Heating Element Control

[snideman]

And if my memory serves me right all for under $60, you can even use the pot you have, just remeber the pot will be "hot" as in live and must be grounded. The PSR-25 can handle up to 6kw so it wont be a problem for you. C'mon you know you want to be stillin'.

[Pamulli]

Pamulli did ja even consider the PSR-25 and a pot route instead, considering the time and $$$ you've already invested? I think I'm going that way when I build my 5500watt boiler, it seems almost too easy.

I had already purchased my parts before I saw that posted. If I were starting from scratch I'd probably give it a try, although it is a good bit more than the $20 or so to build the whole thing from scratch. I also haven't seen anyone post that they used this method and how it worked. I've seen several people say they were going to, but then no follow up.

So what is actually required to use the PSR-25 with 220vAC? I know you need the PSR-25 and a Pot, but it mentions a fuse and I'm not sure what type of fuse you would need? Is there anything else? I haven't placed my order with Mouser yet for the replacement parts so I am considering it, but a new Triac is a lot less than the PSR-25.

[Bob421]

For the PSR-25 on 220v you need a 250k 1 watt pot. This seems a little rare. There are a lot of 1/2 watt pots around But the 1 watt ones are not as common. I can find them but just not at mouser where I could make a multiple item order. I have the PSR-25 but just haven't pulled the trigger on a pot yet. No you guys throw a fuse in there. Why do I need a fuse when it is already run through a circuit breaker?

[Pamulli]

For the PSR-25 on 220v you need a 250k 1 watt pot. This seems a little rare. There are a lot of 1/2 watt pots around But the 1 watt ones are not as common. I can find them but just not at mouser where I could make a multiple item order. I have the PSR-25 but just haven't pulled the trigger on a pot yet. No you guys throw a fuse in there. Why do I need a fuse when it is already run through a circuit breaker?

Yea I was wondering the same thing about the fuse, but that's what it says in the data sheet.

I was thinking I could use the pot I already have, but you are right, it needs 1watt. I see several 250Kohm 1watt on mouser though. http://www.mouser.com/Passive-Component ... b6Z1z0vocv" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
Wouldn't any of these work?

The more I think about it the more I'm thinking I'll go this route. I'm very tired of messing with this thing. I didn't build a still so that I can play with electrical...

[crazyk78]

Snideman,

If in this configuration the pot will be"hot", how would you then ground it or insulate it?

[LWTCS]

how would you then ground it

With a lug

[crazyk78]

Thanks LTWCS... I thought he meant grounding the actual pot truning knob, that's what threw me.

Cheers

[Bob421]

For the PSR-25 on 220v you need a 250k 1 watt pot. This seems a little rare. There are a lot of 1/2 watt pots around But the 1 watt ones are not as common. I can find them but just not at mouser where I could make a multiple item order. I have the PSR-25 but just haven't pulled the trigger on a pot yet. No you guys throw a fuse in there. Why do I need a fuse when it is already run through a circuit breaker?

Yea I was wondering the same thing about the fuse, but that's what it says in the data sheet.

I was thinking I could use the pot I already have, but you are right, it needs 1watt. I see several 250Kohm 1watt on mouser though. http://www.mouser.com/Passive-Component ... b6Z1z0vocv" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
Wouldn't any of these work?

The more I think about it the more I'm thinking I'll go this route. I'm very tired of messing with this thing. I didn't build a still so that I can play with electrical...

All but one of those are not stocked but you did come up with one that I failed to find. I may have to put in an order later if my internet cooperates. It seems like its really flaky on the weekends when I have the time to be on it.

[Pamulli]

All but one of those are not stocked but you did come up with one that I failed to find. I may have to put in an order later if my internet cooperates. It seems like its really flaky on the weekends when I have the time to be on it.

I realized most of those were out of stock after posting.
I guess the only other question I have with the PSR-25 is the heatsink. I noticed the operating temp is 65C max so I would think you need a really good one? I have a computer heatsink from a server I could use, but no idea what the thermal properties are.

[snideman]

I have the PSR-25 but just haven't pulled the trigger on a pot yet. No you guys throw a fuse in there. Why do I need a fuse when it is already run through a circuit breaker?

Hi Bob421,
It seems you are the furthest along on the PSR-25 project as you have already purchased it. I thought the phase angle controller was working out for you? Is it not now?
Anyways the fuse option are for those who are running their power through a DPST switch and are using the fast blow fuse to protect their component, in our case the PSR-25. If you are running it through MCB then of course it would be redundant, but still offer more protection as regular CB’s don’t open fast enough to prevent damage to the component, that is the purpose of the fast blow fuse as recommended by the mfg. (see pdf on last post)

All but one of those are not stocked but you did come up with one that I failed to find. I may have to put in an order later if my internet cooperates. It seems like its really flaky on the weekends when I have the time to be on it.

I realized most of those were out of stock after posting.
I guess the only other question I have with the PSR-25 is the heatsink. I noticed the operating temp is 65C max so I would think you need a really good one? I have a computer heatsink from a server I could use, but no idea what the thermal properties are.

Pamulli try here:
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea ... &x=22&y=27
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea ... 381N254-ND

[Bob421]

Thanks snideman that clears that up.
My triac controller works very well and is the main reason I have not gotten any further with my psr controller.
Plus summer is very busy for me and I don't get much time for inside projects.

[Pamulli]

This is a cheaper option for the heatsink http://www.newark.com/jsp/search/produc ... ku=93K7581" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow but it still adds significant cost to using the PSR-25.

