Need an EE's help with hacking a SCR (I think)

[theskaz]

Hello guys, some quick background:

By trade, I am a software developer in the Windows/.Net space. I decided that I wanted to build a mobile application for brewing and distilling. really its for brewing beer, but it will be programmed to allow itself to be used to control a still. So i need my setup to be able to dynamically control the amount of power going to a 5500w element. I used to use this inline with my still: http://www.suntekstore.com/goods.php?id ... edium=paid" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow. it is a 10k watt SCR voltage regulator. In the back of the control panel, there is a 4pin connector. its labels are Vin, GND, SCR, and ZERO. i want to plug that into an arduino. Vin and GND are self explanatory, but Zero and SCR are not. I assume that I am going to wire them to digital pins on the arduino but not sure what to. I did some research on zero crossing circuits, but my knowledge of electrical engineering isnt that deep, and it went over my head real quick. so my question is this:

What kind of signals would have to be used on Zero and SCR to manipulate the 0-100% (that reads out on the display) and what voltage would that be?

[Edwin Croissant]

This post will give you some information.
I looked into interfacing this with an Arduino but the 5V for the controller is not galvanically separated from the mains. So I think it's better starting from scratch. Maybe this is useful.

[theskaz]

I am reading through those articles and trying my best to digest what I am reading.

On a note about the "Start from scratch" subject. I am currently designing my own shield, and could implement my own power control in the board, just have to learn how.


ultimately my goal is to use software to control the arduino, to control the amount of power applied to the 220v 30a circuit.