PID questions

[ScubaSteve]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

hmm just read over 100 topics on a forum and it seams all they are good for is blinking lights and making robots no one using them for temp control it seams.

Steve

Dude, look at the first link I posted for ya. It has exactly what you are looking for including code! You'd just need to modify it a bit for the second sensor.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by ScubaSteve

Dude, look at the first link I posted for ya. It has exactly what you are looking for including code! You'd just need to modify it a bit for the second sensor.

yup I was looking at that one actualy. I am a member of that forum and it caught my eye the other day.

I guess the one big question I have is, is there a place I can go online to learn about all this stuff. like a "for dummies write up" pr PDF file I can download that will explain how to assemble code and upload it.. I guess the hardware part is easy enough.. figure out what you need and put it togeather. but it is the programing side that has me hesident.

I see the the programing and such from that smoking meat forum but I have no idea what to do with it.

Steve

[banditpowdercoat]

I'd love to play around with Arduino, but I have so many other things on the go. No darn time LOL But, if there was a PDF for dummies... LOL Hmmm

[DiverDude]

Just about any micro can control just about anything; it's all a question of how easy it is (relative to other micros). Some are better for some things than others.

If you're looking for code on how to control a 1200W element, you likely won't find it. If however, you look for code/info on controling high-current AC loads, you'll most certainly find things. This is where the electronics knowledge/understanding comes in. You rarely find exactly what you want so you have to know enough to make the necessary changes for your application.

Like I said before, there is a learning curve to this and not only will you need to learn how to program your specific controller (Arduino) but you'll need to grasp some microcontroller and electronics concepts as well. Not to pee on your parade but given where you are today, you can expect this project to take months to complete. When you are done though, you'll be in a position to make other things in a much shorter time-frame.

I'll say it again: If you just want to make the smoker work, then desigining your own controller is not for you. It's as much about the journey as the destination !

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by DiverDude

Just about any micro can control just about anything; it's all a question of how easy it is (relative to other micros). Some are better for some things than others.

If you're looking for code on how to control a 1200W element, you likely won't find it. If however, you look for code/info on controling high-current AC loads, you'll most certainly find things. This is where the electronics knowledge/understanding comes in. You rarely find exactly what you want so you have to know enough to make the necessary changes for your application.

Like I said before, there is a learning curve to this and not only will you need to learn how to program your specific controller (Arduino) but you'll need to grasp some microcontroller and electronics concepts as well. Not to pee on your parade but given where you are today, you can expect this project to take months to complete. When you are done though, you'll be in a position to make other things in a much shorter time-frame.

the electronics is the easy part, I have no problem with that as I used to do a lot of electrical and electronics with work. but the electronic part for me has been designing single purpose circuts with relays, opamps, diods, limit switches ect.. not computer chips. I have found several projects that will do what I consider simular but the issue is the programing. I can pick up on it quite easy but I need to know where to start learning the programming. by the looks of it it won't be to difficult as I use to play with a bit of C++ back in the day but that was a while ago. So I guess I need to relearn code and how to combine codes and load them on the chip.

now another concern I have is can this set up have multiple selectible programs on it. so when it first starts up I can pick a sausage program or a constant temp program.

Steve

[StirCrazy]

ok so I found some answeres, can have two programs in memory at once so I would have to upload the one I want to use.

found some good programing basics pages and looks like my best bet is to buy a starter kit and play and then buy some addons.

now the different flavors of the boards.... I was looking at the mega and now I have been reading a bunch on the Duemilanove, and I have read that you can also get it with a built on wifi.. so what is the differnace between the mega and the Duemilanove that would make either more desiriable for some one like me who is starting out?

Steve

[StirCrazy]

ok so looking around would this be a good kit to order for playing around?

http://www.hvwtech.com/products_view.asp?ProductID=1205

I figure it has a temp probe so I could play by getting it to turn off and on lights at different temps.

Steve