120vac in, 1500w cartridge heating element. The controller is an Auber Instruments DSPR400, so it has a mash (traditional PID) mode and a distilling mode which is a high frequency cycling of the element to produce a potentiometer effect so that I can set the output of the element as a percentage. There are also two relays, so relay 1 is a limit control (the second PID), I have it set to shut down the system and latch shut if the condensate rises above a set point (i.e. cooling water is warming for some reason). Relay 2 is gratuitous, but I wired it to a mini relay (instead of ssr) to power a 120vac solenoid valve. I have that backed up with a ball valve, so that I can have the pump turn on to run the condenser from a set point (like when the first bits of fores climb up the column) until the system shuts down. The led is looped in as an indicator that the pump is running.
The DSPR also has some cool features of its own, ramping to a set point and dropping back to a preset % out, and a programmable shut-off temp. I'd argue a SPDT switch with a simple POT/PSR (my current 220 system) on one side and a PID on the other is ample but this is fun so why not?
Still to do: wire in an AC ammeter (I bought and installed a DC, whoops!), wire the pump in, add an RTD coupler for the limit control to disconnect from the box, and I'll be adding a blue or red indicator light for when the element is on. And zip tie all the wires up nice and clean, its a bit messy in there right now but I want to finish wiring first.
Plan is, if I like this system I will do it for 220v as well to upgrade my 15 gallon still. Thanks for reading!
PS I didn't know how to do any of this stuff, couldn't solder, weld, or do anything except make beer with a propane burner and weldless fittings on a keggle 'til I found this form. This hobby has sent me out into the world thirsty for knowledge and I've learned so much (and have so far to go). So thanks and cheers to the community here!
