Auber EZBoil with DF Propane

[aeviaanah]

A friend of mine is looking to automate his propane rig. We would like to use an Auber DSPR320 unit. The issue is that it is setup for electric brewing. It sends out pulses which are too fast for propane solenoid ignition. Any ideas how we can make this unit work with a honeywell solenoid?
My first thought is to use a timer in the control circuit that delays to on and off time to say 30 seconds or so.

 

[golfindia]

Do a google search for digital propane meat smokers. That should get you in the ballpark.

 

[doug293cz]

You're trying to use the wrong tool for the job. You want a simple on/off w/hysteresis controller, like an Inkbird ITC308. If you were going to use a proportional gas valve, instead of a solenoid valve, then you could use an analog output PID, but most of the PID's used for electric brewing are digital output.

Brew on

 

[beernutz]

I used an Auber SYL-2362 A2 PID in my natural gas HERMS control panel. It has worked great for 2+ years FWIW. The one on the left is the PID with a timer on the right.

 

[ba-brewer]

here are some links to help you
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/threads/gas-and-temperature-control-for-dummies.116632/
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/...g14-piloted-honeywell-valve-questions.167050/

 

[aeviaanah]

You're trying to use the wrong tool for the job. You want a simple on/off w/hysteresis controller, like an Inkbird ITC308. If you were going to use a proportional gas valve, instead of a solenoid valve, then you could use an analog output PID, but most of the PID's used for electric brewing are digital output.

Brew on

I understand what is needed if the proposed is impossible. I am hoping to use step mashing that the EZ-boil provides. I guess I'm looking to get creative with the control circuit. Wire the controller output to some electrical device such as a time delay latching relay. I'm asking a device to limit its output to longer intervals. Couldnt this relay provide the on/off circuitry needed by the solenoid?

 

[doug293cz]

I understand what is needed if the proposed is impossible. I am hoping to use step mashing that the EZ-boil provides. I guess I'm looking to get creative with the control circuit. Wire the controller output to some electrical device such as a time delay latching relay. I'm asking a device to limit its output to longer intervals. Couldnt this relay provide the on/off circuitry needed by the solenoid?

No. Looking at the manual, there is no way to lengthen the effective cycle time of the control outputs, which is what you want to do. There are PID's that have programmed profile capability, but they are not the $30 - $50 units normally used for electric brewing. If you're willing to do a little hacking, CraftBeerPi should be able to do what you want.

Brew on

 

[ba-brewer]

An Arduino could probably be used to changed the time base of the pwm signal from the EZ boil.

I think it would be better to use the appropriate PID and just do the steps manually.