oldtoolsniper
07-10-2010, 04:31 PM
I finally built a PID. I really did not need one as I was casting just fine without it. I have been running it today and trying to figure out what all it can do. I am afraid its capabilities are way beyond mine, much like the device I am typing on. I like to build things and what the heck it looks cool having a digital temperature gauge for my pot.
What I have learned.
It was simple to build in about an hour and cost less than $100.00.
It steadies the Lee pot down to 3-4 degree swings up and down.
I now know what temperature range a mold likes via a digital readout instead of a knob twisted to # 8, I record the temps for the molds as I find them in degrees not hash marks on a meaningless dial..
I can program the temperature of the particular mold I am casting and it will be reached and then maintained.
I can do other things while the pot finds the correct temperature; I only need to glance at the readout until the actual temperature matches the programmed temperature.
Adding two pounds of lead drops the temperature about 100 degrees so I can go do something else while the pot comes back to my target casting temperature.
Constant digital feedback on what is going on with pot temperature and when the pot is cycling.
Turn the pot to maximum and the PID will maintain whatever temperature you tell it to.
I am going to use it to control my lube heater as well since the PID is really built like an extension cord controlled by a thermocouple.
No more plugging in the lube heater till it’s runny and then unplugging it till its firm, once I have the correct temperature for the lube recorded I can program it and go do something else.
A $2.00 garage sale iron can now be controlled to heat my lube within a few degrees. Even a heat lamp would work.
It’s like my radio, I don’t understand how it works but I sure like it!
I got the idea here! Thanks to all of you!:drinks:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=45733
What I have learned.
It was simple to build in about an hour and cost less than $100.00.
It steadies the Lee pot down to 3-4 degree swings up and down.
I now know what temperature range a mold likes via a digital readout instead of a knob twisted to # 8, I record the temps for the molds as I find them in degrees not hash marks on a meaningless dial..
I can program the temperature of the particular mold I am casting and it will be reached and then maintained.
I can do other things while the pot finds the correct temperature; I only need to glance at the readout until the actual temperature matches the programmed temperature.
Adding two pounds of lead drops the temperature about 100 degrees so I can go do something else while the pot comes back to my target casting temperature.
Constant digital feedback on what is going on with pot temperature and when the pot is cycling.
Turn the pot to maximum and the PID will maintain whatever temperature you tell it to.
I am going to use it to control my lube heater as well since the PID is really built like an extension cord controlled by a thermocouple.
No more plugging in the lube heater till it’s runny and then unplugging it till its firm, once I have the correct temperature for the lube recorded I can program it and go do something else.
A $2.00 garage sale iron can now be controlled to heat my lube within a few degrees. Even a heat lamp would work.
It’s like my radio, I don’t understand how it works but I sure like it!
I got the idea here! Thanks to all of you!:drinks:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=45733