Watlow or Omron temp. controllers?

[BigJP]

Any of use a watlow or omron temp controller instead of a pid. I have acces to both of these models for free and want to know if I can use them ?

 

[fbold1]

You can use the Omron, it has PID control, the Watlow is just a temp. switch.

 

[BigJP]

Thanks for the reply... Would the omron have manual mode for the boil? I have the manual but am dumb at this stuff

 

[fbold1]

Not sure if I Know what you want to do, you could install a manual override switch.

 

[BigJP]

Want to throttle the heating element back to say 70-80% for the boil.

 

[fbold1]

You really shouldn't have to, as the temp controller should take care of that automatically, unless you want to lower the preset temp.

 

[BigJP]

With the element running at 100% would have hard time with boil overs and have a lot of boil off

 

[beaksnbeer]

You better check to make sure the Omron output can handle an element you may need to use it to run the relay on a contact.

 

[fbold1]

You better check to make sure the Omron output can handle an element you may need to use it to run the relay on a contact.

Of course, the Omron has a 5A contact, you would need another device to handle the current.

 

[fbold1]

With the element running at 100% would have hard time with boil overs and have a lot of boil off

Once at temperature the element would be off more than it is on.

 

[jCOSbrew]

A raging boil is the same temp as a slow simmer.

This is why you need to control power delivered to the element during the boil. If you only do 5gal batches and use a 3kw element you could probably run it at 100% power.

 

[BigJP]

I plan on hooking this up to a ssr, just need to know if the Omron can run manual mode? Make sense? I am green at this

 

[BigJP]

Will be doing 5 and 10 gallon batches with a 4500watt element

 

[fbold1]

If you are only using it for boil temp, the Watlow would be ok for that and I see that it has the man/auto mode switch that you want.

 

[BigJP]

Using it for maintaining HLT temp with herms (eventually) and BK once sparge is complete. Don't think the watlow has DC output?

 

[jeffmeh]

The Watlow unit appears to be a PID with manual mode capabilities. It is no longer in production. Here's the manual. https://www.watlow.com/downloads/en/manuals/985e9307.pdf

 

[fbold1]

I see it does have DC output, looks like it has everything you need!

 

[BigJP]

The model I have appears to only have electromechanical output

 

[BigJP]

I see it does have DC output, looks like it has everything you need!

I have the "d" model which appears to be electromechanical output only

 

[fbold1]

I have the "d" model which appears to be electromechanical output only

right, looks like your back to the Omron.

 

[BigJP]

right, looks like your back to the Omron.

Any one know if that Omron would have manual mode for boil

 

[jeffmeh]

http://industrial.omron.com.br/uploads/arquivos/E5EX.pdf

It does not appear to support manual mode, but I just looked quickly. Also, it has different output modules, sold separately, for Relay/SSR, etc.

 

[BigJP]

http://industrial.omron.com.br/uploads/arquivos/E5EX.pdf

It does not appear to support manual mode, but I just looked quickly. Also, it has different output modules, sold separately, for Relay/SSR, etc.

Thanks, looks like I will just buy a PID from Auber. Was hoping these free ones would work

 

[jeffmeh]

Thanks, looks like I will just buy a PID from Auber. Was hoping these free ones would work

You will probably save a bunch of time and aggravation that way. Worth the cost, in my view.

 

[fbold1]

Want to throttle the heating element back to say 70-80% for the boil.

you need one of these http://www.ebay.com/itm/SSR-40VA-AC...493?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ac094ce35 you can dial down the boil with a potentiometer.