PID mod/addition to Cookshack Smokette? Anyone done this?

[tjrr]

Recently I've seen PID kits for around $20-30. Thinking about either building an external plugin box or chopping a hole in the top panel of my Smokette. Have any of y'all tried this?

 

[bmaddox]

I have built a controller for a sous-vide machine and have been looking into building one for a smoker. The problem I have been running into with a smoker controller is getting one that has the amp capacity to power the element (I am trying to power a 1500 Watt element). I enlisted the help of a friend that works for an industrial HVAC control company since he deals with PID's every day and he said that by the time he built one from scratch I would have over $100 into it so the best bet is to buy one from Auber since their prices are extremely reasonable.

 

[smokin phil]

Power problem is easy. Surprised your PID guy didn't know that. Yes, you can buy an Auber and it will work great. I contend I can build better for less. More work? Yes. But I'm getting paid nothing either way. I have FAR more time than money.

 

[bmaddox]

Power problem is easy. Surprised your PID guy didn't know that. Yes, you can buy an Auber and it will work great. I contend I can build better for less. More work? Yes. But I'm getting paid nothing either way. I have FAR more time than money.

We had no problem figuring out the power problem but it involved spending more money. By the time I had priced out all the parts for a complete control box with probe, plugs, case, etc I was over $100. When I can go to Auber and buy one for $150 and not spend a day cursing at myself while building the controller than it is worth the $50.

 

[tjrr]

Smokette is 500 watts. I thought I'd use a solid state relay. Not the right answer?

 

[bmaddox]

Actually at 500 watts you will find that almost all PID controllers can power that right out of the box without an SSR (although my understanding is that a controller with an SSR will have a longer life span)

 

[smokin phil]

If it were me, I'd use the SSR. I just think it would be better all around in the long run, and they are fairly inexpensive.

 

[old sarge]

Have you asked this at the Cookshack site?