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General Information => General => Topic started by: hamradio on December 16, 2007, 08:35:36 am

Title: Would a pid temp controller work as an egt?
Post by: hamradio on December 16, 2007, 08:35:36 am

I've been looking at one of these-
http://cgi.ebay.com/PID-TEMPERATURE-CONTROLLER-FURNACE-KILN-OVEN_W0QQitemZ330196756034QQihZ014QQcategoryZ50926QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
as an egt gauge.  The only thing that sucks is that it won't run on 12vdc.  But, besides that, would one work?  Or would the temps be too high for it?

How's something like this?- (not a temp controller, but a cheap egt gauge, that might not look as ricey as other cheap gauges)
http://cgi.ebay.com/DIGITAL-EGT-THERMOMETER-PYROMETER-W-Probe_W0QQitemZ190178902228QQihZ009QQcategoryZ50974QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Another question, will any k type thermocouple work on something like this, for egt?

Title: Would a pid temp controller work as an egt?
Post by: Vincent Waldon on December 16, 2007, 10:01:21 am

Both of those would work.. they have the right range and a thermocouple that could be tapped into the exhaust manifold.

I've pulled something like the first one apart and converted it to run on 12V (for a very different application.. a neonatal transport incubator) but probably the biggest issue with both of them iwould be the form-factor... they are sized to fit an industrial control panel and are quite deep... finding a spot on the dash that is also deep enough will be bit of a challenge.

They are also not designed for vibration or temperature extremes, as my experience with a PID like #1  in a mobile transport incubator taught me... factories don't vibrate like vehicles do nor does it get to be -20 on most factory floors.  I had issues with condensation, inaccuracy, and the internal circuit boards (there's typically several of them sandwiched together) vibrating loose.

I like the idea of an alarm light though !!

Title: Would a pid temp controller work as an egt?
Post by: Slave2School on December 16, 2007, 10:43:10 am

Wow that second one could also be used for a water injection trigger: very cool.

http://www.auberins.com/AUBER1812-instruction.pdf

Also looks like you can set it up with a MAP sensor!

Title: Would a pid temp controller work as an egt?
Post by: jtanguay on December 16, 2007, 12:46:31 pm

that looks cool.  cheap too... hopefully its fast and accurate :)

would be nice to have an audible alarm.  if someone was good with electronics they could tap into the max (peak temp) light and use that to switch on the water spray (if you can set your own max temp).  and with a dynamic circuit board one could also increase the water injection as the egt's rise.

this makes me want to take the electrical engineering course!  8)

Title: Would a pid temp controller work as an egt?
Post by: hamradio on December 17, 2007, 03:44:06 pm

How much work did it take to convert it from ~85vdc to 12vdc?

Title: Would a pid temp controller work as an egt?
Post by: Vincent Waldon on December 17, 2007, 04:12:05 pm

I was working with an Omega industrial controller (probably OEMed by the one you show, for all I know !!) and it had an integrated 12V step-down inverter, so I just deleted the inverter stage and powered it directly.  Added a high-efficiency regulator stage just to be sure... but it was probably overkill.

If I had dug deeper I probably would have discovered the system was 5V eventually... but I never spent the time because power consumption wasn't a concern.

We had a terrible time with vibration:  a transport incubator is hoisted in and out of helicopters and across bumpy tarmacs and helipads... but I'm not sure the average car fairs much better.  I ended up soldering all the internal circuit board connector plugs permanently to cure it.... I already knew how to pull it apart from deleting the transformer !!

Title: Would a pid temp controller work as an egt?
Post by: AudiVWguy on December 19, 2007, 05:10:50 pm

I emailed them and they said they've sold about 500 of these for automotive use. The only one they had vibration issues with was mounted on a motorcycle. Sounds like a great solution, I plan to get one for the Audi  :twisted:

Title: Would a pid temp controller work as an egt?
Post by: hamradio on December 19, 2007, 07:24:54 pm

I think I'm going to buy one.

Title: Would a pid temp controller work as an egt?
Post by: hamradio on December 21, 2007, 02:29:09 pm

I'm torn if I should buy one that says 85v for 46, or if I should the egt one for 70.  They are the same controllers.

Title: Would a pid temp controller work as an egt?
Post by: Slave2School on February 24, 2008, 02:45:52 am

Anyone given these a shot or converted one over (voltage wise) with a how to for dummies?

Title: Would a pid temp controller work as an egt?
Post by: blkboostedtruck on February 24, 2008, 06:41:37 pm

I bought the auburn 1812 and it seems very fast at sencing temp! i have not instaled it yet? but i have been monkeying around with it next to my fireplace! so thats all i can say till it gets warmer out side and i can do somework to my caddy! but i like it!
thanks Duane

Title: Would a pid temp controller work as an egt?
Post by: Slave2School on February 25, 2008, 12:57:19 pm

Thanks I think I'll snag one then :)