Controller Help

[Mossy]

Hey, I have a what I think are all the parts I need to put together a small/basic electric controller. I'm totally out of my depth putting it together though. I'm hoping someone on here would be able to give me a dig out.
I have a 5500w camco element, plug (male&female) for element, two ssr's, a PID, temp probe, various switches, mount for element and I've also had 32 amp plug installed in the house.
I have zero experience with any of this and I really don't want to burn down the house.
At the moment I'm not really interested in anything fancy, I just want a way to control the power going to the element.
Can anyone talk me through this or is anyone interested in a wee nixer?
Cheers

[molc]

You need to figure out what sort of control you need. Since that element is pretty beefy, you're looking at a PID or PWM controller of some sort, to control the duty cycle on the element, otherwise you'll just boil off everything in an hour.

http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/ gives a really good walkthrough of everything that's involved, from creating your kettle right through to wiring. You don't need to make it that complicated, but at the least you'll need the PID, wired to a SSR/ relay capable of handling 32A, which in turn is connected to your wall socket.

[nigel_c]

I cant recommend the electric brewery enough. step by step guides and a forum to ask any questions you can come up with.
Are you planning to have a HERMS or RIMS system?

[Mossy]

Thanks @molc and @nigel_c, I'll have a look at that site.
I'm planning on doing a RIMS setup eventually.

[nigel_c]

One thing I'd recommend is know exactly what you want before starting. Do as much research and know what you want it to do before you start.

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

I can talk you through it if that's any good for you, planning on attending the next liffey meet up if that suits?

[Mossy]

I can talk you through it if that's any good for you, planning on attending the next liffey meet up if that suits?

Thanks Sorcerers Apprentice, I'll do my best to make the meeting, have the set a date?
I found this diagram online, do you reckon it's a good place to start?

http://www.pjmuth.org/beerstuff/images/Auberin-wiring1-a4-5500w-30c1-e-stop.jpg

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

That's an American circuit, which will be different to our system. I will stick a circuit diagram together later and post it

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[Mossy]

That's an American circuit, which will be different to our system. I will stick a circuit diagram together later and post it

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That would be great!!

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

What brand of pid are you using so that I get the pin numbers correct? 

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[Mossy]

Sestos D1S

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

Best to use this type of switched 32 amp socket as you can isolate the supply remotely in the event of a boil over

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[Sorcerers Apprentice]

Check that your switches are adequately rated to isolate the 5.5kw element I would recommend a 32 amp Di pole switch eg a cooker switch. The cable needs to be at least 4 square for the supply and lead to the heater. I have shown a 2 amp fuse to protect the PID controller.


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[Mossy]

That's brilliant Sorcerers Apprentice, thank you very much for that. That'll give me a good basis for putting this together. I'll keep you updated!