How my PWM is wired

[@deborahstclair4126]

You give me good ideas. I built a PID controller and used it in a single heater 3 gallon boiler and it improved temperature control greatly but lead to an oscillation when it was the only heat source. So I used the stovetop electric element to provide some controlled heat and the still was more stable. Now I want to be able to retrofit the PID with a PWD channel for 2 element heat control and this may be ideal at a reasonable cost and remove dependency on the stovetop. Thanks for taking this hobby to a higher level.

[@anthonybarra2391]

Can’t help but watch a good tutor, you come across great and with a nice plain way of making us understand every time George, great stuff. And although I am an electrician in the uk England I still pick up some real good tips and find your stuff so interesting, I’m applying my knowledge along side yours, and it’s making my distilling at home a proper geek hobby! Love it mate keep em coming 🍺

[@dalansingson]

I've been watching your videos and planning my home distilling. Thank you for your videos.

[@philiptruitt]

Thank you, George!

[@LP23D6]

I've got my PWM, the box and the V/A meter. Time to make a trip to Menards for the extras. I presently have a HF router controller that is hard to control. It just keeps heating up my boiler. Thanks George.

[@jeffqueen6128]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Keep them coming.

[@adamwanderscheid8559]

Thank you!

[@jimferguson9528]

Pulse WIDTH Modulation. Pulse WIDTH Modulation. My system was constructed using standard laboratory glassware. It has a low volume output but it is highly regulated and produces a very high quality end product. I also use a controller to regulate the temperature. I have a temperature probe that extends into a 1000 mL boiling flask that boils my wash. I found the sweet spot to be 90 C. The temp at the top of the reflux column goes to 78 C and sticks there until the ethanol is exhausted from the wash. The chemistry of the entire process is obvious to me as I can see everything that happens - I have the temperatures monitored at critical points in my system. The most critical temperature is that of the wash. If I let that exceed 90 C, the proof goes down and the tails are passed to the collection flask, and the flavor goes to hell in a handbasket. I am an electrical engineer with a strong chemistry background. I have been designing products using pulse width modulation for over 25 years. Pulse width modulation is used for many, many applications these days for everything from temperature control to audio amplification to RF modulation. Tell you what - Google PWM and see what it says. You won't find the term "wave" in any of the descriptions. Pulse WIDTH Modulation.

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

Thanks Jim. George

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

Jim, You are absolutely right. I got stuck on pulse wave when clearly it is pulse width. I plan to fess up to this mistake and correct it in the next video. Thanks again for pointing this out. It is important to be precise. George

[@jimferguson9528]

George - The important part of your video is you understand the theory and you know how to implement the concept. That is astute. Your videos did good service to our community. I took a lot of data on my runs and noticed the reflux column regulated the temperature at the top of the column without much regard to the temperature of the boiling flask. That means the process regulates itself to some degree, which is exactly what the chemistry and physics of the system dictates. When I bring the temperature of my system up slowly, the temperature at the input of the condenser ( the top of the Vigreux column) rises in steps. How do I send you photos of my equipment? I have many questions and observations that I need to convey and you have no idea of where I'm coming from.

[@jimferguson9528]

You have a lot to share and you are building a KZbin channel. You show good video skills. I encourage you to continue. I have benefitted from your videos. Thanks.

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

Jim Please feel free to email anything you want to share to [e-mail] I would really like to see more of what you are describing. George

[@williamlipsit6371]

George how would you wire the 240v PWM you showed? I have your 120v one built works great.

[@derrickrice2010]

great video.....keep them coming!!

[@SyBernot]

You could add couple DPDT two position switches to that set up and be able to switch between measuring input and output values (you'd need another current tap too)

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

Good idea.

[@trebor66n2]

Great info, as usual

[@jamesmediallc8933]

I assembled one of these a couple of months ago. Works lights years better than the pid box i made. When the pod would get close to temp and cycle on and off. The dripping on the off cycle would completely stop. And wouldn't resume until the pod cycled back on. Then stop again on the next cycle. A bit of a headache. The PWM gives constant power. However reduced when turned down. Much easier to control. However when i purchased it, it wasn't called a PWM. It was called a SCR. Now im not a electronics expert. Is there a difference?

