Quick question about Inkbird ITC-106VH

[Ryan_M]

Does it have PWM control or not?

There is no mention about it in the manual and Google isn't pulling up any definite answers. From the various threads I've came across on it, it appears it does as people are using it for their BK.

If someone could confirm this for me I'd appreciate it.
Thanks

 

[augiedoggy]

Does it have PWM control or not?

There is no mention about it in the manual and Google isn't pulling up any definite answers. From the various threads I've came across on it, it appears it does as people are using it for their BK.

If someone could confirm this for me I'd appreciate it.
Thanks

according to the directions I have it does... all the different pids I own dont refer to it as "pwm" but rather "manual operation mode"

It is right there in the setup flow chart....
The thing you have to understand with pids is they are not normally sold to people who know nothing about them.. normally they are bought and installed by electricians or techs who have a basic understanding of the different modes and setting already so all the pids Ive bought including the auberins ones have directions that are confusing until one learns this stuff. basically they are not written for the average Joe but rather professionals in the fields in which they are most often used... although I will admit the auberins directions are written better as far as explaining things than the others.

 

[Ryan_M]

Thanks for the response augie,

I did see the "manual mode" but there was no mention of proportional control, or PWM, or duty cycle, or whichever term you prefer. I think part of the confusion is I was looking at "Control mode" which lists PID control or ON/OFF (bang-bang control) as explained earlier in the manual. This was leading me to believe the output is only capable of 0% or 100%.

FWIW I am an electrician, though not an automation control specialist I do deal with some instrumentation. This isn't a great manual compared to what I'm used to seeing, it's more like a quick setup guide. I agree the Auber manuals are much better. Unfortunately I am in Canada and can get the inkbird including a 40A SSR and a temp probe (that seems pretty useless for our use) for about half the price just the Auber equiv. controller would cost to get to my front door which makes for an expensive manual.

Take care!

 

[augiedoggy]

I hear you... I went through the same pains when I bought my first mypin td4 pids years ago (those instructions were worse than the ones in question here due to poor translation.) Even though I'm a field engineer and some of the equipment I maintain does have pids, they came programed as well as the replacements if we need them and they run in auto mode only.

 

[Jambro64]

So did you find the manual mode and able to adjust to 75% for boil? I usually leave it on Auto and just set the temp up to just above boiling so it still cycles on and off about 75% of the time. Pain the butt though.

 

[augiedoggy]

I dont have mine in use.. There is a flow chart though in the direction sheet that tells you how to get to the manual mode though and once you select it I would imagine like the other pids I have used you just use the up and down keys till you hit your percentage then set.

from the direction chart you have to hold the set button for 3 seconds to enter the "IP" menu, then hit "set" (not for 3 seconds) again and you should see "op" then hit the < button and hit set twice which will take you to the operation mode or "run" mode and can select manu for manual or auto or manual inhibit which im not sure what that means there you hi set to get back to the op menu or hold the set button for 3 seconds to get back to the normal screen.

ive never actually done this so not sure how it works in practice.. on the mypin pids I used its much easier to switch back and forth over these and even the auber pids.

 

[Jambro64]

Thanks AugieDoggy! I need to do a test with a new thermocouple and can see if I can get the above to work. There also is a RUN button on the front, and I wonder if that might be how to turn it on once you set it up.

 

[Jambro64]

Just got done testing with a new PT-100 probe and much better on the accuracy. So I have the OP settings at: Ctrl = PID H-C = Heat Run = Manual.
So leave the RUN mode off and do your mashing using the normal PID control to keep your ~150F for mashing. Then increase your set value temperature to 213 and let it get it up to about 211 or what seems like a good rolling boil and then hold down the Run button and let it go into manual mode (Run light comes on). This seems to cycle like this ON = 1.5 - 2 Seconds and OFF = 1 second. This seems to keep it at that temperature and a good rolling boil. I will try this on my next brew.

 

[augiedoggy]

Just got done testing with a new PT-100 probe and much better on the accuracy. So I have the OP settings at: Ctrl = PID H-C = Heat Run = Manual.
So leave the RUN mode off and do your mashing using the normal PID control to keep your ~150F for mashing. Then increase your set value temperature to 213 and let it get it up to about 211 or what seems like a good rolling boil and then hold down the Run button and let it go into manual mode (Run light comes on). This seems to cycle like this ON = 1.5 - 2 Seconds and OFF = 1 second. This seems to keep it at that temperature and a good rolling boil. I will try this on my next brew.

sounds good only I would have it only go to say 207 and stop in pid mode until you switch it to manual, this way you can babysit it from 207-212 and avoid the potential for boil over.