Auberins distillery controller

[Big Stogie]

Anyone ever use one of these ? It had a lot of options and seems interesting not sure it’s going to a big advantage. What are your thoughts? https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main ... cts_id=559" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[Pikey]

Interesting - Not a lot of use to us tho'

[Desvio]

I use their DSPR1 in my controller, has some neat features that I really don't use, think this could be more of a conversational piece than a functional one.

[Big Stogie]

I have 3 of the ez boil in my brewery panel I like them

[acfixer69]

Interesting - Not a lot of use to us tho'

This one and all the PID's with manual are made for our application. Just need the right relay.

[6 Row Joe]

I started with a Pid but switched to a variable controller. The on/off operation of the pid does maintain temperature but you still have to program it to increase temperature. It seems the pid smears theheads more because itstays longer on full power. The variable is much smoother and takes less current. It reduces the current to the element. I turn it to "full" to bring it to temp and once I see output I switch it to It's lowest setting. It slowly raises to just over 200° Over the course of the run then I bump it up a bit to finish the tails. I tried the pid on my last run and I'll be going back to the variable next time.

[hpby98]

I started with a Pid but switched to a variable controller. The on/off operation of the pid does maintain temperature but you still have to program it to increase temperature. It seems the pid smears theheads more because itstays longer on full power. The variable is much smoother and takes less current. It reduces the current to the element. I turn it to "full" to bring it to temp and once I see output I switch it to It's lowest setting. It slowly raises to just over 200° Over the course of the run then I bump it up a bit to finish the tails. I tried the pid on my last run and I'll be going back to the variable next time.

Good info

I have cheap eBay 10,000 watt SCR that’s worked great, with a small computer fan helping it

0-100 %, adjustable 1% at a time. Kinda sorta

[NZChris]

Interesting - Not a lot of use to us tho'

Don't confuse this with the usual PIDs newbies think they can control temperature with, Pikey, if these do what the blurb says they do, I want one.

[rubelstrudel]

I don't get it. I sthe solid state relay being used to turn the heater on and off like a simple PID or is this thing doing the same as a thyristor power controller, cutting off part of each sine wave?

[Yummyrum]

Rubelstrudel , these auberin controllers drive a SSR—DA type of slid state relay
SSR—DA relays are zero crossing devises . They switch on for a whole half mains cycle .( yes they have a Triac device in them just like the SCR controllers or SSR — VR type controllers but they conduct for a full half cycle at a time ) ... hence they use a differnt control method to phase control used by the SCR or SSR — VR controllers

They (Auberins ) use two options in their controllers .
The first is Time proportional control which turns the element on for a number of mains cycles proportional to the power setting . IE set it to 75% power it turns on for 75 mains cycles and off for 25 .

OR burst mode .

This uses a bit of computer power to calculate the best combination of cycles to achieve the power you need but spread out more evenly . So 75% power would be on for 3 mains cycles and off of 1 .

The advantage is that the element is getting more averaged power for less surging .

My next controller will be a DSPR1 controlling a SSR 40 DA .

[rubelstrudel]

Ah, thanks.
Probably the same type of controller that is in my induction stove top then. The buzzing changes as I step up the power. Always wondered about that.

[6 Row Joe]

You guys will have to try one and report back.

[Big Stogie]

OK so im not crazy this thing has potential. I ordered one today and some parts to build a fancy controller will make a thread and report back

[hpby98]

OK so im not crazy this thing has potential. I ordered one today and some parts to build a fancy controller will make a thread and report back

get the matching relay from them as well?

[Big Stogie]

I did, and a few other things to make it overly complicated but cool

[NineInchNails]

I built a single controller using an Auber PID Controller as well as a Still Dragon DIY Controller kit which is variable control (and added a digital volt & amp meter). I used a 3 Position Rotary Cam Switch to switch from PID to variable control. This controller is very convenient to use.

The reason I mentioned my controller above is because it required two different types of SSRs, two heat sinks, LOTS of wiring, two control systems (PID and variable) and a big switch to flip from PID to variable. Now if Auber has created one little unit that controls one SSR, does more than what my controller does, less components, less expensive, a significantly smaller enclosure ... then they've got a real winner here!

The only thing that I suspect people won't like is that they can't install one of those nice digital amp, volt, watt, power indicators. Since the Auber unit turns power to the element rapidly on and off it would also turn the meter on and off making it not practical. Not really a big deal though.