[snideman]

Ok,ok you got me beat.
Take that http://www.bgmicro.com/ACS1568.aspx for bringin' down the cost on the PSR-25.
So where are we? PSR-25 @ $44.65, the pot @ $14.00, heatsink @ $1.63 Grand total under $75.
Steep but worth it: solid state control, astoundingly simple, unlimited control... Perfection! I'm doin' it.

[rad14701]

If you can't find a dead PC to salvage the CPU heat sink out of you're just not looking hard enough... I have boxes full of every shape and size...

[Bob421]

I think they are worried that the pc heatsink won't be enough.

[rad14701]

I think they are worried that the pc heatsink won't be enough.

Have they seen CPU heat sinks in the past 10 years...??? A large finned aluminum block can cool a lot more than what has been pictured in recent posts, even without a cooling fan...

[LWTCS]

Have they seen CPU heat sinks in the past 10 years...??? A large finned aluminum block can cool a lot more than what has been pictured in recent posts, even without a cooling fan...

You could bludgeon someone into a state of commatose with the heat sinks that mulekicker uses............I'm not joking.

[Bob421]

I think they are worried that the pc heatsink won't be enough.

Have they seen CPU heat sinks in the past 10 years...??? A large finned aluminum block can cool a lot more than what has been pictured in recent posts, even without a cooling fan...

Back in the day processors used to put out over a hundred watts. I just looked up a core 2 duo and i found 65 watts. I cant figure out the data sheet on the psr-25 to compute the equivalent output in watts like they do for CPUs.
But I think you are right a decent size cpu heat sink should be fine as long as it gets some airflow.

[B-Rad]

Hey I have found something cheaper again than the PSR-25. It is from Australia. it costs $40 cash and includes heat sink and pot
See link http://www.temperature.com.au/portals/0 ... %20485.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[Pamulli]

Have they seen CPU heat sinks in the past 10 years...??? A large finned aluminum block can cool a lot more than what has been pictured in recent posts, even without a cooling fan...

The problem with CPU heat sinks is that they are all meant to have a fan blowing air across them, whether from a directly attached fan or the power supply fan and it would be hard to get that kind of air flow in a small box. It could be fine, but having never used a PSR-25 I have no idea how hot it really gets, it just seems that in the brochure they are calling for a reasonably efficient heatsink from what I can tell?

I went ahead and pulled the trigger though and will hopefully be building one this weekend if it gets here in time. I'll be sure to report back how it works.

[snideman]

Hey I have found something cheaper again than the PSR-25. It is from Australia. it costs $40 cash and includes heat sink and pot
See link http://www.temperature.com.au/portals/0 ... %20485.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Hello B-Rad and welcome to the forum,
That SSR you posted looks great, however, on investigation the website reveals that it is an "optional" heat sink and p/n TCSSRR2540 is $62 Aussie money which converts to about $55 U.S. money not including tax or shipping.
I didn't contact them to see what it would cost to ship to the U.S., but I always here complaints from the folks down under about shipping FROM the U.S.

This is a great source for you Aussie-folks and a good looking controller that is DIN mountable.

[rad14701]

Once I get past my medical hurdles and have some spare cash I'm hoping to come up with a complete solution for 120V and 240V that I can provide, hopefully, for under $50 USD... My thoughts are that the end user would provide an install their own power cables... I think there is a big target market for simple controllers in this price range... We shall see...

[Pamulli]

Once I get past my medical hurdles and have some spare cash I'm hoping to come up with a complete solution for 120V and 240V that I can provide, hopefully, for under $50 USD... My thoughts are that the end user would provide an install their own power cables... I think there is a big target market for simple controllers in this price range... We shall see...

Rad, I would have gladly paid for a working controller.

[goinbroke2]

Me too. I keep hoping I'll run across a "controller which will take 4500w and cost $20" LOL!

Yeah, if I could just purchase one, that'd be cool.

[vicrider]

Put me down for one when you get to it.

[Pamulli]

If anyone in the US is planning on going the PSR-25 route, I would stay away from the 1 watt Pot mouser has in stock. http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Bou ... lU4Rmto%3d" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow The terminals broke off immediately after I connected them. I didn't bend them, just the pressure from the wires snapped them off. I am so over this controller thing.
Anyone have a source for a descent 1 watt 250K Pot in the US?

[rad14701]

Try the 2W potentiometers by Honeywell... I have used many different ratings of the Honeywell line over the years without problems...

[Kiwi-lembic]

Try the 2W potentiometers by Honeywell... I have used many different ratings of the Honeywell line over the years without problems...

thats great advise cheers Rad ..we have honeywell in n. z...hope alls well ..K.L

[Bob421]

If anyone in the US is planning on going the PSR-25 route, I would stay away from the 1 watt Pot mouser has in stock. http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Bou ... lU4Rmto%3d" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow The terminals broke off immediately after I connected them. I didn't bend them, just the pressure from the wires snapped them off. I am so over this controller thing.
Anyone have a source for a descent 1 watt 250K Pot in the US?

I wondered about the durabiltiy of those.
I found one from mouser that is much more robust than those. I found it completly by accident and now can't locate it so I will have to log in from my home computer. It is in my shopping cart or wish list or some such.
I will try post a link when I get home (late)

[Bob421]

OK here we go.
It is a honeywell 2w like rad posted
http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDet ... 5-53C2250K" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
Now why cant I find this stuff on my own?