Another PID & a question

[Mike W1]

Built another controller for my feeder pot and used a REX C100 and a homebuilt box so my other one can just sit on top. Tried it tonight and it maintained 335° C just fine after just setting the temperature.

Question is if I wanted to auto tune it and changed the ATU parameter from 0 to 1, I would assume the AT light would either light up or flash while tuning and quit when done tuning. Would the unit then automatically reset that parameter to Zero again or do I have to do that manually?

Think I'll be happy with this little guy. Not as nice as my Aubers PID but it cost one heck of a lot less. On the bright side I ordered it off ebay night of the 12th and it was in the mailbox the 18th from China. I was completed shocked by that much speed of delivery. Couple pictures while I'm at it.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u310/Mike4245/REX101914f_zps0448c2eb.jpg
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u310/Mike4245/REX101914b-Copy_zps0121242f.jpg
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u310/Mike4245/2-PIDS-Copy_zps059fc0d1.jpg

[dikman]

Looking good, Mike :drinks:. Yep, set the parameter to 1, the AT will flash while it's tuning and then when it's finished the LED will go out and it will reset the parameter to 0 (as you surmised).

It takes longer than that for me to ship something from one side of Australia to the other!!

[el34]

Looks great!

Where'd you get your TC panel mount connector?
What do the lights do (both controllers)?

[Mike W1]

Only place I found the TC panel mount connector was Aubers. Both my units have green lights for when I throw the switch to power up and they both have one that comes on when the unit's applying power to the lead pots. The other one (black box) has red lights that come on with Alrm1 & Alrm2, Hi & Lo. The REX C100 I got apparently only has one Alrm and I didn't even bother to hook it up to anything. Got the lights at Radio Shack and they came in pairs and figured I'd use em' all on the first one. I like my toys so had to have a couple more on this one!


Looks great!

Where'd you get your TC panel mount connector?
What do the lights do (both controllers)?

[Mike W1]

Figured maybe that's the way it would be. Too bad those translations to English aren't as good as their shipping service seems to be. And apparently there are a LOT of variations of REX C100's.

Gonna have to get the maps out and see where Sth Oz is. Would have liked to had a peek at your fine country but that'll never happen unless I win the lottery (and I don't play it).

Looking good, Mike :drinks:. Yep, set the parameter to 1, the AT will flash while it's tuning and then when it's finished the LED will go out and it will reset the parameter to 0 (as you surmised).

It takes longer than that for me to ship something from one side of Australia to the other!!

[dikman]

I've never understood why these Chinese (and some other Asian countries) manufacturers don't hire someone to do a proper English translation of their manuals. In the case of these "single sheet" instructions it wouldn't be a big job.

I just realised that you put all the connectors on the front. I've always put them on the back, 'cos that's they way electronic kits and projects have always been done, but in this case putting them on the front makes sense, particularly if it has to be set up/removed each time it's used (which I have to do). Oh well, the next one I make.......

[Mike W1]

I just did some searching for Frozone's web site and I notice he has those panel jacks for sale also. FWIW
http://conninv.com

[el34]

Link no workee. I kinda miss the guy and would like to visit his site. He had limited social skills but was a pretty sharp guy with a good product.

[Mike W1]

http://jconninv.com
Helps when the nitwit that posts a link and types it wrong and looks again. This one should work.

I take it you don't have a lot more to do tonight than I? Almost like PMing.

[el34]

http://jconninv.com
Helps when the nitwit that posts a link and types it wrong and looks again. This one should work.

I take it you don't have a lot more to do tonight than I? Almost like PMing.
I have a negative view of facebook based on why it's attractive to people, then realize CB is probably the equivalent for me and who knows how many others. :coffeecom

Thanks for the corrected link. I'm always impressed by entrepreneurial efforts and Frozone gets my respect. And I see he stole my idea of monitoring mold temp just before I had it.

[Mike W1]

I have a negative view of facebook based on why it's attractive to people, then realize CB is probably the equivalent for me and who knows how many others. :coffeecom

Thanks for the corrected link. I'm always impressed by entrepreneurial efforts and Frozone gets my respect. And I see he stole my idea of monitoring mold temp just before I had it.

Our views on Facebook mesh. I tried looking at some of the garble my offspring put on there and told them if they want me to see pix of their kids to email them to me. But I too have spent a lot of time on this forum and have learned a lot. Guy should have one other vice than being a smoker! I suppose Frozone could rub some the wrong way but I picked up a lot from what he posted and don't get too excited if someone might say something politically incorrect. Wish they hadn't done the ban thing on him. Hurt us more than him for sure. He did make a post or two on CBA's forum but nice a site as it is I don't find a lot to read on there as I'm not a one-hole rifle shooter.

[Beagle333]

When you get serious about monitoring.... get this baby and really be on top of things! :holysheep
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rackmount-Panel-of-30-Omega-Thermocouple-Plug-Connector-Female-CH-AL-Type-K-/181553930220?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a45751fec

[Mike W1]

I also found panel jacks on tcdirect.com but a $10 shipping charge. Frozone's site seems to be acting up or I'd have given him a try. Aubers shipping was usually $7.38 which is stiff enough for something that sometimes can come in an envelope. Wanted a plug and didn't feel like fiddling with ebay and maybe getting it in Dec. (or a week like last item!) Patience isn't one of my virtues if indeed I possess any.

[tking308]

I too have been looking at the pid controllers on ebay but have question for the OP (or anyone else that can answer ) most if not all of them on ebay say in the specs they have a 0°-400°C "detective range" does that mean it's only usable to 400°C?

[dikman]

I can't speak for other brands, but the REX C100 stated 400*C but when I set it for the K probe it listed it as 0-1370*C. (400*C = 752*F, so it's probably going to be ok anyway).

[Mike W1]

You have to look around a bit but www.omega.com has the little female panel connectors. In fact I'd guess that's where Aubers buys them judging by the little direction insert in a plug I just installed.

[Beagle333]

http://www.omega.com/pptst/MPJ.html

Miniature panel jacks. :D