PID for Kiln Control

[Wowndeye]

Hey everyone,

I'm brand new here and looking for some help. I've got a small Paragon Kiln that I purchased for heat treating knives. I was using a small forge for heat treating previous projects but have started using steels that require more specific temperatures as well as soak times to get the most out of the steel.

So the kiln I have has no temperature control so I'm working on building a small box that will house the PID controller and other components which the kiln will plug in to.

I was looking for help in a blade making forum but help stalled out there and figured that this may be a more appropriate group to ask for help about this project anyways.

The kiln I have is a small Paragon E9C which is 120v.

So here's the parts I've received from Auber Insturments:

PID - http://www.auberins.com/index.php?ma...&products_id=3
SSR - http://www.auberins.com/index.php?ma...&products_id=9
Heat Sink - http://www.auberins.com/index.php?ma...roducts_id=244
6" Thermocouple - http://www.auberins.com/index.php?ma...products_id=22

Here's the link to the wiring diagram they gave me:

http://auberins.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=20

I've also purchased:

Metal ammo can for housing
DPST illuminated switch (diagram made it look like that's what I needed
15A Fuse holder with fast blow fuses
14 gauge wire for connecting everything (black for hot, white for neutral, green for ground)
18 gauge wire to connect SSR to PID
Single receptacle for kiln to plug into
Plug to power up PID

So below here is what I drew up for tying everything together. So If anyone can offer either confirmation or redirect me as needed that would be awesome! I don't want to fry anything at the least or kill myself at the worst!

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...605_181220.jpg
Just realized the above photo of my drawing doesn't show the Line of the Plug to Kiln connecting to the 2 terminal of the SSR.

Photo of components
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...605_181425.jpg
Photo from instructions for PID
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...605_182051.jpg

Thanks in advance,

Josh

 

[(*steve*)]

Yeah, that looks reasonable.

Several minor things:

1) I would put the fuse before the switch.

2) When you connect the thermocouple, to check you have it the right way around hold the thermocouple in your fingers. If the temperature shown increases you have it OK. If it decreases you have it wrong. (of course this only works if the ambient temperature is significantly less than about 35C/95F. If your thermocouple is clearly marked this should not be a problem.

 

[BobK]

Y(of course this only works if the ambient temperature is significantly less than about 35C/95F.

But, what if he is a reptilian?

Bob

 

[(*steve*)]

But, what if he is a reptilian

He needs to sun himself long enough to raise his body temperature above ambient air temperature.