Pulse width modulated control with solid state relay?

[sandsquirt]

Hello, I was searching for heating element controls for a pony keg still that I have in my future. I found a number of controlers that others have built on a home brewing site. One of the cheapest and easiest to build was a pulse width modulated control (PWM) feeding a solid state relay (SSR) for the element. It was built off of one of these http://www.bakatronics.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=383" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow.
Does anybody have any experience with this type of controller. I understand that brewers and distillers have different needs in temp control. Also, since my batches will be around 5 gallons sould I look for 115v or 230v set-up and which element should I run. I would like have my still producing within 1 hour of plugging it in.

I do not want to break any rules. Is it safe to post links to that control build thread?

Thanks

[Coaster]

@ sandsquirt,

Welcome to the Forum.

Unaware about the Pulse Width Modulated Controller you are attempting to make but many individuals on the Forum have made PSR-25 based Phase Angle Controller to control their boiler electric elements.

You can make a PSR-25 based Phase Angle Controllers in either 120v or 220v. The ‘Heating Element Control’ thread in the ‘Related Hardware and Appurtenances’ Forum is rather extensive (29 pages) but in that thread there is information/diagram for a PSR-25 based Phase Angle Controller. The ‘Phase Angle Control modules’ thread in the ‘New distiller reading Lounge’ provides links for the parts to make a PSR-25 based Phase Angle Controller.

Regards,
Coaster

[sandsquirt]

Thank You. I did spend hours in that thread. Thats what made me try a little more research. I found that the home brewers were putting those controllers together for a few bucks minus the SSR. It is a pretty good read. I wasn't sure that I should put a link to that forums thread here. It just looks like a different way at doing things. The homebrewers have been going "electric" for quite a while now and they chat more about it. I thought that this idea would have been used over here by now.

[rad14701]

While 555 based PWM's can be used they are a bit trickier for those with little to no electronics experience to implement... I've built several but still like other phase angle control designs better, mainly because they run totally off mains power rather than requiring low DC voltage... It comes down to a matter of choice...