Who has used a PID controller for their Lee melting pot?

[Rick300]

My temp controller for my Lee melting pot went whacky on me so I ordered a Inkbird PID controller like has been discussed on here in the past. Just got it today and I'm not sure about the wiring. Can anyone 'splain exactly how the terminal get wired up? I'm an electrical dufus and am trying real hard not to let the smoke out. This is for salt bath annealing.
This one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RMDZVNO/?tag=accuratescom-20

 

[NV_Dmax]

This is what I used to wire up my Cerakote oven when I built it.

 

[Rick300]

Thanks! Even I should be able to do it now.

 

[oley55]

chances are most definitely 50/50 on the thermocouple wiring. I and a good number of other folks have followed the wire diagrams to the letter, or so we thought, only to find the wires are reversed.

Also, my pid does not show whether it is operating in C or F mode. So you may have to validate which one it is. Ice cold water is a good idiots way to test. Close to zero being C and of course close to 32 being F. Just a heads up.

 

[Texas10]

Just a reminder, you can get a new temp controller from Lee on their website. It even may be covered under warranty, just in case your plans go sideways on the PID controller and you need to get some annealing done. Lee customer service is tops!

 

[Rockchuck]

I use a rex c100 pid controller on my lee melting pot. Super easy to use found on amazon cheap. There's a video on YouTube on how to wire it. Works great for salt bath. Holds temp very good. Comes with soild state relay. I think it cost around 25 to 30 dollars

 

[DNotti]

Do you have a url for that video? I am seriously electrically challenged and need all the help I can get.

 

[Geocodyrgia]

I have a PID from Hatch over on CastBoolits that I use for controlling the small Lee pot I use for salt bath annealing. Works like a champ but is more $ than a DIY solution. Worth checking out though. His PID unit is a solid product with good planning and workmanship from what I can tell.

 

[Rick300]

So I finally got around to wiring up the PID controller and........it just reads 0 degrees on the temperature from the thermocouple. I have tried 3 different thermocouple, every input setting there was and can't figure out what is wrong. It will heat the pot but I don't think there is any control going on. Would appreciate any help.

 

[Dud]

View attachment 1126964 This is what I used to wire up my Cerakote oven when I built it.

Where are you guys buying this stuff (direct links appreciated). I'm worried about counterfeits/fakes, especially with the solid state relay. I know I could get good stuff from Omega but I don't like Omega prices.

As for the thermocouple reading wrong, if you extended the wire at all, you can mess up the signal. If the PID manufacturer used the wrong screws in the terminal, same thing. I think they work with a P-N junction, one side has to be all P material and the other side has to be all N material. I had a big problem with a bulkhead feed through connector that had the wrong pins once...

 

[Rick300]

Well, I'm not sure what all that means, but I didn't extend any wires. I just can't figure out why it reads 0 or goes back and forth from 0 to 1.
This is the one I bought:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RMDZVNO/?tag=accuratescom-20

 

[Rick300]

Figured it out - stupid newbie mistake. Works pretty good when you put those wires where they are supposed to go.

 

[NV_Dmax]

Where are you guys buying this stuff (direct links appreciated). I'm worried about counterfeits/fakes, especially with the solid state relay. I know I could get good stuff from Omega but I don't like Omega prices.

As for the thermocouple reading wrong, if you extended the wire at all, you can mess up the signal. If the PID manufacturer used the wrong screws in the terminal, same thing. I think they work with a P-N junction, one side has to be all P material and the other side has to be all N material. I had a big problem with a bulkhead feed through connector that had the wrong pins once...

dud, the controller is called a PID controller. I bought mine locally through a parts house. Amazon sells inexpensive ones, Grainger sells expensive ones. Mine are made by Auber Instruments. They are pretty much all the same.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=pid+cont...349&hydadcr=24660_9648999&tag=accuratescom-20

 

[Texas10]

Figured it out - stupid newbie mistake. Works pretty good when you put those wires where they are supposed to go.

Couple of questions for you, Rick300.

Can this controller be set to 1000 F ?

Did you use the included thermocouple or one from another source? I have the one from Ballistic Recreations, the salt bath kit maker, and would like to plug in the thermocouple instead of hard wiring.

Where you able to find a K-type receptacle to fit a standard plug in thermocouple?

Thinking I need to upgrade my Lee Melter Pot temp controller.

 

[Rick300]

This controller reads in C only. I'm going to set mine to 500-520 and see how that works.
This is the connector: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BRKLLLZ/?tag=accuratescom-20 It takes a while to get so if you're in a hurry look elsewhere.
I also bought these terminal strips: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008DS266M/?tag=accuratescom-20
After running auto tune it was holding water to +/- 2 degrees.
My dial on the pot wasn't working anymore so I took the cover off and bypassed it. You should look at doing that as I don't think they are very reliable.

 

[Rick300]

Oh, I forgot, I am using the thermocouple from Ballistic Recreations

 

[mktacop]

Couple of questions for you, Rick300.

Can this controller be set to 1000 F ?

Did you use the included thermocouple or one from another source? I have the one from Ballistic Recreations, the salt bath kit maker, and would like to plug in the thermocouple instead of hard wiring.

Where you able to find a K-type receptacle to fit a standard plug in thermocouple?

Thinking I need to upgrade my Lee Melter Pot temp controller.

Are you looking for a plug like this?
https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20_3&products_id=326