First cast with PID

Iwsbull · Oct 28, 2019

I have not been casting for very long, but I hooked up a PID to my lee 4-20 pot and all I can say is I would that I had done this a couple hundred pounds ago. Wow, you find what temp your alloy likes (725 for mine) and it will be there very time no guess work no messing with the controls to regulate it. It is one less variable to have to deal with, if you’re new to it like me. I know some of you old hands and it can sniff the melt and know, but for the apprentice of us it is a great asset and you can also use it to make sure the oven is holding the right temp for powder coating.

Hooda Thunkit · Oct 28, 2019

I gathered up all the parts necessary to build a PID, and was going to build it last winter.

Winter sort of got away from me. Spring and summer did too.

Maybe this winter.....

Iwsbull · Oct 28, 2019

It doesn’t take very long to build as I just strapped mine down on a piece of 2x6 so I can easily access the thermocoupler to swap between oven and casting pot. I watched a video on YouTube and it took about 1/2 to an hour with interruptions to finish.

Hooda Thunkit · Oct 29, 2019

A piece of board !

*smack self on head*

Why didn't I think of that? I've been looking for a box of some sort, in which to fit the device.

Mount it on a board. Of course.....

Iwsbull · Oct 29, 2019

I ain’t smart enough to get fancy. I just ran a short extension cord put the PID in the middle and the plug at the end for the temp controlled power supply.

beag_nut · Oct 29, 2019

Iwsbull said:
I have not been casting for very long, but I hooked up a PID to my lee 4-20 pot and all I can say is I would that I had done this a couple hundred pounds ago. Wow, you find what temp your alloy likes (725 for mine) and it will be there very time no guess work no messing with the controls to regulate it. It is one less variable to have to deal with, if you’re new to it like me. I know some of you old hands and it can sniff the melt and know, but for the apprentice of us it is a great asset and you can also use it to make sure the oven is holding the right temp for powder coating.

Where did your PID come from? Built it yourself, or bought it?

Iwsbull · Oct 29, 2019

Bought it off flea bay. Just have to make sure you get one rated for high enough temps and that the thermocoupler is also rated for the temps you want. Barley and hops brewing has a great video on YouTube that walks you through step by step.

edwardware · Oct 29, 2019

Iwsbull said:
Bought it off flea bay.

This needs a link!

Edit: and a picture.

Iwsbull · Oct 29, 2019

No idea how to link it but here are the pics of the two pieces I bought just look for your best price

edwardware · Oct 29, 2019

Like this: PID and Thermocouple.

I'm looking for a longer thermocouple. . .

Edit: I see that thermocouple can be adjusted and re-bent. Looks good!

Col. Harrumph · Oct 30, 2019

OK, I'll be the one to ask...
WHAT is a PID?

jmorris · Oct 30, 2019

Col. Harrumph said:
OK, I'll be the one to ask...
WHAT is a PID?

Check out #12 in this link.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/time-for-a-pid.857773/#post-11265018

Think about a thermostat that can see how fast temp is rising or falling from the set point and compensate to keep the temperature right at the set point vs always above of below while passing it every time.

I used one on my casting machine too. I drive a 3500w oven element using a solid state relay, heating a 60 lb pot. I didn’t get fancy with a mount for the thermocouple, just set it in the pot.

Blue68f100 · Oct 30, 2019

Here you go https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PID_controller

You need to be careful if you run the load through the contacts. Normally thee are used to drive solid state devices and relays. For load control locate a Solid state relay, SCR, or ZCP. When setup and tuned properly they will hold the temp to 0.1F. Used for any process control. Most will take any type of thermal couple.

lightman · Oct 30, 2019

I cast successfully for many years without even a thermometer. But, my PID makes it easier.

Iwsbull · Oct 30, 2019

The above is what I am all about. Make it easier and more efficient for me.

double bogey · Oct 31, 2019

I use mine for running an electric smoker, using a different thermocouple so lead isn't an issue. Just disconnect the lead pot tcouple, and connect the smoker tcouple. An electric smoker and an amazing pellet smoker makes good bbq, easy peasy.

May just build another one for the smoker.

First cast with PID

Iwsbull

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Hooda Thunkit

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Iwsbull

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Hooda Thunkit

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Iwsbull

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beag_nut

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Iwsbull

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edwardware

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Iwsbull

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edwardware

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Col. Harrumph

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jmorris

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Blue68f100

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lightman

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Iwsbull

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double bogey

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