PID retrofit or stock replacement? question for the gurus.

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SinePari

SinePari

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So I scored this beast Monday afternoon for $100.

It wasn't orange when I got it, so I fixed the cosmetic issue.

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It's a Thermolyne Muffle Furnace Type 13300 with a Furnatrol II by Sybron programable controller. (I took the controller off for dimensions and repair)

The only issue is that the controller was operational for about a minute before it crapped out and started smoking. I believe that this has to do with the way that it was stored, because it smelled like pee, and had insect eggs and rat poop in the controller box. It was also in an enclosed metal building sans air-conditioning. The brick and interior are spotless and pristine.

From what I understand, reading the product literature, the unit is a type 810 and is a three-term controller, 2 alarms, etc... but I don't know if it has the capabilities to store multiple programs, and if it does, how many programs?


My question is would a newer digital PID retro fitted be a more formidable option when it comes to operation as the literature makes them seem a bit more capable when it comes to programing and ease of use? Access to stock replacements such as takeoffs and used program controllers range in price from $24-$340, but I see that option as a crapshoot of "if". The newer digital controllers seem to be a bit more handsomely priced in comparison.

Any advice is appreciated. I may have gotten myself into a pickle here, but the price and overall condition of the furnace was worth the gamble of $100 considering it's already wired with the heating elements, refractory, and industrial capabilities once operational.
 
The simplest option would be to purchase a Rampmaster or similar controller and install it. That would be virtually plug-and-play. They are good, but not cheap.
You could build a controller, depending on your skills and understanding of programing.

What you need to decide is if you want to spend the money and get a guaranteed outcome, or invest the time and save a few bucks ... assuming your home brew controller works right.

The smoke from the old controller was probably mouse/rat pee and "stuff" in/on the SSR and wire leads to the coils. I would take the controller apart and clean it all out well, and spray everything with contact cleaner. Most likely it is still OK. Check wires for chewed up insulation carefully. While stripped down, you can test it on the bench with the output leads connected to a multimeter or light bulb and no main load ( heating coils) connected. If you don't understand what I typed in this paragraph, have a fiend who does do this for you.
 
I definitely want to tear the controller apart to see what happened. I've seen circuit boards and other electrical parts swell in the humidity down here, so if it really is just foreign debris that caused the smoke that would be a welcomed discovery.
 
Most likely if it was bad, the thing would have not run at all or gone out in a POP with smoke instantly. If it took a minute, then the smoke most likely came from something hot.
 
bladsmth said:
Most likely if it was bad, the thing would have not run at all or gone out in a POP with smoke instantly. If it took a minute, then the smoke most likely came from something hot.
Click to expand...

Good point. I'll try and open up the box tonight and see what kinda creepy crawlies got fried.
 
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