Seems over the past few months I've gotten about a half dozen PM messages requesting more info on the MYPIN TA4 PID controller configuration, a copy of a better manual, or general assistance with MYPIN TA4 and SSR issues. So, I thought I would just post some of the documents in a stand alone post to make it easier for people to find the info when they need it.
If you are not familiar with a MYPIN TA4 it is an inexpensive Chinese PID controller often found on E-bay for anywhere from $10 to $25. Let me through this caveat out for those considering purchasing a TA4. I have not personally purchased one, but I do know a little bit about them and how they work. There are a lot of "knock offs" of the real TA4's being sold on E-bay (who would thought inexpensive Chinese stuff would be "knocked off" by the Chinese, but I digress). I also have heard of people who have bought them and they were dead out of the box and never worked properly. So it's sort of like anything you buy for the lowest dollar possible on E-bay that comes from China, it will either work or be a total waste of your time & money. With that out of the way, let's get started....
Note:*** I personally would go with one of the Auber Instruments PID controllers (not sure if they are a forum sponsor, so I don't want to post a direct link - but google it and it's easy to find). There are a lot of people in here and on other forums who use their products. Seem to be very good quality, have excellent customer service and tech support, and they are located in Alpharetta, Georgia (USA). And their prices are very reasonable IMO.
The TA4 is just one of a housing style the TA series controller is available in. I believe these guidelines would generally apply to all the TA series.
The MYPIN TA4 is a PID temperature control device similar to the Aubrin units which are popular with DIY type projects in both the BBQ smoking and home-brewing (beer!!!) communities. It is a digital device that uses a temperature probe to sense the temperature of a process and apply a programed action at a user designated set point, either turning on or off another higher load device, such as a electric heating element in BBQ applications. They can also control power draft fans, pumps, valves, and dang near any other electrical device you can think of. The TA4 comes in several configurations, with the SSR (Solid State Relay) triggering output or Relay (dry contact relay or simple relay switch) being the most common.
General specifications for the TA4 and how to read the specifics of a particular model can be found in this chart:
Here is a PDF of the full product info and configuration guide:
https://statich.smokingmeatforums.com/5/55/5585f942_MYPINTA4productinfopage.pdf
Here is the pin out schematic for the wiring of the screw terminals on the back of the TA4:
Here is a photos of the schematic on an TA4 (each units should have this schematic and I have been told there are some that differ from the general schematic MYPIN published, if the schematic on the side of your MYPIN is different that the drawing above, use the one on the actual PID!)
Here is the factory MYPIN TA series manual:
https://statich.smokingmeatforums.com/7/77/77db1c39_MypinTA4manual1.pdf
Here is a better version of the manual that is much clearer on the actual configuration of the various functions of the PID. This is the document I seem to receive the most emails & PM's on requesting. I found a newer revision than the one I've been sharing, and this is the latest version I have:
https://statich.smokingmeatforums.com/6/60/601df7c1_MYPINTA4PIDInstructionManual-goodone.pdf
Now I'm not the end all Guru on PID's and SSR's but I'm more than happy to help when I think I can. There are plenty of others in this forum who feel the same way (and probably know more than I ever will), so please feel free to post questions here and I'll try to help.
I've got some general smoker PID to SSR & heating element schematics I will post once I tweak them a little bit. But this is a start.
If you are not familiar with a MYPIN TA4 it is an inexpensive Chinese PID controller often found on E-bay for anywhere from $10 to $25. Let me through this caveat out for those considering purchasing a TA4. I have not personally purchased one, but I do know a little bit about them and how they work. There are a lot of "knock offs" of the real TA4's being sold on E-bay (who would thought inexpensive Chinese stuff would be "knocked off" by the Chinese, but I digress). I also have heard of people who have bought them and they were dead out of the box and never worked properly. So it's sort of like anything you buy for the lowest dollar possible on E-bay that comes from China, it will either work or be a total waste of your time & money. With that out of the way, let's get started....
Note:*** I personally would go with one of the Auber Instruments PID controllers (not sure if they are a forum sponsor, so I don't want to post a direct link - but google it and it's easy to find). There are a lot of people in here and on other forums who use their products. Seem to be very good quality, have excellent customer service and tech support, and they are located in Alpharetta, Georgia (USA). And their prices are very reasonable IMO.
The TA4 is just one of a housing style the TA series controller is available in. I believe these guidelines would generally apply to all the TA series.
The MYPIN TA4 is a PID temperature control device similar to the Aubrin units which are popular with DIY type projects in both the BBQ smoking and home-brewing (beer!!!) communities. It is a digital device that uses a temperature probe to sense the temperature of a process and apply a programed action at a user designated set point, either turning on or off another higher load device, such as a electric heating element in BBQ applications. They can also control power draft fans, pumps, valves, and dang near any other electrical device you can think of. The TA4 comes in several configurations, with the SSR (Solid State Relay) triggering output or Relay (dry contact relay or simple relay switch) being the most common.
General specifications for the TA4 and how to read the specifics of a particular model can be found in this chart:
Here is a PDF of the full product info and configuration guide:
https://statich.smokingmeatforums.com/5/55/5585f942_MYPINTA4productinfopage.pdf
Here is the pin out schematic for the wiring of the screw terminals on the back of the TA4:
Here is a photos of the schematic on an TA4 (each units should have this schematic and I have been told there are some that differ from the general schematic MYPIN published, if the schematic on the side of your MYPIN is different that the drawing above, use the one on the actual PID!)
Here is the factory MYPIN TA series manual:
https://statich.smokingmeatforums.com/7/77/77db1c39_MypinTA4manual1.pdf
Here is a better version of the manual that is much clearer on the actual configuration of the various functions of the PID. This is the document I seem to receive the most emails & PM's on requesting. I found a newer revision than the one I've been sharing, and this is the latest version I have:
https://statich.smokingmeatforums.com/6/60/601df7c1_MYPINTA4PIDInstructionManual-goodone.pdf
Now I'm not the end all Guru on PID's and SSR's but I'm more than happy to help when I think I can. There are plenty of others in this forum who feel the same way (and probably know more than I ever will), so please feel free to post questions here and I'll try to help.
I've got some general smoker PID to SSR & heating element schematics I will post once I tweak them a little bit. But this is a start.
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