Automatic Temperature Control

[thesmokingpenguin]

The Heatermeter system is a great project - i've built a couple of the variants and because it's open-source, i've reprogrammed them to do a few more bits and bobs. A few words of advice - the parts cost will add up probably to a bit more than you imagine (rasp pi / HM pcb / parts / shipping from US suppliers / project container / extras) - it's not the "cheap" option. If you haven't got soldering kit that'll set you back a bit - i wouldnt go rushing in with a cheapy soldering iron. if you're a little rusty or beginner to soldering, get some veroboard or goto maplins and get one of their little practice kits first - make your mistakes first. always over order on your componenets! also, whilst the instructions are v good, a bit of tech knowledge doesn't go amis for setting up.

All that being said, I've made a couple and will be building a few more for this season running custom code and with the hardware tweaked a quite bit - so if anybody needs any help (or dare I say soldering lessons) - hit me up - i'll be at every comp this year

Kit I would suggest you need;
Solder iron - decent Antex soldering iron (you can get a weller one, but their entry level ones are shit)
or Solder station (temp controlled) - the much better option, but well pricey
Good quality thin solder (rosin core)
anti-static solder pump
desolder braid
Side cutters
needle nose pliers
IC inserter
xacto knife
multimeter - not a cheap one, their continuity tests can fry ic's
metal shaving solder cleaner (invaluable! although probalby not essential)
a grounding kit with wrist or foot band - nothing more annoying that frying your ICs by accidental discharge!

Re controllers, I've not got one yet, but what I am looking at is:
https://github.com/CapnBry/HeaterMeter/ ... 0-Assembly

with a Raspberry Pi

http://raspberrypi.rsdelivers.com/default.aspx?cl=1

I think it comes to around £100.

[aris]

What algorithms are you using or temperature control? I'm using a basic on/off thermostat model on my arduino controller. I tried a PID algorithm but it didn't behave as I expected. I may re visit that sometime.

[thesmokingpenguin]

What algorithms are you using or temperature control? I'm using a basic on/off thermostat model on my arduino controller. I tried a PID algorithm but it didn't behave as I expected. I may re visit that sometime.

Here's a good start for you:
http://playground.arduino.cc/Code/PIDLibrary

3 years of electronic engineering was basically maths, so i've got a pretty good head for this stuff, but if you look at the following link and can get your head around it, you'll know how to tweak to get what you're looking for:
http://brettbeauregard.com/blog/2011/04 ... roduction/

Above and beyond that, the rest of it is adding features to your core functionality (PID) and nice UX

[aris]

Yes, seen those

I will have to try it again sometime. To be honest, I think an on/off thermostat is probably ok. Will do more testing come spring.

[keith157]

Dear Penguin, most certainly we will be "hitting you up" but that will have nothing to do with electronics, just the product of the electronics and your "rubbing ability"

[thesmokingpenguin]

Dear Penguin, most certainly we will be "hitting you up" but that will have nothing to do with electronics, just the product of the electronics and your "rubbing ability"

Keith! Your filthy! Don't let mrs penguin hear that!

[keith157]

Hey you advertised your abilities I merely promote them.............pro-bono

[robgunby]

Thought I would revive this thread to ask a question rather than start afresh. I'm thinking about making one as per this thread http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showt ... p?t=117534 but I have zilch experience in electronics. It looks easy enough, but I confess I don't really understand the schematic. Anyone got any thoughts on the simplicity to build and effectiveness of this design?

It looks to me like I could get a forced air setup for under £50!

[tommo666]

I built the heatermeter and use it to monitor the temps. My pit has temp control so i don't need that function. I like the wireless and can connect to it easily. I would lie to make the interface nicer but i don't program.

Have a look at the igrill MK2, that support 4 probes.