|
Q-talk *ON TOPIC ONLY* QUALITY ON TOPIC discussion of Backyard BBQ, grilling, equipment and outdoor cookin' . ** Other cooking techniques are welcomed for when your cookin' in the kitchen. Post your hints, tips, tricks & techniques, success, failures, but stay on topic and watch for that hijacking. |
|
Thread Tools |
03-12-2013, 11:46 PM | #46 |
Knows what a fatty is.
Join Date: 08-24-12
Location: Boston, MA
|
Update: I got stuck for a long time on figuring out a way to attach the blower to the smoker. I started out with an overly complicated design that failed. I've now housed the blower in a plastic box and it works great. Here's the blower and controller assembly (minus the phone): http://www.instructables.com/files/d...9GM8.LARGE.jpg
At this point all the electronic hardware should be finished. My next step is to put a ball valve on a drum and test the controller without any food. I hope to have my first test done by the end of the month. |
|
03-13-2013, 11:21 AM | #47 |
Knows what a fatty is.
Join Date: 03-06-12
Location: Shawnee, KS
|
I am definitely going to look at building this.
Does the coding support 6 temp probes and 2 fans? |
|
03-13-2013, 11:34 AM | #48 |
Knows what a fatty is.
Join Date: 08-24-12
Location: Boston, MA
|
The current iteration supports 6 probes but only one fan. There's no technical reason the controller can't operate more than one fan (and more probes). I'd probably be able to help you update the software once I get it all working with one fan.
I plan on writing up step-by-step instructions on Instructables.com and it'd be great to have a guinea pig to help me iron them out. :D |
|
03-13-2013, 11:44 AM | #49 |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 06-07-12
Location: kansas
|
Deeg, I will help you iron the instructions out. Happen to have any extra parts laying around? hehe :)
|
|
03-13-2013, 11:45 AM | #50 |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 06-07-12
Location: kansas
|
Does anyone have an extra heatmeter or know where to order just one?
|
|
03-13-2013, 11:47 AM | #51 | |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 06-07-12
Location: kansas
|
Quote:
|
|
|
03-13-2013, 11:49 AM | #52 |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 06-07-12
Location: kansas
|
Do you still have the wrt54g mod one that you wanted to give away?
|
|
03-13-2013, 11:51 AM | #53 | |
Knows what a fatty is.
Join Date: 03-06-12
Location: Shawnee, KS
|
Quote:
|
|
|
03-13-2013, 12:10 PM | #54 |
Knows what a fatty is.
Join Date: 08-24-12
Location: Boston, MA
|
Thanks for the offers, all. I will definitely take you up on it once I verify that this contraption actually works. :)
|
|
03-13-2013, 12:46 PM | #55 |
Knows what a fatty is.
Join Date: 08-24-12
Location: Boston, MA
|
Here's what works so far (confirmed with testing):
Not tested (yet):
I'll post some screen shots of the phone software when I can. Just a warning: my UI skills are nowhere near those of Moontz and they will look ugly in comparison. They work great, though! I have no plans on ever supporting the iPhone. My suggestion would be to buy a used Android phone on CL. A data plan isn't required, just a bluetooth connection. How much will this cost? My best guess is that the cheapest would be ~ $60 + $10 per probe (not including the phone of course). This assumes you don't screw up and have to buy multiple parts (ahem) and don't spend a lot on shipping. Most people will spend more especially if one needs to buy tools. I've been trying to keep a close watch on my costs so I can give a firm estimate when I'm done. |
|
03-13-2013, 01:01 PM | #56 |
Knows what a fatty is.
Join Date: 03-06-12
Location: Shawnee, KS
|
Do you know if the PID library you are using has an "autolearn" function that will set the P, I and D parameters for you.
I have a standalone PID controller that will do this. It will overshoot the temp the first 2 or 3 cycles and then will be dead on from there on out. You might see if someone has already written this coding. |
|
03-13-2013, 01:20 PM | #57 |
Knows what a fatty is.
Join Date: 08-24-12
Location: Boston, MA
|
Thanks for the suggestion jcm2m9. I did look into auto tune but there doesn't appear to be one written in Java. The PID algorithm I'm using is one that I converted from the Arduino library to Java (with the help of the author of the Arduino version). It is well beyond my means to add autotuning. However, I've set up my controller to easily use another PID algorithm if one becomes available.
|
|
03-13-2013, 03:11 PM | #58 |
is one Smokin' Farker
Join Date: 03-21-12
Location: Arkansas
|
Perhaps this info will help you program the PID portion of the controller. First the Proportion calc, then the Integral calc, then the Derivative Calc, then how they are summed, and finally, an explanation of the variables involved. Gain, TI, and TD are the parameter adjusted to tune the PID loop. Take out the TD_LAG if you don't want to include lag. SP is the Setpoint (target temperature in this case) and PV is the Process Variable (the measured temperature in this case).
__________________
OK Joe Vertical Smoker, UDS, Komado Acorn, Weber Kettle Ranch, Weber Kettle, Stok Kettle |
|
03-13-2013, 03:29 PM | #59 | |
Knows what a fatty is.
Join Date: 03-06-12
Location: Shawnee, KS
|
Quote:
|
|
|
03-13-2013, 10:11 PM | #60 |
Knows what a fatty is.
Join Date: 08-24-12
Location: Boston, MA
|
I set up the software to make the PID settings configurable. That way I (and others) can try different values. I'm guessing different builds will require slightly different values.
|
|
Thread Tools | |
|
|