I need some help building a PID

[kbstenberg]

I am one of those people that can't understand electricity.
Could I get one of the members who understands what computer parts can be combined to make a PID to assist me. I would rather not show my ignorance in posts for everyone to laugh at.
I also have SKYPE so we could talk that way. Kevin

[Cmm_3940]

PM sent. The following thread was of great help to me.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?181319-Pid-Controller-Schematic

[leftiye]

The PIDs are for sale on eVil bAy purty cheap. All you need is one of these, a temperature probe which will work with both your application, and the PID, and - get an oversize, say 25 amp relay (the PIDs with the internal relays won't last long). Get a PID with output to relay (SSR), that way you won't have to modify the PID for external relay. The PID I got had a sticker saying what should be attached to each connection post on the PID. After that it's just getting connectors, and wiring it up. You can twist doorbell wire for most of the connections (I'm not too sure the voltage imput , which is 110, should use this fine wire, but I do believe the solid state PID uses only a tiny bit of current), and correct wire for the appliance at the in/out 110 volt side of the relay. And it has to have a resistor on the 110 volt power supply (should be integral already to the PID) or the PID would smoke instantly. I got a heat sink for the relay too.

[Walter Laich]

I used the metal case as a heat sink. Mounted the SSR on the outside and it's way in the back inside a wooden box I built to raise the post about 5 inches. Both front and back are open so there is an airflow through the box.
.
FYI think of electricity like plumbing. Good thing about electrons is they don't spill out all over the floor if you have an open wire vs open end of a pipe.

Good luck