PI Controller project

[JC in GB]

Good day all. Not sure if anyone is interested in this but I have been working on a PI controller design for use on a charcoal smoker. My point to this was to evaluate if an analog PI controller will regulate smoker temp as well as a digital PID controller. My testing up to this point has been promising but, as with any design work, I have had a few setbacks. If all goes well, I think I can produce a controller that will regulate a charcoal smoker as well as a digital PID controller for around $10. I have attached a picture of my breadboard design test circuit. The circuit consists of a PT-100 temperature sensor input amplifier, an analog comparator stage, an integrator stage, and the output driver stage. Right now, I have started working on the output driver but have been having some headaches getting it to switch on at the right point. If you have made it this far, thanks for looking. I am very close to building the working prototype and testing it on my smoker.

JC

 

[forktender]

That is awesome Jeff, I have no idea what I am looking at, but I want to be one of your test subject. It would be really cool to hook one up to my weber kettle, with a rotisserie on it.
Keep at it bruth'a, I know you'll get it dialed in.

 

[mr_whipple]

Looks interesting. I've grown lazy in the last few years with my new job and do absolutely no component level work anymore. Following!

 

[dsk]

The original PID controllers were pnuematic, and transitioned to analog electric before being implemented with digital circuitry.

 

[Fueling Around]

Too cool man.
I am not good with electronics. I'm on the power side with good old A/C. Pretty good for a (tired) mechanical engineer.

 

[Fueling Around]

The original PID controllers were pnuematic, and transitioned to analog electric before being implemented with digital circuitry.

I'm from the age when a lot of controls breadboard design began with pneumatic.
A few years later controls were digital that needed A to D translators.

 

[bigfurmn]

To quote Honer Simpson "uhhh can you repeat the whole part where you talked about the stuff?" Sounds cool of it understand it right.

 

[hoity toit]

Too cool man.
I am not good with electronics. I'm on the power side with good old A/C. Pretty good for a (tired) mechanical engineer.

Me also,,,Master Electrician for 40 yrs.