put together a PID controller

[edsmith]

I put together a PID controller yesterday, I used auber componets, gave it a quick check out,it works fine, I guess I will have to read the manual, after I set the temp and unplug it then plug it in again, I have to reset the temp. I just bought a thermometer from noe, it is 125 degrees off. I put it into the melter, lee pro 4-20 new, while I was making a bracket for the thermocouple, it just did'nt seem right, the lead seemed a lot hotter then what the thermometer said, put the thermocouple in, it read 825, the thermometer read 700.I will adjust it later.the PID keeps the pot within 3 degrees either way of the set temp. the folks at aubers are first rate, I mistyped the wrong number of the PID when I ordered it, within 30 min. I got a e-mail from them, saying that the PID I ordered was not the right one for the SSR I also ordered, they corrected it for me. any company would just have sent the order as received. it saved me a lot of time and trouble.

[Mal Paso]

Congratulations! I ran mine last night. Best thing you can do for that Lee 4-20. Second best is blending alloy in a separate smelter. Haven't had a drip since I did that.

I think Auber is well worth the modest profit they make. Most of what they do is help first timers figure it out. The equipment they sell is rugged enough to take some mistakes.

[miestro_jerry]

Where can get a PID controller? I use separate melters for different alloys and a I use a dutch oven with a turkey fryer burner under neath to smelt my lead into usable sizes and workable alloys.

Jerry

[Mal Paso]

http://www.auberins.com/ are the people we were talking about. Some have found better deals on ebay and such but Auber has all the parts you need at a good price. There Are Worse Deals! Allied wants $206 for a controller similar to Auber's $45 unit.

Check out http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=115724 and the other PID Stickies.

[miestro_jerry]

Thanks, which one?

Jerry

[snuffy]

Thanks, which one? Jerry

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=106

Jerry, that's the one I'm using.

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_30&products_id=9

This SSR will be plenty for a lee 800 watt pot. You're only pulling about 7-8 amps, so 25 amps is plenty big. I went with a 40 amp, it doesn't even get warm.

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7&products_id=119

Then get this plug for the thermocouple. If you'd ever want to control more than one pot, you're already set up for plugging another TC into the PID box.

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20_3&products_id=27

I'm not sure which of these thermocouples you want, but this one has a 900 degree limit, which should be fine with an electric pot.

Definitely get the enclosure that Auber makes for the PID. It already has an opening cut in the end for the PID. You'll have to cut holes for the wires and a port for the TC plug, but everything should mount to the box.

[Mal Paso]

snuffy has it right, although the controller is better and cheaper than the one I got.

I mounted the $7 thermocouples http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20_3&products_id=2 in the bottom of 2 Lee 4-20s. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=115724&page=6

[miestro_jerry]

Thank you for the info, that will help me control the temp better than I have been.

Again,

Thanks
Jerry

[Mike W1]

You guys are going to cost me money! Two dumb questions before I start reading all the available threads on here though.

1. Am I correct in thinking the probe goes on the inside of the pot and does it interfere with fluxing?

2. Roughly speaking how much money am I gonna spend on this?

[kitsap]

You guys are going to cost me money! Two dumb questions before I start reading all the available threads on here though.

1. Am I correct in thinking the probe goes on the inside of the pot and does it interfere with fluxing?

2. Roughly speaking how much money am I gonna spend on this?

1. Yes, only a little interference but nothing major.
2. $200

The best $200 you will spend towards consistently making better bullets!

DougF

[MBTcustom]

Whats PID stand for? What language speakest thou vaguely?

[felix]

Proportional, Integral, Differential control system is what PID stands for. It is the mathematics involved in all engineering feedback loops. Strictly technical talk about the stability of circuits, be they for electricity or any thing fluid like within wires and pipes, etc. It is the job of the computer (ECU) controlling how much air and gas is mixed and WHEN by today's fuel injection systems, etc. ... felix

[MBTcustom]

So it control's the pot temperature directly?

[kbstenberg]

yes goodsteel you can just set it a forget it. Your PID can also control the temp. on your sizer heater
Mike I'm thinking the PID is closer to 125 unless you add some bells an whistles.

[snuffy]

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=106

^$42.55 Pid controller.

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_30&products_id=9

^$15.00 SSR

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7&products_id=166

^$22.32 Box for controller, also mounts the SSR, terminal strip, thermocouple plug.

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20_3&products_id=22

^$18.62- thermocouple-(TC)

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7&products_id=119

^$5.36

$103.85 for the 5 main components. You'll need some wire, wire connectors, and a crimping pliers. If you want the PID to control more than one pot, all you need is a way to plug the pot into the project box. One,(a plug), can be mounted on the side of the box, then wired into the circuit. Then, you can plug another pot or even a lube heater into the plug. In the case of the pot, you can move the TC from one pot to another. A lube heater will need a separate TC, that's where the TC plug comes in handy.

