I had been having problems with my e-kettle always overshooting the set temperature by 2 to 4 deg. The problem I figured was that the time it took to register the heat at the temp probe, there was so much built up heat in the liquid that it would keep climbing past the set point. I tried temp probe locations both in the kettle and inline with the outlet of the pump and it would always do the same. The problem it turns out is the 5500 watt element would ramp the heat so fast the PID couldn't get control of it.
The solution I found and I hope may help others is a limit the output power of the PID to roughly 30% when I recirculated for the mash. On this PID this is set by the OUTH setting. I let the PID go full power until I reach my set temp (or very nearly) then go into the settings and force the maximum output to 30% which is more than enough to handle 10 gal.
I think the ultimate solution will be to use a DPDT switch rated for 30 amps to route either 110 or 220 to the element for an easier high/low setting. But that will have to wait until funds become more available.
Anyway, hope this little trick may help if others have the same issue. This has worked great for me and it holds the temp about .5 deg above set point the whole time.
The solution I found and I hope may help others is a limit the output power of the PID to roughly 30% when I recirculated for the mash. On this PID this is set by the OUTH setting. I let the PID go full power until I reach my set temp (or very nearly) then go into the settings and force the maximum output to 30% which is more than enough to handle 10 gal.
I think the ultimate solution will be to use a DPDT switch rated for 30 amps to route either 110 or 220 to the element for an easier high/low setting. But that will have to wait until funds become more available.
Anyway, hope this little trick may help if others have the same issue. This has worked great for me and it holds the temp about .5 deg above set point the whole time.