Kiln PID Controller retrofit?

I'm thinking about getting a PID controller for my 25 amp kiln. I'd like to use it to bake large ceramic shells.

How involved/complicated is it to fit one of these controllers onto an older kiln?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/profession...ller-SSR-Kiln-Oven-kit-Universal/121092751238

 

This is the kiln I have:

 

Not very hard at all. It will be all on the net but I will be happy to help.
You can save around $120 of that $150 price tag if you buy from AliExpres although it might take a month or more to arrive.
Joe

 

I've upgraded four using the fake REX P100 model controllers ($15). The thermocouple with the fat leads pictured in your ad is a lot more rugged than the ones with the braided stainless covering over the wire and the threaded stainless sheath: the wire in those is hair fine and fatigues/breaks readily. Youtuber Bigclive has a tear down and analysis of those cheap solid state relays, I haven't used them so I can't comment on them. All in all you end up with upgraded performance over the older controllers.

 

Fake 15buck controller??? That's got my name all over it. Point the way brother!

 

that's ANOTHER good idea.. You are on a roll! Must be those wheaties.

I've got the cat piss kiln also and it would be nice to regulate my 1700 for shells.

 

Well these are shit. Would a mechanical relay be a safer way to roll? We are talking about switching a true 25amps after all?

 

Here's a 40amp. https://www.ebay.com/itm/SSR-40DA-4...436373?hash=item25daf76555:g:dooAAOSw~jNZZPzp

 

I switch 40 amps with my SSR home made kiln controller. My big kiln draws 30 amps and I popped one SSR trying to start it cold. Inrush is high. After learning that I've done several bakeouts with it although I bought spares. When the SSR fails it may fail closed so you need to make sure you've got over temperature protection in the event it locks down in the on position.

 

I have a bag full of AC contractors and a few timers.. Dave, what do you use for a delay?? 5seconds?

Andy confirms my fears... or is it tears?

 

I don't know if you need a time delay. The little cheap PID's are pretty sophisticated and have built in fuzzy logic. They will learn the response time of your system and will adapt accordingly. It is fun to watch them learn, actually. When I was setting mine up I was using my fingers to heat the thermocouple and had it set to 75F. It soon learned when to tell me to let go so it wouldn't overshoot.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/PID-Temper...389747?hash=item3d827f5bf3:g:5BUAAOSwRLBcWjAS

They're branded REX or Berme model C100, they have to have a couple of configuration settings changed to unlock the 400 deg C limit up to 1500 degC.

 

Mark, will that one do ramp and soak stuff?
I need those to be able to effectively anneal glass.

thanks

 

No, it's just a basic temp controller that will hold a set temp, I'd love to get some cheap ramp-soak controllers. You may be able to run a couple of them to get something closer to a ramp-soak controller.

 

Something like this.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Programmab...813482&hash=item19e1b123ab:g:LBcAAOxypNtSjO8A

I think I paid $65 a few years ago, 30 step. From what I see the 50 step are as cheap as the 30 step.