Finding an affordable and accurate temp controller.

pat_carnig · Joined: 18 Feb 2014 Posts: 8

I am building an eherms mash setup (will still be boiling with propane) and am on a budget. I'd like to use this element to hold the water temp in the HLT (http://www.homebrewstuff.com/2000-w-ss-heat-stick-w-weldless-gasket-kit.html) and am looking for an affordable yet accurate way to control it. Would the STC-1000 work for this application? I already have a GFCI protected circuit on my brew stand with a simple on/off switch for power to the pump and future temp controller, just need to find an affordable solution to controlling the actual heating element.

EDIT: I realize the link says 2000w element, but as you can see in the description it's actually 1500w.

foomench · Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 10:14 pm Post subject:

The STC-1000 units I found for 120V on eBay were limited to 10 amps, and you'll need more than that for a 1500W heating element. This isn't too surprising, as there are PIDs out there with internal relays, but those too are typically limited to 10 amps. If you want to control more amps, more $.

Also, it looks like that is just an on-off controller, which means if you are starting with cold water, you may very well overshoot your intended target temperature.

pat_carnig · Joined: 18 Feb 2014 Posts: 8

I think I've decided to go with the PID in case I ever want to upgrade to a full electric system. But since I am new to this I could use a little help. I've seen tons of wiring diagrams but they all control at least one element and a pump. I have a GFCI protected outlet with an on/off switch on my stand, this will work to turn on the pump and temp controller (each on their own outlet). So would I only need to wire the probe and power to the PID, the PID to the SSR and the SSR to the element? If any electrically savvy individuals were able to work up a quick simple wiring diagram of just 1 PID and 1 element that would be awesome.

foomench · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 3:54 pm Post subject:

If you buy a relay triggering PID, it will probably have a little diagram showing you most of what you need. Power goes to PID as indicated, temp probes as indicated, and two connections of the PID will go to the control side of the SSR (possibly the side with smaller terminals, although they might all be the same). Power goes to one "big" side of the SSR, the other side connects to your heating element.

For the Auber SYL-2352, here's the manual:
http://auberins.com/images/Manual/Manual%20version%203.4.pdf
There is a diagram for wiring up with an SSR and heater in section 5.3.

pat_carnig · Joined: 18 Feb 2014 Posts: 8

Thanks for digging up that manual Foo! That's exactly what I was looking for.