PID questions

StirCrazy · #1 03-10-2010, 03:45 AM

hmm reading up on the Arduino, little bit harder to get probes and such that can be stuck into a roast. might be more simple for me just to use the PIDs and have two of them.

Steve

ScubaSteve · #2 03-10-2010, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

hmm reading up on the Arduino, little bit harder to get probes and such that can be stuck into a roast. might be more simple for me just to use the PIDs and have two of them.

Steve

Nah, I don't think you'll have a problem. You'd be surprised what probes you can get that can be stuck into a roast. Heck, I could help you find some of the lab grade probes I use at work for cheap. Shoot me a PM and I can help you out. You can even pull the probe off of an old digital meat thermometer.

I found a few links to people using arduinos for smokers if you haven't already found them:

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/for...?postid=455330
http://techblips.dailyradar.com/stor...e_thermometer/
http://www.casualhacker.net/blog/201...-brown-smoker/
http://qpidproject.blogspot.com/

I say give'r a go. If I can use an Arduino to control my $15K experiment set-up remotely, I'm sure it can do a smoker as well.

If you don't go Arduino route, try ebay for PID controllers. You'd be surprised what you can find.

Lampshade · #3 03-10-2010, 07:21 AM

I used to use Omron E5CK Temp controllers for near everything. The PID is extreamly smart, and has a communication channel for multiple settings. You can pick them up off ebay pretty easy, I've managed to get most of mine for < $20. Any questions let me know.

Heres a link to a spec sheet:
http://www.ia.omron.com/product/fami...index_fea.html

banditpowdercoat · #4 03-10-2010, 01:37 PM

This Arduino looks intriguing.... I'm going to have to look into it further

DiverDude · #5 03-10-2010, 07:26 PM

If you want to try the Ardunio (or any other micro), you can got to my old company (still being run by someone else) here in Calgary so you don't have to deal with international shipping:

www.HVWTech.com

ScubaSteve · #6 03-11-2010, 01:00 AM

Dude, that's a whole website of fun you got there! who needs to shell out $200+ for a tank control system when I could shop there.

I heard rumors that they are giving away free Arduino to Canreef-ers...

DiverDude · #7 03-11-2010, 03:10 AM

Weeellll...it's just a different form of addiction. If you ever thought it'd be cool to own an aquarium-related business, let me tell you: if you love it that much, don't do it as a biz ! I was nuts for the electronics thing; started and ran that company for 10 years and in the end wanted nothing to do with it.

I still have a lot of equipment and tools but I still dread it a bit. I'm thinking that I'll eventually warm back to it and a fun project controlling parameters of a tank could be just the project to do that.