PID boxes

[cheese1566]

Looking for ideas....
I am planning on building another PID controller. I cannot seem to find any project boxes that I like in size or cost(radio Shack here is all plastic.) I would like metal to aid in the disspipation of heat with the SSR.

What have some of you used for cheap boxes?
and can you post a pic?

I have one already made but scavenged the box from who-knows-where?
I have two boxes from computer power supplies, but would like to find something smaller.

This is what i already have and would like something similar.
5876758769

[Mal Paso]

If you can deal with 16ga Steel, Electric Supplys have boxes 4"x4"x4" and up in all 3 dimensions by increments of 2 inches. Like 6"x6"x4". With or Without Knockouts, in Interior or Raintite Styles. Seem to be less than half the price of aluminum project boxes.

I miss the electronic surplus stores I had available in the San Diego Area.

[HATCH]

I work for a Energy Management company. We build control panels.
We use alum and steel "junction boxes"
The pid for my star is in a 10x8x4 alum enclosure. My PID is a lot larger then yours.

We do have some 6x4x3 alum and some slightly larger ones too.

My current project is automating my star. I am using a 8x10x4 painted steel enclosures with knockouts.
My cost on that enclosure is around $10 or so. Its pretty inexpensive because I negotiated special pricing with the manufacturer.

[quasi]

This is the box I am using for my current build, I need to order two more.

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_34&products_id=262

they have smaller boxes as well.

[Frozone]

dipsticks.
https://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_208911_-1

[just.don]

Digikey has some.

http://www.digikey.com/?WT.term=digikey&WT.campaign=1048&WT.content=text&WT.medium=cpc&WT.source=google&cshift_ck=657123554cs501693903&WT.srch=1

[boltons75]

PC power supplies. I gutted a junk one and used that.

[cheese1566]

bingo!


dipsticks.
https://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10001_208911_-1

Very nice and cheap! (But same size as my computer supply boxes.)

[Gisli]

I used an old PC power supply. I gutted it and installed the controller + SSR inside. Using PC cables it
connects both to 240VAC and the regulated voltage out to my Lee 20 pot, plus the fan is there if my
25A SSR ever needs it. Inside the Lee pot, I bypassed the thermostat and connected the heating element
straight to the "regulated" 240VAC input.

[Superfly]

What is a pid and how do they work

I want to make a heaed base for my star and i also need one to control temp on a large vessel with about 20 gallons of fluid in it

What is a pid how do they work and where do u get them??


I here the term but really do not know what it is

Thanks jaime

[Walter Laich]

Superfly:

check this thread--gives you a great deal of info: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?115724-Project-PID-on-Lee-Pro-4-20-furnace

[cheese1566]

Lots of threads on it. Some are stickies up above.

Check with Frozone. He makes them up and does custom units too. I hear good things about his units and service.


What is a pid and how do they work

I want to make a heaed base for my star and i also need one to control temp on a large vessel with about 20 gallons of fluid in it

What is a pid how do they work and where do u get them??


I here the term but really do not know what it is

Thanks jaime