Home Distiller

I am putting my heat controller together and I was thinking that I bought a PSR-25 but instead I bought this http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008MPK4I ... w_d_dsc_hi" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow Reading through the different controller threads and I see some of the SSR-25 need a 24 volt transformer. Do I need a transformer for the one I bought? I also bought a 2 w pot and a amp meter is there anything else I need to run my heating element?

PSR's are resistance controlled and SSR's are voltage controlled... Well, that's just a simple comparison - and perhaps too simple... Voltage controlled require an additional control module whereas a resistance controlled only requires a right sized potentiometer, making them cheaper and simpler to set up...

So then I need to buy an additional control module and a transformer to make it work or just buy a PSR-25

drinkingdog wrote: Do I need a transformer for the one I bought? I also bought a 2 w pot and a amp meter is there anything else I need to run my heating element?

No you don't need a transformer for that PSR. You need 10 Guge wires and a box.

So what I have then is considered a PSR?

Different brands have different names. You just need to know how that SSR or PSR is controlled.
Relay is OK If you see something like this:

Product Name : Solid State Relay Voltage Resistance Regulator + Heat Sink;Model : SSR-40VA

Rated Current : 40A;Resistance : 470-560k ohm

Buying a PSR and potentiometer is probably cheaper and better in the long run than sinking more money, time, and effort, into the SSR... Unless you can find a dirt cheap control module and power supply...

I know I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed so that probably is part of the reason why I'm confused. I think Sambedded you are telling me that what I have does the same thing that a psr-25 control module will do without adding any additional items except a pot amp meter and of course the proper wiring and housing to put it all in. Now I am also getting the impression from rad that I need other things like another control module and regulator to make what I have work. I don't have a bit of a problem buying a psr-25 control module to make things work if needed. I'm just trying to get my new baby up and walking around this weekend if possible. So if anybody can confirm what I have will work wired the same way as the psr-25 it would be greatly appreciated.

Just make a quick test setup using your SSR , any type of wire and connect a light bulb instead of heater. You will see immediately if works or not.

Reading your OP and researching the maker of the SSr it is indeed a Amico Solid State Relay Voltage Resistance Regulator. So all you need is a Potentiometer with a Resistance within 470-560K Ohm and your away.

Thanks Sambedded and Muddydisco. I appreciate the info. I did try hooking it up to a light last night and it worked like a charm. I can't wait to get all of this put together so as to finally get to try this 6 month project out. Starting to get excited about drinking something that I made. First stuff shouldn't be too bad since I'm sticking to the tried and true recipes for a while.