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Minore II with PID = Minore III

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  • #76
    Re: Minore II with PID = Minore III

    Enough of my whinging.

    A week ago I put  a PID on my B2! I got around the  length problem by making a 15mm spacer which makes the controller sit out a little bit . It  all fits in the box,  no body changes and  I still have my water tank.

    My machine now  idles within 0.1c of the setpoint. My 9 minute brew boiler cycle is now 2 seconds! I used  the same components as CSer Mark, PID,SSR and  RTD temp sensor,  all up about $75US.

    Here are  some  BAD photos. Looks much better in real life but you get the  idea:
    (dont look renzo : ) )





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    • #77
      Re: Minore II with PID = Minore III

      So, what is the possiblility of do this mod to a minore I???
      i think i would like more control, but my ability to do this would be close to zero!

      any noticable difference in the cup?

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      • #78
        Re: Minore II with PID = Minore III

        Originally posted by 41585F595E532A0 link=1227835388/76#76 date=1235439429
        any noticable difference in the cup?  

        The  noticable difference is consistency from  cup to cup which allows me to  more effectivley  dial in  the best  temp for that  particular bean/batch.

        Two weeks before doing  this  mod I learnt to "Surf" the stock setup. I  would wait  for  the brew element  to  come on and then switch the  machine off  4  seconds later . After 30 sec I would  turn the machine  back on and  it would  be up to temp.  With this method  the  brew element cycle came down to about 1.5mins and  I  instantly noticed the  differnce in  shot  consistency. Surfing the  machine like this is an absolute  pain in the A$$ but the difference  was  so  obvious  to me that  I  kept doing it.  With a PID  this is no  longer necessary

        With my PID  set up you still need  to  give the  machine 5  minutes to adjust  to changes in the  set point as it  takes a while for it to work out how  to hold the new target. Having  0.1 degree resolution is probably too much information but  it  gives good  insight  to what  is  going on.

        Also, PID or not, I think flushing  routiene is extremely important for  consistency from shot to shot.  I have  been taking  lots of readings at  the PF  with my home made pressurised  baskent  thermocouple and I  have found the best method is  to:
          -run pump for 4 seconds
          -measure and  grind beans (takes me 25 secods)
          -rinse the basket with aother 4 second flush
          -dose and tamp (takes me about  50 sec)
          -and  then another 4 second  flush immediatly before locking PF  and pulling  shot.

        If  you dont flush enough your  shot will be too  cool. If you flush too much  you start effecting  the boiler temp  and the results become inconsistent (hotter or colder).  The three short flushes with a break in between them means  the boiler  temp will not drop  but your group head will still warm up nicely.

        I am  not sure if Minore  1 had  the  same amount of overshoot as I was experiencing with the minore 2 ao I dont know if the mod is  worth doing  or not. I  would suggest trying  the "surfing" method I mentioned above. If it makes an  obvious difference for you then I reckon a PID Mod  is  the way to go.

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        • #79
          Re: Minore II with PID = Minore III

          A  bit  off topic but, the other advantage of doing this  mod is that it left me  with the old controller,  sensor and trnasformer spare.   I  put the unused transformer and  controller into a jiffy  box  with a 240v  extension cord in  and  out.

          This makes a thermostat switch which will  work with  any 240v  appliance for heating or cooling.  This  is now one of  the most handy pieces of equipment I have. It  can control  a frige, freezer (in cooling mode) or heating device in  heating mode. Any home brewers, yogurt makers or cheese makers will appreciate this. The contoller has  many  features  which make it great for these things , offset ,deadband, compressor protection etc.. Its just no good in an espresso machine

          here it is controlling a proof box light bulb for sourdough:



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          • #80
            Re: Minore II with PID = Minore III

            Ingenious "SC"..... ;D 8-)

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