New multi-controller build.
Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2015 8:34 pm
Hi.
Have decided to upgrade from my old sutronics burst fire controller which doesn't seem to like my newer boilers electronics to a combination of src and temperature controls.
Trying to make flavoured spirits without a power controller was a disaster for my pot still (de-refluxed LM head).
I decided to go with a STC-1000 which I had from years ago for mashing if I ever want to, a 10000 watt SCR controller for controlling the power, and a 40 amp PID controller for my boiler. Would've preferred an ally box but they didn't have one wide enough at jaycar.
I'll only ever run one at a time (probably) so they'll all be in the same box but wired independently to each other. The only exception is I'll be running the SCR controller through a power meter to get a bit of feedback what's going on. The power meter just has a hole the bale goes through so no physical connecting required. The other two will be either on or off depending on the temperature so full draw as required.
Here' all the bits laid out sans wire.
This is what they will look like roughly placed in the box. There's a 240volt fan on the top but don't think I'll need it. It's in place just in case it's needed. The IEC connectors (min 4 possibly 5 or 6) I'll be using have a lot of holes so will allow airflow through them. I'll have a fan cover on the top of the case with a filter and the fan will draw through it and blow out around the IEC connectors.
And here's what the front of the box will look like minus where the SCR potentiometer knob will go in the open space there on the right.
I tried to cut the holes with a Stanley knife but could see I going to make a mess of it so I'm going to take it to work on Monday night to get my hands on some scrap electrical cable for the wiring and some better tools. Plenty of gear I can borrow in the electrical workshop.
Any thoughts about the wiring as I'm not sure what the best way would be? I have a tame sparky that will happily look at the wiring when I've finished to check it's safe.
Have decided to upgrade from my old sutronics burst fire controller which doesn't seem to like my newer boilers electronics to a combination of src and temperature controls.
Trying to make flavoured spirits without a power controller was a disaster for my pot still (de-refluxed LM head).
I decided to go with a STC-1000 which I had from years ago for mashing if I ever want to, a 10000 watt SCR controller for controlling the power, and a 40 amp PID controller for my boiler. Would've preferred an ally box but they didn't have one wide enough at jaycar.
I'll only ever run one at a time (probably) so they'll all be in the same box but wired independently to each other. The only exception is I'll be running the SCR controller through a power meter to get a bit of feedback what's going on. The power meter just has a hole the bale goes through so no physical connecting required. The other two will be either on or off depending on the temperature so full draw as required.
Here' all the bits laid out sans wire.
This is what they will look like roughly placed in the box. There's a 240volt fan on the top but don't think I'll need it. It's in place just in case it's needed. The IEC connectors (min 4 possibly 5 or 6) I'll be using have a lot of holes so will allow airflow through them. I'll have a fan cover on the top of the case with a filter and the fan will draw through it and blow out around the IEC connectors.
And here's what the front of the box will look like minus where the SCR potentiometer knob will go in the open space there on the right.
I tried to cut the holes with a Stanley knife but could see I going to make a mess of it so I'm going to take it to work on Monday night to get my hands on some scrap electrical cable for the wiring and some better tools. Plenty of gear I can borrow in the electrical workshop.
Any thoughts about the wiring as I'm not sure what the best way would be? I have a tame sparky that will happily look at the wiring when I've finished to check it's safe.