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Selecting PID for chest freezer/kegerator

Discussion in 'Kegerators & Keezers' started by terrazza, Sep 5, 2014.

 

  1. #1
    terrazza

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Sep 5, 2014
    I am needing help picking a PID to use for my chest freezer converted into a kegerator....

    I want one that will flip an SSR that turns on the freezer's condensing unit. I would like to be able to control its cycle on and off time. On for a minimum of 10 minutes. Off for a minimum of 10 minutes. This to preserve the compressors life.

    Glanced at auberins and saw only 199 second cycling.... :(

    Anyone know the best PID for this?

    THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU:tank:
     
  2. #2
    day_trippr

    We live in interesting times...

    Posted Sep 5, 2014
    Why do you think a minimum compressor-on time is important wrt compressor life?

    If you can get past that concern there are a number of controllers that will do just fine...

    Cheers!
     
  3. #3
    HumulusHead

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Sep 5, 2014
    Stc 1000 of course would be the answer. But it does only min off time.

    I agree, I don't think it has to do with min run time


    Sent from myPhone
     
  4. #4
    sandyeggoxj

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Sep 5, 2014
    Minimum on doesn't seem like a big concern. Minimum off however... If your off time is long enough, 10+ minutes, then the temp will swing enough that the compressor will stay on for several minutes. I don't think that you want a PID algorithm controller your keezer. A few degree temp swing in the air temp is fine. As long as the beer stays fairly steady you'll be fine!
     
  5. #5
    day_trippr

    We live in interesting times...

    Posted Sep 5, 2014
    Exactly.

    For illustration of that point I'll offer up a plot of the temperatures in and around my keezer over the last twelve hours to show you can hold kegs of beer within +/- .75°F of target (while observing rather wild swings in the interior air temperature) and still have a lengthy cycle time (peak to peak it's running around 2:35 right now - and it's only that short because six of the seven kegs are around a quarter full).

    This is managed by a $12 single-stage MH1210 controller available from numerous sources. I don't think there's reason to get any more exotic than that...

    Cheers!

    keezer_chart_05sep2014.jpg
     
    alphaomega likes this.
  6. #6
    sandyeggoxj

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Sep 5, 2014
    Is the $12 controller also a sophisticated data logger with excel output? ;)
     
  7. #7
    HumulusHead

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Sep 5, 2014
    Ya I was wondering. How the heck do you get that output???? With 5 freaking loggers too????

    Btw totally jell


    Sent from myPhone
     
  8. #8
    day_trippr

    We live in interesting times...

    Posted Sep 5, 2014
    Not only is the $12 controller not capable of logging, my home-brewed temperature logger isn't sophisticated...

    Cheers! ;)
     
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