-25 for your controller, they are a proven & pretty easy to build unit that some members here can help you with 8-)

Re: Element controller

PostPosted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 1:40 pm
by hoppy
Okiedokie McStill Have looked at your build in the ammo box might have to go that way ,dont look too difficult :think: at worse i can only have sparks fly out my arse :o :laughing-rolling:

Cheers Hoppy

Re: Element controller

PostPosted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 1:50 pm
by MacStill
hoppy wrote:Okiedokie McStill Have looked at your build in the ammo box might have to go that way ,dont look too difficult :think: at worse i can only have sparks fly out my arse :o :laughing-rolling:

Cheers Hoppy


we have a few guys here that can guide you through it, we'll look after you..... if in doubt give us here a yell 8-)

Re: Element controller

PostPosted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 2:01 pm
by hoppy
McStill wrote:
hoppy wrote:Okiedokie McStill Have looked at your build in the ammo box might have to go that way ,dont look too difficult :think: at worse i can only have sparks fly out my arse :o :laughing-rolling:

Cheers Hoppy


we have a few guys here that can guide you through it, we'll look after you..... if in doubt give us here a yell 8-)[/quote


Thanks for the quick reply McStill :text-thankyoublue: will do if i get stuck :pray:

Cheers Hoppy :mrgreen:

Re: Element controller

PostPosted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 2:05 pm
by maheel
i know there are a few "cheaper" options than the PSR-25 and i even built one of the triac based one's for about $15 but it was a death trap waiting to happen and took me about 5 hrs of driving around to get the right parts.

in the end i bought the psr and pot from RS-online and it works, it is easy enough to build and seems rock solid

the $100 (max) is worth the investment i reckon

Re: Element controller

PostPosted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 2:13 pm
by MacStill

Re: Element controller

PostPosted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 2:13 pm
by hoppy
maheel wrote: maheel ยป Mon Nov 14, 2011 3:05 pm
i know there are a few "cheaper" options than the PSR-25 and i even built one of the triac based one's for about $15 but it was a death trap waiting to happen and took me about 5 hrs of driving around to get the right parts.

in the end i bought the psr and pot from RS-online and it works, it is easy enough to build and seems rock solid

the $100 (max) is worth the investment i reckon


Thanks for the info maheel :text-thankyoublue:

Cheers Hoppy :mrgreen:

Re: Element controller

PostPosted: Thu Nov 17, 2011 9:10 am
by Moonshine_Nova
Hi Guy's,

I've just been reading this thread as I am in the market for such a controller for my heating element. I have a couple of questions,

1) is there a DIY section on how to build these things and is the F175-25A filter needed to be used with the PSR-25.

Cheers

Re: Element controller

PostPosted: Thu Nov 17, 2011 10:19 am
by maheel
see here PSR does seem to be the best and "easiest" IMO

viewtopic.php?f=24&t=516

as for DIY make sure yo know enough about what your doing or get a sparky to sort it out.....
it's not complicated but you need to be safe with 240V

i dont have the filter, not 100% sure it's needed on what we are doing, i tried to get it to interfere with radio but could not get it to effect my old radios
who knows if energex etc can 'hear" it ?

i now have a dedicated 15amp line for my shed and use that but is does go back to the fuse box ?

Re: Element controller

PostPosted: Thu Nov 17, 2011 2:20 pm
by Moonshine_Nova
Cheers Maheel,

Thanks for the direction

Re: Element controller

PostPosted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 10:33 pm
by steveoconner
I would be interested in designing a element control system with temperature monitoring to keep exact temperature if anybody wants to get in touch maybe we could share the costs as I intend to use the design in future projects for other stills. Cheers

Re: Element controller

PostPosted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 10:38 pm
by steveoconner
Just a quick mail to point people in the best direction by using zero crossing controls for elements this really stops all the noise and crap that filters try and remove. Controllers can be designed to give very close temperature control by using pid type controls too. I can't believe nobody has built a universal element and temp control unit yet that is cheap and reliable. always fuse you control boxes on the light side if you can too.

Re: Element controller

PostPosted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 10:42 pm
by Panda
steveoconner wrote:I would be interested in designing a element control system with temperature monitoring to keep exact temperature if anybody wants to get in touch maybe we could share the costs as I intend to use the design in future projects for other stills. Cheers

How much would this cost me?

Re: Element controller

PostPosted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 10:49 pm
by Panda
steveoconner wrote:Just a quick mail to point people in the best direction by using zero crossing controls for elements this really stops all the noise and crap that filters try and remove. Controllers can be designed to give very close temperature control by using pid type controls too. I can't believe nobody has built a universal element and temp control unit yet that is cheap and reliable. always fuse you control boxes on the light side if you can too.

I'm not clued up on this stuff but this is my understanding

A simple oven thermostat would suit your described needs?
A zero cross relay will simply switch the circuit on and off, not trim voltage like a leading or trailing edge dimmer/voltage controller?
What do you mean by light side?