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  • #983505
    Mark Wilson
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        i just went surplus shopping for kimberly (kbinkster) and purchased her a FUJI PYZ temperature controller and an Omron MK3 relay to make a temperature controller. i plan to wire it up to check it out before i mail it to her, and i plan to take photos to guide people through the process of making your own controller. so far the parts cost is a total of $25!!!!!!! with this hardware, i can add a digital temperature controller to any 110V kiln. i could controll a 220V kiln if i purchased a different relay. here is a picture of the hardware.

        #1014228
        Teri.p
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            [i]Originally posted by Mark Wilson [/i]
            [B] and i plan to take photos to guide people through the process of making your own controller. [/B]

            Mark —

            That will be wonderful!!! Thanks in advance. I’m saving up for a kiln, and if I can shave some $$ off the cost it’ll be that much sooner I can get one.

            Teri

            #1014129
            Mike E etc
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                wow,
                go Mark.

                I am using a watlow, sp, controller just as a temp gauge!!!@$$#%^$!!!!!!!!!

                Mike E

                #1014141
                Mark Wilson
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                    [i]Originally posted by Mike E etc [/i]
                    [B]I am using a watlow, sp, controller just as a temp gauge!!!@$$#%^$!!!!!!!!! Mike E [/B]

                    WHY?

                    #1014227
                    Just Nancy
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                        Mark,
                        I anxiously await your attempt.

                        A friend tried to price parts to try this for me and wasn’t successful.

                        I love your enthusiasm.

                        Nancy

                        #1014200
                        BabsW
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                            #1014229
                            dragonflylane
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                                Hi Mark!

                                That would be awesome! My stepdad is an aero engineer (the man can make me feel stupid talking about waffles!) and I was thinking about proposing the idea of him building me a digital controller. Hell…if he can wire the instrument panel in leir jets this would be child’s play, right?

                                Could you build your own kiln as well? Or is that just asking for a spot on the Darwin Award list?

                                Christie :wave:
                                DragonflyLane (a very neglected site)

                                There is a fine line between coincidence and fate. - Ardeth Bay

                                #1014205
                                rlisfolks
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                                    Mark, you couldn’t have posted this at a better time!! I’ll be watching anxiously for your posts!!!

                                    Dawn

                                    #1014226
                                    Rexxy
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                                        Will you be putting this information on your new CD that you are making?

                                        Rex

                                        #1014204
                                        midniteburner
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                                            And I thought that I was going to have to wait for the video/DVD:rolleyes: :D :rolleyes:

                                            Mark, you’re a sweety!!!!

                                            Sara

                                            #1014218
                                            kbinkster
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                                                I’m the luckiest girl on WC!:D
                                                Thanks again, Mark, I am so grateful!!!
                                                ~Kimberly

                                                Kimberly :wave:

                                                Want to know more about me? Check out my user profile.

                                                #1014142
                                                Mark Wilson
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                                                    the basic temperature controller consists of 3 major items, a thermocouple to sense the temperature, a temperature controller module to use the thermocouple reading to control the kiln, and a power relay to actually turn the power on and off. here is a “basic” temperature controller circuit.

                                                    #1014143
                                                    Mark Wilson
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                                                        temperature controller modules come in different sizes and shapes and have a variety of different control outputs including relay, ssr, scr or triac, 4-20 ma, or 0 to 5 volt. here is a picture of a few of these modules i purchased at a surplus store. the little one out front with the knob is an infinite controller which don’t control temperature but adjust it.

                                                        #1014144
                                                        Mark Wilson
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                                                            most of the power relays i use are either solid state relays (ssr) or standard electro-mechanical relays. solid state relays are made up of electronic components called triacs. they can be switched on and off real fast, but they also are very temperature sensitive. em relays cannot be switched very fast, but they fail safe unlike a ssr.

                                                            #1014145
                                                            Mark Wilson
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                                                                most em relays are essentially switches which get flipped when a actuation coil is energized. usually, em relays have 1, 2, or even 3 seperate contacts inside that get switched. i connect all 3 sets of contacts in parallel so that you can get more power control. if a single contact can handle 10 amps, 3 in parallel can control 30 amps. with no power applied to the actuation coil, the contacts are connected to the NC or normally closed contact. when actuated, the contacts are connected to the NO or normally open contacts.

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