Control Panel (Setup)
Introduction
Before your control panel can be used for the first time, a few PID and timer settings must be changed for it to work correctly in our setup. This setup only needs to be performed once.
PID settings
If you purchased your control panel and temperature probes pre-assembled some these PID settings may already be set for you but it's always best to be familiar with them and confirm them yourself.
You'll need to change a few settings on the PID controllers for our setup. These are one-time setting changes that are done and saved. The PIDs will remember whatever settings you enter even when powered off.
To modify settings, hold down the SET button on the PID for 3 seconds to enter programming mode. The up/down arrow buttons are then used to change the current setting. The SET button is used to advance to the next setting. Once done, simply wait 10 seconds. All settings will be saved and the PID will return to the normal operating mode
For the most part we use the default PID settings. There are only a few that must be changed for our setup (shown in red):
| Setting | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ALM1 | Varies (optional) |
Process high alarm (optional): Set to the temperature at which you want to be notified when heating. As the temperature rises through the set value the alarm will sound if the PID alarm switch is on. Useful for knowing when:
|
| ALM2 | Varies (optional) |
Process low alarm (optional): Set to the temperature at which you want to be notified when cooling. As the temperature drops through the set value going the alarm will sound if the PID alarm switch is on. Useful for knowing when:
|
| Hy-1 | 9999 | Deviation high alarm |
| Hy-2 | 9999 | Deviation low alarm |
| Hy | 0.3 | Hysteresis band |
| At | 3 | Auto tuning |
| I | 350 | Integral time |
| P | 40 | Proportional constant |
| d | 2 | Derivative time |
| t | 2 | Cycle time. Must be set to 2 (for SSR). |
| Sn | 21 | Input type: Set to 21 for all 3 PIDs to indicate that RTD type temperature probes are being used. |
| dP | 1 | Decimal point position: Set to 1 for 0.1 degree resolution if displaying temperature in Celsius - see the COOL setting below. (Setting has no effect when temperature is in Fahrenheit). |
| P-SL | -100 | Display low limit |
| P-SH | 2500 | Display high limit |
| Pb | Varies | Input offset: Compensates for errors introduced by the temperature probe / cable / PID combination. Use an accurate thermometer (such as a ThermaPen) in a cup of hot water in the critical 140-160F range and compare against your probe / cable / PID set. For example, if your set reads 1.5 degree higher set Pb to -1.5 in the PID to correct for the error. |
| OP-A | 0 | Output mode |
| OUTL | 0 | Output low limit |
| OUTH | 1000 | Output high limit |
| AL-P | 17 | Alarm output definition |
| COOL | 10 or 2 | System function selection: The default setting of 10 displays temperature in Fahrenheit. If you prefer Celsius set this to 2 and also change the dP setting to 1 for 0.1 degree resolution. (The dP setting has no effect when displaying in Fahrenheit). |
| Addr | 1 | Communication address |
| bAud | 9600 | Communication baud rate |
| FILt | 5 | PV input filter: Set to 5 to avoid oscillations between two numbers as the temperature reading crosses over from one value to another. Higher values result in slower response time but this is not an issue in brewing as temperatures move slowly (relatively speaking). |
| A-M | 0 or 2 | Automatic/Manual status: Controls whether automatic or manual (or both) PID control modes are allowed. Set to 2 for the Hot Liquor Tank and Mash/Lauter Tun PIDs to disable manual mode. Set to 0 for the Boil Kettle PID to allow both modes. (more information) |
| LocK | 808 | Configuration priviledge |
| EP1-EP8 | nonE | Field parameter definition |
For more information, refer to the SYL-2352 PID temperature controller manual.
Auto tuning
Auto tuning is optional and may be performed on all control panels including those that were purchased pre-assembled. It is usually not required.
The Hot Liquor Tank PID can be taught the heating and cooling characteristics of your setup and be tuned to provide more precise temperature control by performing an auto tune. This sets the P, I, and D values in the PID controller. In most cases the values listed above will work fine on brewing setups so we recommend that initially auto tuning be skipped. If your setup is considerably different from our design and after the first few uses you find that the Hot Liquor Tank temperature rises slightly higher or drops lower than the temperature you set, consider performing an auto tune.