A note; The lead wires from the TC are usually way too long. Also, they have connectors that you would only use IF you were going to hard-wire the TC right to the terminal on the PID. Cut those connectors off, then cut enough of the TC wire to go from the inside of the TC plug to the terminals on the PID. Why? the wire must be the exact same wire that comes from the TC, has to do with resistance of the wire to current flow.
I'm no electronics eggspurt, but I read that on one of the other threads here on casting equip. or over on the special projects forum. It works(ed) for me!

[snuffy]

Here's the plug in so I can move the pid to another pot, or control a lube heater.

http://photos.imageevent.com/jptowns/general/websize/IMG_0335.jpg

And the TC plug;

http://photos.imageevent.com/jptowns/general/websize/IMG_0336.jpg

I got this project box from Marlin P. Jones company, should have got the one from Auber.

http://photos.imageevent.com/jptowns/bullets/websize/PB080101.JPG

http://photos.imageevent.com/jptowns/bullets/websize/PB080104.JPG

I got this huge heat sync, turns out the SSR doesn't even get warm. I went with a 40 amp, only drawing 8 amps, it does not heat up. You might need to use one for yours.

http://photos.imageevent.com/jptowns/bullets/websize/PB080106.JPG

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_30&products_id=45

^IF needed, $9.65

[Mal Paso]

Very nice! But your box is way better than Auber's!

[Mike W1]

Being I only cast pistol bullets anymore and without any actual problems don't think I can justify the cost of one of those setups. Can see where they'd be nice but it's something I guess I'll live without.

[Pigslayer]

1. Yes, only a little interference but nothing major.
2. $200

The best $200 you will spend towards consistently making better bullets!

DougF

I bought my PID for $26.00 shipped on Ebay. I bought my thermocouple, my SSR & my heat sinlk for about $16.00 total on Ebay. Don't understand why it would cost $200.00.:brokenima

[williamwaco]

I put together a PID controller yesterday, I used auber componets, gave it a quick check out,it works fine, I guess I will have to read the manual, after I set the temp and unplug it then plug it in again, I have to reset the temp. I just bought a thermometer from noe, it is 125 degrees off. I put it into the melter, lee pro 4-20 new, while I was making a bracket for the thermocouple, it just did'nt seem right, the lead seemed a lot hotter then what the thermometer said, put the thermocouple in, it read 825, the thermometer read 700.I will adjust it later.the PID keeps the pot within 3 degrees either way of the set temp. the folks at aubers are first rate, I mistyped the wrong number of the PID when I ordered it, within 30 min. I got a e-mail from them, saying that the PID I ordered was not the right one for the SSR I also ordered, they corrected it for me. any company would just have sent the order as received. it saved me a lot of time and trouble.

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I don't have a PID but I do have a NOE thermometer. It reads about what I would expect and pretty close to the thermostat gauge on my Saeco pot.

That said, I was surprised to note with the NOE thermometer that after about five minutes of casting with no stiring, there will be at least 100 degrees difference in the temperature one inch below the surface and one inch above the bottom.

[kitsap]

I bought my PID for $26.00 shipped on Ebay. I bought my thermocouple, my SSR & my heat sinlk for about $16.00 total on Ebay. Don't understand why it would cost $200.00.

Pigslayer,

You have a nice unit and shopped hard for your components. It will serve you well. I am one of many that will not deal with eBay because of how they treat the hunting and shooting community. By the time you purchase components from Auber and purchase other hardware (switches, lights, terminal board, screws, cords, plug socket, and etc.) you can be in to this project $200. Like anything else you can also build it with a used drop cord and a roll of electrical tape. I am retired and my time is worth more than to spend it slicing every penny off of a one off home hobby project.

DougF

[Pigslayer]

Pigslayer,

You have a nice unit and shopped hard for your components. It will serve you well. I am one of many that will not deal with eBay because of how they treat the hunting and shooting community. By the time you purchase components from Auber and purchase other hardware (switches, lights, terminal board, screws, cords, plug socket, and etc.) you can be in to this project $200. Like anything else you can also build it with a used drop cord and a roll of electrical tape. I am retired and my time is worth more than to spend it slicing every penny off of a one off home hobby project.

DougF

Actually my time spent searching for parts took about 1/2 hour . . . total. Auberins is a good source and reasonably priced and in that everything could be gotten from the for about $100.00. My post was not to discredit you or your estimated price. It is simply that a lot of posters here are feeding families and many times hand to mouth. I was simply offerring a viable alternative to a $200.00 price tag.
Especially in these economic times. Anyone reading this post is more than welcome to e-mail me for a list of my sources.
Fourty years ago I started reloading because it was fun . . . & cheap. I had a wife & two young children. Had I not chosen to handload I would have never been able to have the hunting/shooting experiences that I have had. Not all of us have the extra "$150.00" so we make due by looking for the best deal. Looking for the "best deal" sometimes "does" take time whether we like it or not as for many with families, they have no other choice. As my mother used to say: "Chinaman, Chinaman sitting on a fence, trying to make a dollar out of fifteen cents". My mother could do that. If you are retired & able to come up with the $200.00 simply as an optional whim, then I salute you. Many here can't. I hope you understand.