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Hot Topic (More than 10 Replies) PID (Read 6862 times)
Red Cent
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PID
Nov 28th, 2017 at 11:25pm
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Read about these the other day. Don't remember where. What month is this?

Do any of you folk use one?

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bpsmoke
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Re: PID
Reply #1 - Nov 29th, 2017 at 7:46am
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Yeah, I made one several years ago. Works great.
  
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nuclearcricket
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Re: PID
Reply #2 - Nov 29th, 2017 at 8:09am
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I made one also and use it with a #20 Lee pot. I like it. To me it seems the pot comes up to temp a little quicker and maintains an even temp. I don't cast all that much at this time but what casting I have done with both big and small bullets seems to run nicely.
The only issues I realy ran into is just understanding the instruction on programing the PID. Other than that it wasn't hard to build. I made mine a little different than what you might see from others but it was my choice to do it that way. I am pretty sure I am into it less than $150. That being said mine is different and I am sure that the price could be lowered by not doing some of the things I did.
Sam
  
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Lefty38-55
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Re: PID
Reply #3 - Nov 29th, 2017 at 8:38am
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That’s Roy’s website ... he posts on here often, if you needed any follow up.
  
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bnice
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Re: PID
Reply #4 - Nov 29th, 2017 at 8:44am
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To me they are well worth using. Temp holds set temp within a few degrees wether but is full or low. No more adjusting to maintain within 25-50 degrees. I made mine and did it for under $50
  
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craigd
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Re: PID
Reply #5 - Nov 29th, 2017 at 3:09pm
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An inexpensive PID without the ssr, but with a probe (thermocouple) can be a really handy thermometer. It could be an option to monitor mold temp. while casting as was brought up in the hot plate thread.
  
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marlinguy
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Re: PID
Reply #6 - Nov 29th, 2017 at 3:24pm
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They sell them as kits all over Ebay for $30 complete with thermocouple and relay. Just need to buy a box to mount it all in and wire it.

  
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nuclearcricket
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Re: PID
Reply #7 - Nov 29th, 2017 at 6:41pm
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Where my added expense was is in the larger box, the ssr, and the receptacles. I dont mind the extra money I spent because I wanted it built a certain way and that  is what I did. you can surely save money by hard wiring everything but I wanted to be able to take everything apart for storage. Best thing I can suggest is shop, compare prices and such and then move forward with your build.There is a lot of good information out there and quite a bit on one of the cast bullet forums. I just can't remember what one off the top of my head. 
Sam
  
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Mike65
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Re: PID
Reply #8 - Nov 29th, 2017 at 7:25pm
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This will get you started.

Mike
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marlinguy
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Re: PID
Reply #9 - Nov 29th, 2017 at 8:09pm
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I bought a PVC box for under $10, and a 6' extension cord to use for input/output power. I installed the controller through the lid so I can view it, but put relay inside to keep all connections safely inside. Cut the cord in half and wired it into the box with cord connectors. 
I plug the box into the outlet, and then plug the pot into the box. When done I just unplug it all and store it together. I left the male cord end long to easily locate the box, and female end short since the pot has a long cord.
  
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Red Cent
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Re: PID
Reply #10 - Nov 30th, 2017 at 6:03pm
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Would this work?

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Mike65
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Re: PID
Reply #11 - Nov 30th, 2017 at 6:54pm
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The unit only goes to 210 degrees F, if I looked at the right one.

You'll need your PID to get to 700 to 800 degrees F depending on what you and your mold(s) like to cast at.

If you buy components to make your own watch for C or F depending on where you are or if you don't mind doing conversions.   

Mike
  
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nuclearcricket
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Re: PID
Reply #12 - Nov 30th, 2017 at 8:42pm
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Also you will need a ThermoCouple that is long enough to reach to the bottom of the pot. They say it should be located about 1/4" or so off of the bottom. Ebay is a good place to pick up the controler, but I would suggest that you find one being sold by a company located in the US just incase you have any questions. I had questions when I got mine and it was nice to be able to contact them and get a reply back quickly. 
The build is not hard, wiring diagrams are available on line and also come with the controller I think. Only snag I ran into when I built mine was a wire I had cut a bit short and in the final assembly  it got pulled out. I just had to replace the wire with one a bit longer is all. 
Sam
  
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Red Cent
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Re: PID
Reply #13 - Nov 30th, 2017 at 11:41pm
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I'm thinkin' this'n will work. 

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texasmac
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Re: PID
Reply #14 - Dec 1st, 2017 at 12:18am
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You guys may be interested in an article I posted a few months ago on PID controllers.

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Wayne
  
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