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Help with setting up heat blanket and controller
http://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=48402		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  mqbernardo [ Thu Oct 13, 2016 7:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Help with setting up heat blanket and controller
Hi all,

I had this thing lying aground hidden in the shop for a couple of years or so. I bought it 2nd hand. So far I only used my bending iron , mostly because that's how i've learnt to do this.
I have never touched electrical stuff beside changing the ocasional light bulbs and consider myself pretty illiterate.

I searched a bit and folks talk sbout relays and thermocouples, which I know nothing about and don't seem to have. :(
So, do you think this will work? Any tips? Or do you think I'll just get myself shocked and burnt?

Sorry if this is all to shaky and vague... Been a long day and I'm sleepy...

Thanks in advance,
Miguel.
Author:  Colin North [ Fri Oct 14, 2016 2:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Help with setting up heat blanket and controller
Hmmm. Looks familiar
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10117&t=47715
Should be a label on the side showing model.
Not got the 40A solid state relay and heat sink? - Ebay is your friend, search "40A SSR relay heat sink"
Inexpensive from far east, stuff from Hong Kong seem to arrive a bit quicker than from China IME.
I'm using a thermocouple similar to this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nylon-Braided-Thermocouple-Temperature-Sensor/dp/B00C97FIFE/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1476468740&sr=8-17&keywords=thermocouple K type is important.
(Modified as per post)
Author:  mqbernardo [ Fri Oct 14, 2016 6:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help with setting up heat blanket and controller
Thanks Colin! aparently I have the relay - even if I didn't knew it. So, I'm just missing the thermocouple. I'll look into it. Frankly, I don't even know what the thermocouple is for, I wonder if this will work without it.

Anyway thanks for the info !
Author:  Rod True [ Fri Oct 14, 2016 10:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help with setting up heat blanket and controller
You need the thermocouple. It's placed in the "sandwich" and tells the PID what temperature the heating blanket is at, that way the PID can do it's job, cycling the power on and off to hold the temperature and to start the count down timer.

Here's one I did last year. viewtopic.php?f=10117&t=45009
Author:  Colin North [ Sat Oct 15, 2016 5:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Help with setting up heat blanket and controller
What Rod said.
Except I use a kitchen timer, and DON'T LEAVE IT! No matter what.
Author:  Mike2E [ Sat Oct 15, 2016 7:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Help with setting up heat blanket and controller
I agree with Rod. If you search RKC REX C100 the manual is freely available. This unit can use a PRT ( a 100Ω ohm at 0°C ) or a thermocouple J or K, BUT you must configure it to work correctly. I use the output to drive a relay. I think the drive is limited to 1A?
It is critical to get the temperature sensor well connected to the heater. I had the physical connection loose about 30° so the blanket went to 180°C instead of 150°C and overheated the blanket. Luckily I saw it and killed the power. You should also fuse the power to the unit.
Author:  Colin North [ Sat Oct 15, 2016 12:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help with setting up heat blanket and controller
I use thin probe thermometers (2) as well as the thermocouple in case of some inaccuracy or failure in the PID system.
And the default setting is for a K type.
Author:  whiskywill [ Thu Oct 20, 2016 10:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Help with setting up heat blanket and controller
That's a very expensive bit of kit you have there. ;) https://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/818 ... 2623579336
Author:  Colin North [ Thu Oct 20, 2016 1:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help with setting up heat blanket and controller
I know, mine cost $20 with SSR, heat sink and thermocouple..........
Works fine so far.
Author:  mqbernardo [ Fri Oct 21, 2016 10:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Help with setting up heat blanket and controller
So, thanks for the help so far. One more :) :

Now I have the thermocouple but I've found my relay to be quite different from the one Colin mentioned. Any help on wiring this?

Thanks again.
Author:  Colin North [ Fri Oct 21, 2016 4:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help with setting up heat blanket and controller
Can't really help except I found this link from make and model number
http://www.tme.eu/en/details/rm84-p-24v/miniature-electromagnetic-relays/relpol/rm84-2012-35-1024/
It appears the relay you have is for mounting in a printed circuit board, and may have been just what he had access to at the time.
It's rated at 8 amps, 240 volts so should be good for up to 1,920 watts maximum - normal blanket maximum is under that, but check.
As to wiring, dont have a clue.
Author:  SteveSmith [ Fri Oct 21, 2016 5:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help with setting up heat blanket and controller
For most electronic parts you can simply type the part number into Google (RM84-2012-35-5230 in this case) and look for a data sheet. I look for the big distributors first: Digikey, Mouser, Newark, and Allied. In this case Allied sells these and if you go to the part page you will see a link for a PDF data sheet which will tell you everything you need to know about that relay, and a lot you don't care about too. Find the connection diagram for the RM84 series to find out which pins are what.

RM84-2012-35-5230 at Allied: http://www.alliedelec.com/altech-corp-rm84-2012-35-5230/70245611/?mkwid=sZZdjcVZO&pcrid=64705361417&pkw=rm84-2012-35-5230&pmt=e&pdv=c&gclid=CjwKEAjw-abABRDquOTJi8qdojwSJABt1S1O7zY0kEuSSJ6BpExvs9Hi3cqXkgH99-a9XiN7apGJThoCJq_w_wcB
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