To perform auto tuning on the Hot Liquor Tank PID, do the following:
- Fill your Hot Liquor Tank with the volume of water you would typically use and set the Hot Liquor Tank PID to a typical mash temperature of around 154F. (See Step 3: Heat Strike Water from our Brew Day: Step by Step guide).
- Once the water is approximately 10 degrees below the 154F set temperature, set the At setting to 2. To do this, hold down the SET button on the HLT PID for 3 seconds to enter programming mode, use the SET button to advance to the At (auto turning) setting, and then use the up/down arrow buttons to change the setting to 2. Once done, simply wait 10 seconds and auto tuning will automatically start.
- The PID will continue to fire the heating element and raise the temperature past the 154F set value, allow it to drop, and then raise it again. This cycle will repeat a few times until the PID understands how the system reacts such that it can set the proportional, integral, and derivative parameters automatically. The auto tuning process should take between 20-40 minutes but can vary based on the system size. During auto tuning the PID set value (SV) will alternate between displaying the target temperature "154" and "At" to indicate that auto tuning is in progress. Do not make any changes to the system during this time or auto tuning will not work correctly. Once auto tuning is complete the At setting will return to the default value of 3 and the PID set value (SV) will return to displaying the target temperature of 154F.
Auto tuning only needs to be performed once. If anything drastic changes about your setup, consider performing it again.
Brewers who also wish to hold wort at specific temperatures in the Boil Kettle (such as to perform hop stands at temperatures lower than boiling) may perform auto tuning on the Boil Kettle PID as well. Auto tuning is not required for the Mash/Lauter Tun PID.
Timer settings
If you purchased your control panel pre-assembled these timer settings will already be set for you and you may skip this section.
You'll need to change a few settings on the timer for our setup. These settings will vary depending on which timer you're using.These are one-time changes that are done and saved. The timer will remember whatever settings you entered even when powered off.
If using the newer JSL-74A timer:
To modify the settings press the STP button and then hold down the SET button for 3 seconds to enter programming mode. Once in programming mode, the UP and DOWN buttons are used to change the value and the SET button is used to skip to the next setting. Once done, press the SET button or wait 15 seconds to return to the normal operating mode.
The setting values we use are:
| Setting | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Func | SdL | Turns the alarm on (as opposed to off) when time runs out. |
| t1 | M: S | Count down in minutes and seconds. An orange dot will light up next to both the "M" and "S" letters when the correct setting is reached. |
| tdlr | dn | Count down (as opposed to up). |
| PoM | on | Continue counting after power is restored after power loss. If power goes out for a split second (or the panel is accidentally turned off momentarily), we want to make sure to be able to continue in the same spot without having to guess how much time was left. |
| out | ondL | The alarm stays off when starting to count down and turn on when time runs out. |
| run | PU | The timer starts counting down automatically at power up. |
| StoP | 1 | Alarm does not turn on if the STP button is pressed. Note: This setting will only appear when Func is set to "Sdl" and out is set to "ondL". |
For more information, refer to the JSL-74A timer manual.
If using the original Eagle B506-5001/Omega PTC-21 timer:
To modify the settings, hold down the P button for up to 10 seconds to enter programming mode. Once in programming mode, the E button is used to change the value and the P button is used to skip to the next setting. Once done, hold down the P button for up to 10 seconds to return to the normal operating mode.
The settings we use are:
| Setting | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Func | OndL | Turns the alarm on (as opposed to off) when time runs out. |
| trnG | M:S | Count down in minutes and seconds. A red dot will light up next to both the "M" and "S" letters when the correct setting is reached. |
| tdir | dn | Count down (as opposed to up). |
| PrSt | OFF | Continue counting after power is restored after power loss. If power goes out for a split second (or the panel is accidentally turned off momentarily), we want to make sure to be able to continue in the same spot without having to guess how much time was left. |
| FrSt | OFF | Disables resetting the timer by simultaneously pressing the P and E buttons. We will only be using the external reset button we installed. |
| Slvl | 2 | Allow programming mode to be entered by holding the P button for 10 seconds (instead of 3). This ensures that we do not enter programming mode by accident. |
For more information, refer to the Eagle B506-5001/Omega PTC-21 timer manual.
Your control panel is now ready to use. Please refer to the Brew Day: Step by Step article for instructions on using your control panel during a typical brew day.
Continue on to Building Your Brewery - Ventilation.
