How long does your thermocouple last?

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Yes, you are overcomplicating this for a simple forge or HT oven. There isn't much that needs to be set from the factory pre-set programming. In the modern stuff - PID+TC+SSR = controlled circuit, and PID + TC = temperature readout.

Tom, The power for the PID is 85-260VAC/VDC. Normally, just hook it to your 115VAC power. It automatically supplies the needed power to the PID and SSR.

 

[JTknives]

I run a vertical forge that's blown. It's pid controlled with 2 needle valves for adjusting gas. After many many years of playing with it I just leave the blower on and have the pid cycling the gas solenoid which then goes to one needle valve. I have a second needle valve that's my idle flame. I have it adjusted to just keep a slight blue whisp of a flame in the forge. Being that the blower is on 100% of the time this idle flame keeps the forge from wooshing every time the pid cycles. My TC is inserted from the top and is off to the right side about 2" away from the wall at the same level as the forge opening. I have been using this TC for a very long time, 5 years I think and this setup is very accurate. I use it almost every day and it's still going strong. The key is having it out of burners direct path. My TC is not shealded on the tip. It just has the insulators the separate the legs.