Hi All, working on a new RIMS build. I am trying to find a controller that can control both power (percentage of power delivered) and pulse width separately to the element. I am not finding a controller or PID that can do this. The DSPR-320 comes close but is complex. Looking for really good control of the element in the RIMS tube. I don't have a problem building if I have to. Plan is go 120volt / 20 amp. Have looked at the inkbird ipb-16s but that is 15amp and you cannot modulate the power delivered to element. Thanks for any input / advice.
RIMS PID Advice
- Thread starter radllc
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I think I answered my own question. There are no PIDs that I can find that allow both PID and power control at the same time other than the DSPR-320 when mashing. I think this will work to build a controller with both a SSR and SSRV in a series. That way you can attenuate the power of your PID on a RIMS setup giving you more control.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/potentiometer-ssrv-wiring-help.423321/#post5377623
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/potentiometer-ssrv-wiring-help.423321/#post5377623
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I'm trying to figure out why you would want to do that... The Auber DSPR320 is an exquisite masterpiece and IMO; The absolute Ideal RIMS controller for a properly set up (Vertical tube, longest element for best distribution of power/area, temp probe at the output, flow-valve on the input). Throwing an SSVR in series will only result in upsetting the DSPR320 causing to put out more power to compensate for the loss at the SSVR.
When I breadboarded my DSPR320 and RIMS to run my tests before using it, I pushed it as hard as I could even pumping in cold water while monitoring the temp and power outputs to see if I could get it to scorching level and even then it still maintained a gentle ramp.
I suspect you may have missed one of the key features of the DSPR320 and highly recommending giving a careful read of this marvellous thread by resident guru @Bobby_M : https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/understanding-the-auber-ezboil-dspr-320.699459/ before potentially wasting time effort and money that's better spent brewing.
When I breadboarded my DSPR320 and RIMS to run my tests before using it, I pushed it as hard as I could even pumping in cold water while monitoring the temp and power outputs to see if I could get it to scorching level and even then it still maintained a gentle ramp.
I suspect you may have missed one of the key features of the DSPR320 and highly recommending giving a careful read of this marvellous thread by resident guru @Bobby_M : https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/understanding-the-auber-ezboil-dspr-320.699459/ before potentially wasting time effort and money that's better spent brewing.
Super helpful....Thank you! I already have a DSPR120 240v panel that drives an element with an on/off switch for pump control. Probably the best option then is to remove that PID and replace it with the DSPR320 to drive a RIMS 240 element versus building an entirely new controller that is 120v based. When it comes time to boil, after I have moved the wort from my RIMS setup to the boil pot, I suppose I can just unplug from the RIMS mashing setup and plug in the boil pot using the same controller but in boil mode.
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The Blichmann Brew Commander allows for simultaneous temp target and maximum power control right on the front screen.
The thread linked shows that you an use the mOUT parameter on the Auber DSPR unit to hard set a power outout limit, but it's clunky that it's in the controller's back menu system and is otherwise not profile or step based.
Another option is to control a regular SSR via the PID/DSPR and run an SSVR in series. A knob would control the maximum power on the fly.
Lastly, you can use a selector switch to send the RIMS element either 240v or 120v in which case the power would be limited to 25% (fixed).
The thread linked shows that you an use the mOUT parameter on the Auber DSPR unit to hard set a power outout limit, but it's clunky that it's in the controller's back menu system and is otherwise not profile or step based.
Another option is to control a regular SSR via the PID/DSPR and run an SSVR in series. A knob would control the maximum power on the fly.
Lastly, you can use a selector switch to send the RIMS element either 240v or 120v in which case the power would be limited to 25% (fixed).
Thanks Bobby, that was the design I was thinking about above. I suppose I could leverage my current PID panel that has the easier DSPR 120 within and then cut in a SSVR in series to it? If I were boiling, I could keep the power on the SSRV at 100% and only adjust it when needed when I am connecting to my RIMS tube? Alternatively, couldn't I just build a simple SSVR box external to my controller, plug into that from my controller from the element out port going in to the external SSRV box and then come out from the SSRV box plugging in to the element in the RIMS tube, which would avoid a major change to my current setup?
Note that the mOUT parameter is only available on the DSPR-310D and the DSPR-320. Neither the DSPR-120 nor the DSPR-300 have the mOUT capability. The 310D has much simpler programming than the 320, but because of that is not quite as flexible/capable.
I'd also like to point out that the effective cycle time of the DSPR controllers, is much shorter (10's of milliseconds) than with typical PIDs (seconds) which will keep the maximum element temperature lower when at less than 100% power. This is especially important for RIMS elements where scorching can be a concern.
Brew on
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