Phase angle controller....HELP PLEASE

[MuleKicker]

Do you have an ohm meter? If so, check the pot for a smooth resistance sweep. I have built alot of these controllers and I have never had a bad psr module. There isnt much that can go wrong with these things. Can you post a pic of your wiring/build?

[rad14701]

I guess it could be possible to have been sent an audio taper pot instead of a linear pot... That would explain the unexpected performance that is being experienced...

[DAveCuds]

GOT IT!!!

Thought id start from scratch and re-wire the whole thing. Must have been a dodgy connection somewhere, it appears to be working great!!! I can hold it at temperature to point 1 of a degree....beautiful!!

Thanks for your help, and your patience guys i really appreciate it.

Now its time to make some booze, oh yeah!

[MuleKicker]

I can hold it at temperature to point 1 of a degree....

its not the controller that does that, it is the composition of the wash. the controller will make more/less vapor.

[DAveCuds]

Does anyone know of an alternative to Thermal paste, say something i may find around the house.
Or would ordinary grease work, or something like that?

[MuleKicker]

automotive store. Caliper grease/dielectric compound. I dont know the negatives of using regular grease, but when it gets hot, its gonna get thin and run all over.

[DAveCuds]

Cheers Mule,
Rad suggested sunscreen but ive been doing a bit more research and apparently it drys out in a few days. Have u had any experience with Caliper grease?
Is this 100% money back guaranteed?

[rad14701]

Cheers Mule,
Rad suggested sunscreen but ive been doing a bit more research and apparently it drys out in a few days. Have u had any experience with Caliper grease?
Is this 100% money back guaranteed?

Electronic thermal paste also dries... I've used both commercial thermal paste and Zinc Oxide with the same results, and I use thermal pastes almost every day...

[MuleKicker]

Yes I have. If you read instructions w/ caliper grease, it doubles as dielectric compound. Its what I have been using for a long time.

[DAveCuds]

So....when it dries it still transfers heat?
I kinda like the idea of using sunscreen. I hate buying something and using 1% of it then never looking at it again. Kinda like when u buy super glue and the next time u want to use it it's all dried up and what not, then u go buy some more. That sucks.

[rad14701]

So....when it dries it still transfers heat?
I kinda like the idea of using sunscreen. I hate buying something and using 1% of it then never looking at it again. Kinda like when u buy super glue and the next time u want to use it it's all dried up and what not, then u go buy some more. That sucks.

The Zinc transfers the heat... Any liquid is for application purposes only...

[DAveCuds]

swweet!

[Centar]

Just about any zinc oxide ointment will work as an heat sink paste but they usually don't have the silicon oil to prevent them from drying out like the real heat sink paste does.

Considering the low cost of the real macoy and it's wide spread availability (any electronic store or online) and that a ounce or two will last you a LONG time there is NO reason to use a substitute, save for an emergency situation...but I would still replace it with the right stuff later on.

There exists thermal epoxy that not only transfers the heat but bonds the part to the heat sink as well...

And of course there is the best way and that is NO paste at all but to solder the part directly to the heat sink but this usually can only be done with tab mounted devices and copper heat sinks (which are the best) BUT I have yet to see anyone do this yet here....

[rad14701]

And of course there is the best way and that is NO paste at all but to solder the part directly to the heat sink but this usually can only be done with tab mounted devices and copper heat sinks (which are the best) BUT I have yet to see anyone do this yet here....

I have tab soldered before, onto copper, but it's pretty darned hard to solder to an aluminum heat sink...

I haven't done it in years, however, because by the time you get the component hot enough to solder the tab you've just about exceeded the thermal limits of the component... That was the problem I had...

[Centar]

The problem with too much heat when "tab" soldering a component onto a heatsink has been worsened by the use of non-lead solders these days (they require higher temp. to melt)
It would be best to use a lead solder (70/30) and apply a temp heatsink to the leads of the component (pair needle nose pliers, etc) when soldering it to the heatsink...

[Sr WiNdTech]

Here is a random link I just found... - http://www.instructables.com/id/Super-E ... Crydom-So/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Just another way to go about it...

Could help people who search for certain terms used in this thread.

[maheel]

Here is a random link I just found... - http://www.instructables.com/id/Super-E ... Crydom-So/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Just another way to go about it...

Could help people who search for certain terms used in this thread.

this is just on and off not any sort of control is it? just switching a relay ??

[Sr WiNdTech]

I posted it mainly to show that you can use your pc to control things easily. (USB TO SERIAL for newer pc's)

Me personally... I will have something similar to Mulekicker's build for a Phase angle controller, my controller will be worth around $350+(120v and/or 240v), should be done in a week just waiting on a few parts yet. I will have a picture tutorial posted here aswell so stay tuned! (in a new thread)

[rad14701]

While there are several ways to control electronics via either DB9/25 serial or centronics parallel printer ports, most newer computers don't come with either... And without adequate software, managing control is difficult... Not to mention wear and tear on the PC... I've created PC controlled peripherals, as well as device drivers and software, in the past, and it's not for the faint at heart...

[Sr WiNdTech]

Just putting this out there for Mulekicker and others - http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =2&t=20076

opps that one got deleted... check this - http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =2&t=20084

Rad can't take facts...

[greenthumb]

@sr windtech

why cant i see the links you have provided in the last post?
You are not authorised to read this forum.