Hello brewers,
I’ve been a reader of this board for some time but this is my very first post here.
I started to design my first all grain equipment and thought about automating the system as much as possible.
I’m considering between PID+SSR(on/off) and Phase Angle Controller+SSR for controlling the heating element.
PAC+SSR controlling would obviously give more control over the heating process. (possibility to control temperature gradient? Accurate temperature hold?)
But is this much control really necessary?
I have designed and built a display/control unit for completely different kind of machinery but I could definitely use it in my system for temperature reading, software PID and supplying the analog control signal for PAC.
It has TFT display, touch screen, 6 buttons, industry standard 4…20mA and 0-5V inputs, CAN-bus, USB, and PWM-signal output:
On the other hand, PID system would be so much simpler to design and build, and PID also would have less components that can break or cause trouble.
Will the PAC+SSR control bring more value to the system compared to the PID control?
I know that in some scenarios PAC+SSR can shorten life of the heating element. (Vapor phase soldering machines)
If you have opinion or firsthand experience on PAC+SSR vs. PID+SSR, I’d be grateful for any advice on choosing between PID+SSR and PAC+SSR based heating control.
Thanks!
I’ve been a reader of this board for some time but this is my very first post here.
I started to design my first all grain equipment and thought about automating the system as much as possible.
I’m considering between PID+SSR(on/off) and Phase Angle Controller+SSR for controlling the heating element.
PAC+SSR controlling would obviously give more control over the heating process. (possibility to control temperature gradient? Accurate temperature hold?)
But is this much control really necessary?
I have designed and built a display/control unit for completely different kind of machinery but I could definitely use it in my system for temperature reading, software PID and supplying the analog control signal for PAC.
It has TFT display, touch screen, 6 buttons, industry standard 4…20mA and 0-5V inputs, CAN-bus, USB, and PWM-signal output:
On the other hand, PID system would be so much simpler to design and build, and PID also would have less components that can break or cause trouble.
Will the PAC+SSR control bring more value to the system compared to the PID control?
I know that in some scenarios PAC+SSR can shorten life of the heating element. (Vapor phase soldering machines)
If you have opinion or firsthand experience on PAC+SSR vs. PID+SSR, I’d be grateful for any advice on choosing between PID+SSR and PAC+SSR based heating control.
Thanks!