Yes, I misstated.
Resisitive Temperature Device or Resistive Thermal Device (2-wire or 3-wire)
We use transmitters too,
http://www.omega.com/Manuals/manualpdf/M1253.pdf
I'm a Journeyman Wireman, too.
The small compressors for the smaller air cylinders aren't that bad. Heck, the can even be silienced.
RTDs are used in process pipe temperature measurements. Variable resistor would have been a more appropriate term(s) the sending in the gas tank and the RTD. The difference between the two is one operates do to temp and the other off of positon. My mistake. Thermocouples I would use for the meat temperature or smoker temp measurements. I just prefer RTDs.
I saw on here yesterday, on the thread about the dance hall drop box, where the owner used a thermostat from what look like a heat trace controller. Excellent way to control heat in a smoker as the temp settings are high and the contactors that come with the package are heavy duty (30 amps if I'm not mistaken). Finding old thermostat controllers like that is something I may come across. We service oil storage and pumping facilities. Heck, we threw one away the other day because the capillary tube had tar all over it. It was an old Nelson. We kept the explosion-proof box though, they are hard to come by.
I'm really interested in what you are doing.
What's the stroke length?
http://www.orientalmotor.com/product...IMO/LimoLh.pdf
What type of insulation value are you using for the wire? Silicone, THHN, or fiber glass? 105°C, 125°C or plus? And, how are you mounting your motor, on the outside or underneath away from the heat? Or, is the motor heat resistant?