Adding automatic temp control to Sugar Creek kiln

J

JoshEarl

Joined
Sep 30, 2007
Messages
197
I am loving my new small Sugar Creek kiln, but of course I'm interested in upgrading from the dial control to one that offers some kind of automation.

From what I've been able to glean, I need to buy a PID and an SSR, then replace the guts of the manual control on my kiln.

Would these work:
http://www.auberins.com/index.php?m...s_id=9&zenid=30270488dfd0946efdf0870322d6812c

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?m..._id=14&zenid=124a3527e425a8ea5264c840767f7624

Are there any PIDs with ramp up and soak programs for <$100? Just holding a temp automatically would be useful, but programmability would be better. :D

Also, are there any good photo tutorials/wiring diagrams available? I have found a few good threads but nothing that shows the whole process of wiring up the controls.

Thanks,
Josh
 
JoshEarl said:
I am loving my new small Sugar Creek kiln, but of course I'm interested in upgrading from the dial control to one that offers some kind of automation.

From what I've been able to glean, I need to buy a PID and an SSR, then replace the guts of the manual control on my kiln.

Would these work:
http://www.auberins.com/index.php?m...s_id=9&zenid=30270488dfd0946efdf0870322d6812c

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?m..._id=14&zenid=124a3527e425a8ea5264c840767f7624

Are there any PIDs with ramp up and soak programs for <$100? Just holding a temp automatically would be useful, but programmability would be better.

Thanks,
Josh
Click to expand...



This Kiln ?
http://www.sugarcreekind.com/the-jim-bowie-knife-kiln-p-2808.html
Chamber dimensions are 10-3/4" (D) x 8-3/4" (W) x 4-1/2" (H).
The kiln operates with an infinite switch and pyrometer.
Electrical requirements: 120V 13 Amp 1560 Watts.

Then the 25A SSR should be good
Get or make a heatsink for the SSR


Ramp and Soak $ 78
http://www.auberins.com/index.php?m...s_id=4&zenid=124a3527e425a8ea5264c840767f7624

How about a thermocouple? Is there one already ?
 
Type K thermocouples tend to oxidize and drift. Mine after 5 months was giving me 50-70 degrees difference from actual temperature. I would get one with an Inconel sheath to minimize the drift.
 
Yes, that's the oven I have. That ramp and soak PID is exactly what I was hoping for. Not sure how I missed that on the Auberins site... Thanks!

If I got a 30 amp SSR, would I still need the heat sink? Could you post a link to one I could buy?

There is a thermocouple already, but I may upgrade it in the future.

Thanks a bunch,
Josh
 
JoshEarl said:
Yes, that's the oven I have. That ramp and soak PID is exactly what I was hoping for. Not sure how I missed that on the Auberins site... Thanks!

If I got a 30 amp SSR, would I still need the heat sink?

Could you post a link to one I could buy?

There is a thermocouple already, but I may upgrade it in the future.

Thanks a bunch,
Josh
Click to expand...

IF you go with a bigger SSR would you still need the heat sink?
I don't know, but for $5 more, why not?
You would have room to upgrade to a larger load later
(faster heat up if you need it)

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?m..._id=30&zenid=124a3527e425a8ea5264c840767f7624

Heat sink
http://www.auberins.com/index.php?m..._id=93&zenid=124a3527e425a8ea5264c840767f7624

Their heat sink is pretty specialized, if you can find an aluminum heat sink in an electronics surplus shop for cheap...go for it.
 
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