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

They are in the same family. Good work. George

[@dannephew7915]

Nice video, could I use that to control the speed of a chugged pump when running wort through a chiller plate?

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

absolutely.

[@jimferguson9528]

What do you use to dechlorinate your water? Is sodium bisulfate acceptable?

[@kirtlin123]

Hello George. I have been watching all of your videos and when I got to building heat controllers it looked like something I could do and save some money. If I could get a parts list for both PID and PWM it would help a lot. I want to control a 220v 5500w heating element and on the videos some of your info is for 110v and I don't want to fuzz up

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

I have a video or two on 240V as well. Same wiring, same principal. George

[@cecilmanning769]

George I have been trying to locate the 120 v AC / 12v DC transformer to run the 12v DC fan in my PID Box. If you have a part number and make of the transformer so I can order one to complete the assy of my box it would be a lot of help. thanks..

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

Here is a link to amazon for a small transformer you are looking for. I use these because they are dependable, small and easy to wire (solder wires to it for best results) www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CQN7Y2C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@endysdoodoo]

George I have a pwm with a voltage in voltage out and common. I'm running this at 240 volts and have 12-3 wire. One leg of the hot obviously would go to the input and then back to the out put. I'm wondering what the common would be. Would this be the ground wire?

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

In 240 both legs are hot. 240 creates its own neutral through the sine wave so there is no neutral wire. On you PWM you would have 2 hot wires for voltage in and then 2 hot wires for voltage out. The ground wire would go to the receptacle. If you are using an amperage meter to track current with, the round sensor goes around only one hot leg. George

[@BulletBarDave]

@@BarleyandHopsBrewing So would you then separate the two hot wires going from the "OUT" terminal to the outlet?

[@Texasbluecollarsolutions]

Ok I like this set up and want to build one. But what are you going to use to monitor temp? I’m not finding a digital temp that has a k type probe. I would like to use some of the parts I already have.

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

This controller has no feedback mechanism so there is no K type coupler. The requires one to track temperature the original way by placing a thermometer (any type) in the head of the column. George

[@Texasbluecollarsolutions]

Yes I understand that but I have been looking for a digital thermometer that I could put in my control box to monitor. I have found a few. Most are 12v but can’t seem to find one the displays in Fahrenheit.

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

Jayson, in the past I've used a thermometer that I got at Wal-Mart for around $12. It is a kitchen thermometer with a K-type coupler that runs on batteries. It reads in C and F and even has a timer function. The cable in some models is very long and may do the trick. I also have one for grilling (cost me $30) and it is amazingly easy to use. You could add this to your controller and have that instant readout of temperature you are looking for. George

[@scapegoat9512]

So what's the advantage over the PID controller? My PID, I simply set my 'waypoints' and let it cruise. This seems to be a more rudimentary control.

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

This is more rudimentary and some people prefer the simple approach as well as a more inexpensive controller. This offers that. Precise control, reliability and lower cost. It's just another option for our community. George

[@jimspencer4387]

Is a PWM same as and SCR controller as sold on Amazon?

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

Yes. An SCR is a Silicon Controlled Rectifier. A PWM (pulse width modulation) is the result of the workings of an SCR. Hope this helps George

[@jimspencer4387]

So... whether I buy one called and SCR or PWM... One is as good as the other? Thank you!!!

[@thomasedwin1]

I asked this question many times before with no answer, what about using a silicone controlled rectifier in concert with a PID controller?

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

What would the rectifier's purpose be. George

[@johnfiretrain]

What is the model number of the meter? I can’t find a 0-240 volt meter. A lot of 80-200 but no 0-2??

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

This one is also 80-240. I was a little off in explaining it. Sorry, George

[@quarlow1215]

Anybody know the name of the "donut" thing.

[@oliversmith271]

Using this method, do you have to measure your temperature manually, rather than setting a temperature for it to stay at?

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

Yes, this is very much like your electric stove controls. You must manipulate the dial while tracking the temperature.