Another Thermocouple and PID question

M.Griffin

M.Griffin

Joined
Nov 8, 2007
Messages
460
I have done some reading, but just wanted to be sure before I ordered. Am I correct that if I only want to be able to monitor temp in my gas forge, all I need is a thermocouple and PID like these:

Thermocouple http://auberins.com/index.php?main_p...products_id=39
PID http://auberins.com/index.php?main_p...products_id=14

It is simple, right? Just hook it up and you are in business? I don't need any control for a solenoid or anything so I think I can get away with the basics. I plan to make a stainless sleeve for the thermocouple as well. Thanks.

-Mike
 
did you mean to show this thermocouple

http://auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=39

and this PID

http://auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=14

If so those will work. Just connect a 110volt line to the PID on terminals 1 and 2 (put in a in line 250 ma fuse) and connect the wires from the thermocouple to terminals 6 and 7. If when you warm it up the temp goes down you need to reverse the wires to terminals 6 and 7. That should cover it for temperature reading purposes. I believe it comes set on F and not Celsius.
 
Mike-
I just hooked mine up tonight. I have a gas kiln made from 12" pipeline pipe. I bought a 5" thermocouple from Vulcan Kilns and also a PID. The whole thing was about $85. The Thermocouple was encased is ceramic tubes about 3/4" long.
 
It's a start. I have 2 PIDs now, the basic, and also the ramp/soak. Auber is good people to buy from. If you are just using it as a pyrometer, that's kind of overkill, but later you can hook it up to an SSR for controlling things. Not a bad investment.

Good luck
Get a project box to put it in so the power cord contacts aren't where your fingers will find them by accident

-Page
 
ib2v4u said:
did you mean to show this thermocouple

http://auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=39

and this PID

http://auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=14

If so those will work. Just connect a 110volt line to the PID on terminals 1 and 2 (put in a in line 250 ma fuse) and connect the wires from the thermocouple to terminals 6 and 7. If when you warm it up the temp goes down you need to reverse the wires to terminals 6 and 7. That should cover it for temperature reading purposes. I believe it comes set on F and not Celsius.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Yep, those are the links I meant to post, copied right out of one of your posts from the past. Thanks for all the helpful info now and in the past posts you have done.
Page, getting zapped a little now and then lets you know you are alive. I think I will get a box though....

-Mike
 
Thanks guys! I just ordered the above items. Time to get a grip on that forge. Can't judge color as we as I used to. This is some great info.
 
ib2v4u said:
If so those will work. Just connect a 110volt line to the PID on terminals 1 and 2 (put in a in line 250 ma fuse) and connect the wires from the thermocouple to terminals 6 and 7. If when you warm it up the temp goes down you need to reverse the wires to terminals 6 and 7. That should cover it for temperature reading purposes. I believe it comes set on F and not Celsius.
Click to expand...


I just got my thermocouple and PID today. Is the 250 ma fuse and fuse holder something I can get at Radio Shack or elsewhere? I also have some 5/8" round stainless bar that I was going to drill out for a sleeve for the thermocouple. If I do this, do I need to make the hole in the steel wide enough to fit the ceramic in too, or do I remove the ceramic and just put the TC in? Thanks again.

-Mike
 
You can get the inline fuse holder at radio shack or even many auto supplies. a 250 ma fuse is the same as 1/4 amp. You just want something light to protect your unit. I run my thermocouple in my forge without a well, just in the porcelain. It would be fine without the porcelain as long and id doesn't touch the sides of the well
 
Do any of you have a thermocouple that would hook up to a mac tools multimeter? I can't seem to find any.
 
ib2v4u said:
I run my thermocouple in my forge without a well, just in the porcelain. It would be fine without the porcelain as long and id doesn't touch the sides of the well
Click to expand...


Thanks. I think I will make it fit inside the well with the porcelain so it will insulate it from the sides of the well. Thank for helping me out.

-Mike
 
A thermocouple measures the temperature at its tip and not along its length.

Put the tip where you want to take the reading inside the forge.




Fred
 
True, what happens is the 2 legs of the thermocouple are of different metals. When you heat the joint they actual react with one another somewhat and produce a small amount of electricity. This is what the PID measures. Your thermocouple will eventually fail no mater what. An inert atmosphere in a well would prevent things like oxygen from speeding the failure, but, probably slow the response time somewhat
 
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