This is my new box



I changed the box to include a second PID (old box too small). The big PID controls the MET. The small PID reads the BT. In can work full manual too. The new box has lots of room similar to the engine compartment of an American pick up truck. I also included a power filter and a wire terminal block just in case I ever have to transport the roaster (the box and the roaster separate). Other than that, some time in the future, I am planning to install a full time computer with touch screen.

Cheers

Woah! I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy!

PS, what do you have growing there?

John

The little one is an arabica coffee tree. The big one is some kind of clementine tree, which is blooming right now. Then behind the roaster, you can see two twigs, there is a fig tree. They all are doing excellent.

Cheers

Very nice!!!

Excellent. Always glad to see some citrus. Here's my meyer lemon in the foreground and my key lime behind.

Thanks all for the good words.

That lemon tree looks nice. I saw them once at HomeDepot but they never came back. Maybe next time if I see them I'll get one.

Cheers

Looks good. I've been meaning to do some investigation as to if there is a better location for MET than where mine is currently located. I think I'm getting 1/2 MET, 1/2 exhaust temp... I assume you are using Jims location for MET?

The location I am using for MET probe is 3/4 deep from the hole, slant to the right so that there is an equal distance from tip of probe to right heater than from right heater to drum. I got that location because my probe wire was shortened and it cannot go deeper (or higher). Probably Jim's location is much better. My results are good. It cools fast and it gets hot fast. Very good control with fast feedback. But I am using a PID which makes it simpler.

Cheers

I had a d'oh moment when I saw an email Molly sent Luca Costanzo. She suggests removing the top right screw from the air tube and inserting a probe through the hole (you can even thread it for the no 4(?) screw size). This puts the probe just outside the drum -- go in two inches and you are at the exact spot I use.

I have a picture, but no permission to use it yet. It should be posted in a few days.

Hi Guys,

I'm ordering an M3 and contacted the manufacturer to see how I could go about getting a max environment temp probe fitted. As Jim mentioned, Molly sent me this photo, which we are okayed to post here:



Cheers,
Luca

FYI, The current price as of today is US$880 plus $120 shipping to USA. I checked with Molly yesterday. I'm still debating about dropping a grand right now. I can buy a lot of green beans for what it would cost me to upgrade from my FR Plus 8. But they sure are nice looking roasters and they are a good value for all that stainless.

OK. I think this is how the roaster will look



I got the pieces at tigerdirect (touch monitor, arm, P4 computer) for a good price.

The software is very green but I can plot in real time and save the plot files in image or data.



Hopefully I'll be able to use it for the roasting competition

Cheers

PS: For the curious, these are the links to the new parts:

PID enclosure

http://www.alliedelec.com/search/produc...KU=7361865

Monitor
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...CatId=1449

Computer
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...CatId=5139


Monitor Arm
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...CatId=2464

nice! Is that a variac? I had no idea they were that big...

Hi Arpi,
Cool hi tech roaster set up! My fig tree lives in the greenhouse out back. I hope it survived our two weeks of real cold weather and finally makes some fruit this summer (it's third in the ground).

Hi rama. That is indeed a variac. It controls the voltage power to the roaster. I don't really needed but it is there. I set it up so that I have 120V at 10A draw (max).

Chert. My fig tree had little figs the year before but not this year. I used to keep it out in the summer but the squirrels discovered it

Cheers

Small update. I just got the two PIDs together in the same RS485 network. Now I can plot both in real time or do more fancy stuff later (maybe find out what the fan does to the temperatures, loads, optimum heat transfer, etc).



Cheers

PS: small tips for RS485 hook up. Don't use termination resistors. Use parity Odd in serial comm settings with FujiPIDs in RS485 mode. But for Rs232 (only the PXG4 can do that but only for one single PID), set the serial comm settings for parity None. This setting is done in the computer software only. For the PID settings, the only change needed is the unit ID number. I have set it up to #1 for MET (PXG4) and #2 for BT (PXR3).