adccommunitymod (AutomationDirect) asked a question.
Smoker/Grill Control
Created Date: May 01,2013
Created By: david222
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I am building a smoker grill. I am interested in controlling the temperature with a PLC. However my knowledge is limited. I have taken a couple semesters of PLC programming. What I was thinking about was a temperature sensor and a valve to control the combustion air which I guess would be tied to the temperature thru the PLC. Is there anyone who would be willing to help with the programming? Parts suggestions etc? I was looking at a Click model#C0-02DD1-D ?? Thanks David
Created Date: May 01,2013
Created by: Dean
Don't even need a PLC, a Solo temp controller would do the job. Not to say configuring a PLC and associated hardware wouldn't be a neat project. Question, how does your smoker work? Is it just a damper on the inlet air?
Created Date: May 01,2013
Created by: trimixdiver1
Boy did you ask the right question, I did mine with a DL06. Now this is on a Traeger wood pellet grill/ smoker.
http://pelletheads.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=aa4111d67352e37f6abaf3353109e727&topic=19787.0
Created Date: May 01,2013
Created by: Dean
Holy Smokes! (pardon the pun)
Created Date: May 01,2013
Created by: BobO
That's awesome 'diver!
Although seriously, one look at that and it becomes abundantly clear why there are certain pervasive stereotypes related to those of us in technical jobs...and why shows like Big Bang Theory are so popular!
Created Date: May 01,2013
Created by: trimixdiver1
Yea, Im going to make the wiring look better after Im done troubleshooting the bugs.
Im a home brewer.....cant wait to automate the brewery.
Im still trying to get the PID tuned.... I tried the autotune and wasnt happy, too slow.
Created Date: May 01,2013
Created by: trimixdiver1
That's awesome 'diver!
Although seriously, one look at that and it becomes abundantly clear why there are certain pervasive stereotypes related to those of us in technical jobs...and why shows like Big Bang Theory are so popular!
Yea, its pretty bad when you wonder "How can I slap a PLC on that? " with every purchace. I also have plans on putting a 12vdc 205 rack in my John Deere 318 and using a wireless adapter to keep track of run time, oil temp and pressure and other things.....still to be thought of.....
Created Date: May 01,2013
Created by: david222
Don't even need a PLC, a Solo temp controller would do the job. Not to say configuring a PLC and associated hardware wouldn't be a neat project. Question, how does your smoker work? Is it just a damper on the inlet air?
Right now I am using i have ball valves on the inlet air.
Created Date: May 02,2013
Created by: Dean
A proportional valve on the inlet air would control the air flow I suppose. I don't know much about smokers, but thinking about a wood stove, maybe a flapper style damper that is either open or closed depending on temp? Otherwise you are talking some fancy position control I think. Maybe switch to a fan with variable speed? Or just fan on/off depending on temp?
Created Date: May 02,2013
Created by: trimixdiver1
Im assuming we are talking about a propane fired smoker that has a wood box and water bowl above the burner. I wouldnt fool with the dampers too much because you might starve the flame. I would throttle the gas supply with a prop valve on a PID loop. Your going to need to throttle the gas, one reason is because if you do an on/off approach your going to need a pilot to relight. I did that for my Hot liquor tank for brewing and it works ok because of the mass of water steadys the swing. Now with a PID loop, outside effects (wind, sun hitting the smoker, opening the smoker) would be less of an issue with holding your temp. Now you could get fancy and put some prop dampers on the draft dampers, but thats alot of tuning.
I know I had one of these smokers before and it had dampers on every opening, the newer ones only had a damper on the top opening.
Created Date: May 02,2013
Created by: Do-more PE
If the smoker is gas fired, I would highly discourage putting a PLC on it to control the flame.
With no means to monitor flame safety you are creating a potential bomb.
With that being said, if this topic starts drifting into controlling gas flame I will have to lock the thread.