Another SCR and Meter Question

[instillonight]

I have a PID TA4 series controller. I have used it twice once on an acid/cleaning run and once on a sweet potato mash. It took forever to heat up 4 gallons and 6 gallons. I didn't use autotune and just kept adjusting the temp up and down mostly up. Anyway SCR controllers are cheap so I am going to to get a 110V one. I would rather do 220 but I don't have a shop or garage and don't want to change an outlet in my kitchen for a 30l still. I am wondering if it is ok to control an outlet? Like how PIDs are hooked up. Or does it need to be directly wired to the element? It would just be easier to move the still if the element can unplug.

I was also thinking about adding one of these. And was wondering if anyone has had any experience with one.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/100A-AC-LCD-Di ... %3A2334524

Thanks

[Demy]

Ciao,I have a simple scr module, closed in a box with a small fan that cools and works very well. The box has a socket where I attach the heating element. I only have a small display that reads the volts.

[instillonight]

Thanks. I don't see any reason not to power a 20 amp outlet with the controller. The diagrams I have seen don't have it running an outlet though. The meter is really just a cheap aesthetic addition. But if people have tried them and they were a bust... It's still $15/13 euros I would rather not waste

[Demy]

Thanks. I don't see any reason not to power a 20 amp outlet with the controller. The diagrams I have seen don't have it running an outlet though. The meter is really just a cheap aesthetic addition. But if people have tried them and they were a bust... It's still $15/13 euros I would rather not waste

I have this configuration. This allows me to use the regulator also for beer or other.

volt.png (5.86 KiB) Viewed 1835 times

[instillonight]

Thanks again Demy. That is what I was thinking. I think I will buy the meter from Amazon closer to my next run. So it will be easier to return if it doesn't work out

[seabass]

I'm using that type of meter. As long as you put the current transformer before the scr, you'll have good results.

[sambedded]

I'm using that type of meter. As long as you put the current transformer before the scr, you'll have good results.

It doesn't matter where to put current transformer. But the voltage supply lines for meter (contacts 3.4 for that case) should be connected before SCR.

[dukethebeagle120]

How big an element you running???

[Pesty]

Check the dishwasher outlet, its usually a 20amp dedicated 110 plug.

[zapata]

Or the stove? Even better if you have a gas stove and there's an unused high amperage outlet just waiting for you.

But you need to do something for GFCI protection, whether thats inline or in the breaker box.

[instillonight]

I'm running a 4500 watt 240V element on a 120 volt plug. So 1125 watt on a GFCI circuit. I bought a 110v 4000 watt scr regulator on ebay. But apparently there was an issue. So I was refunded. Now I think I will buy a 220/240 10,000 watt regulator and wire it to 115 volt. If I am correct they are European single phase 220/240 volt. Not US split phase 240V. Unless I am totally wrong and they are set up for 2 hot wires.

Edit to add. I could pull out the stove and plug into that outlet but I would rather not. If I was running a larger still it might make sense. But I think 8 gallons on 110 volt is fine. My house was a duplex at one time. So I have 2 meters and 2 breaker boxes. With about 10 free spaces breakers. I broached swapping out an existing outlet with a 240 one but the boss was not so much onboard. Or adding a whole new one. Maybe I will just do it and hid it behind some furniture or somethin

[sambedded]

Now I think I will buy a 220/240 10,000 watt regulator and wire it to 115 volt. If I am correct they are European single phase 220/240 volt. Not US split phase 240V. Unless I am totally wrong and they are set up for 2 hot wires.

From a regulator point of view there is no difference if 240V is made from one phase or two.