hi guys,
complete newb here, preciate all the help. I am looking to control a 220V 4.5kw water heater element
in a homebrewing setup, distilling to be exact. What I want to do is be able to vary the output of the heating element either by a touch screen or iphone, or both. a display of amprage would be required. Has anybody done anything along these lines, or able to offer some guideance?
I got the Uno, have SSR's, and a licenced electrician on board for the high voltage wiring.
something like this, but less manual potentimeter...
Take a look at the ESP8266 SOC (system on a chip). It is basically a small, powerful Arduino with WiFi built-in. You can connect it directly to the SSR, and it can host a webpage where you can set the temperature, timer, view temperature etc ...
You'll need a high-temperature digital temperature sensor as well, and if you want a current display as well, you'll need a hall effect current sensor.
great, thank you! that seems a better way to go. I'd like to ask for additional help if I may. The reason I am looking to control the output of the heating element is not so much to control the temperature of the fluid in the boiler, its to control the output of the distiller. Any thoughts on the control in that respect? In the original schematic there is a honeywell pot, I'd like to eliminate that in favor of electronic control if possible...
Oh I see, it's not a SSR, it's actually a dimmer (phase angle controller). It is controlled by the rheostat (potentiometer), so it will be difficult to control it using the ESP or Arduino. You'd need a 250K digital potentiometer that can handle 1W @230V AC. (Don't know whether that exists, I doubt it.)
To control the phase angle controller, you could use motorized rheostat, but that's not really high-tech of course ... Depending on the internal workings, you could hack something together that could replace the rheostat, but that will be difficult, since there's next to no useful information in the datasheet, and it's dangerous, since the control wires are live 230V connections ...
Also, it seems to me that the relationship between temperature and distiller's output is more relevant than the relation of current draw and output, right? Ideally, you'd measure the amount of liquid that comes out of the distiller, and control your heater based on that. (Count droplets or check the fluid level in your receptacle.)
You might do a search for PID. I believe there is a library
available.
You realize, of course, that a still that can do alcohol is
suppose to be registered with BATF.
Dwight
PieterP:
Oh I see, it's not a SSR, it's actually a dimmer (phase angle controller). It is controlled by the rheostat (potentiometer), so it will be difficult to control it using the ESP or Arduino. You'd need a 250K digital potentiometer that can handle 1W @230V AC. (Don't know whether that exists, I doubt it.)
To control the phase angle controller, you could use motorized rheostat, but that's not really high-tech of course ... Depending on the internal workings, you could hack something together that could replace the rheostat, but that will be difficult, since there's next to no useful information in the datasheet, and it's dangerous, since the control wires are live 230V connections ...
Also, it seems to me that the relationship between temperature and distiller's output is more relevant than the relation of current draw and output, right? Ideally, you'd measure the amount of liquid that comes out of the distiller, and control your heater based on that. (Count droplets or check the fluid level in your receptacle.)
thank you, I'm going to read up on that option. I appreciate the info, for sure.
as far as the operation, it takes a bit to wrap your head around, but but distilling is really more of an input and output operation as opposed to a temperature controlled environment. due to the nature of the "wash" in the kettle or boiler bieng a mix of chemical compunds, its boiling point changes across a fairly wide temperature band during the process. There has been quite a bit of research and experimenting over the years in terms of automation, with some success depending on the desired finished product. But when you realize that virtually all of the current crop of manufacturers are doing it not based on temperature control, I think there is merit in their process. That doesnt mean we cant look into it in the future, perhaps revolutionize the industry...if I make it to that point I'll cut you in on the millions! or at least a drink or two..
