My heat box got cruise control

[Forwardhandle]

I only get called that in the bedroom 

[garyschuler]

I think you can get a complete unit that you describe from ( Tex Turner's ) They make several oven tamers that use the pid controllers that you describe staring at $140.00. Curtis is the owner of Cactus Juice Stabilizing fluid.
Check out their website f interested, it is nice to make your own but, they're other options also.

[Forwardhandle]

Flem what is the difference between say a PID unit & Inkbird type controler if your using light bulbs for heat ? Im always up for learning somthing new ?

[Flem]

The PID would work fine with the light bulbs. The thing is, it's not an on/off switch like a standard temperature controller, so once the box gets up tp temp, the bulbs would constantly be getting varying amounts of amperage, as well as switching on and off occasionally. I don't think they would have much of a life span functioning like that. A better choice would be ceramic IR emitters, for standard sockets. If you did use bulbs, you would have to place a small boom box inside your oven, to go with the cool disco strobe effect from the lights.

[Forwardhandle]

Im really more of a 70s guy shag carpet & quad speakers...lol but sounds like it would work great with heat strips , Pm sent Flem wanted to get your take on a controler and does any body have any thoughts on quality thermal strips (company name) just shoping parts looks like you could put one of these together for a reasonable price ? Sounds like a good inside the house project over winter a lot of trouble makers around this site 😃

[Forwardhandle]

Thanks Flem Im ordering my control head, heat sink & relay ,thermal couple when I get back in town ,I found a small tool box Im going to build mine in ,Im going to wire mine 120v that should give me 3000 watts if my math is right but having a hard time figuring a heat elements ,I need to find the heat strips some where , Flem did you use heat sink grease when attaching your heat sink ?

[Fishinglink]

Thanks Flem Im ordering my control head, heat sink & relay ,thermal couple when I get back in town ,I found a small tool box Im going to build mine in ,Im going to wire mine 120v that should give me 3000 watts if my math is right but having a hard time figuring a heat elements ,I need to find the heat strips some where , Flem did you use heat sink grease when attaching your heat sink ?

Don’t know how it would work for a heat box but for reptiles I’ve been using flexwatt heat tape for years. Never tested for max output due to only needing 90*F. It’s not sticky backed though. I use foil tape for ducts to stick the edges down. You can get it from The Bean Farm.
https://beanfarm.com/products/flexwatt-heat-tape-11-in?variant=24905297801

Cody.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Forwardhandle]

Thanks Cody I found some ceramic IR emiters for cheap might go that route easy to replace and have spares around and if things should ever go south during cure you could always screw light bulbs in and run manual shift , Flem your thread came up at a perfect time for me as I was planning on building a dedicated hot box instead of my make shift one this winter any how !

[Flem]

I did not have any thermal paste, so I used some copper anti seize. Figured it would not melt away and the copper should conduct heat

[Forwardhandle]

Thank you sir Im ordering some heat sink gel its cheap , all I need left is to track down a muffin fan I think I have a couple but 12 v DC , I will find a 120v , your projects remind me of the old Heath kit or Lafeyet elec. projects , I think I will try to track down a project box make it look more pro factory look..,,lol

[Forwardhandle]

Thanks for the info on these there cheap and more efficient then incidence bulbs ,your pretty smart  for a Hill Billy all parts are on the way   

[skeaterbait]

Let us know how much heat you can generate from those please. I have 4-200 watt incandescent now and I can get about 190° which is enough to cure stabilizing resin. It would be great if those could do the same thing.

[Forwardhandle]

Lonnie I will, I got the 200 watt ones I think I'm going to run 3 but I'm only looking for 170 Deg  top end !

[Forwardhandle]

Flem got my Lignaphile cruise controller , relay, probe, & heat sink gel still waiting on my muffin fan , and looking for led lights & project box yet.

[Forwardhandle]

Flem I'm getting started on my after work inside projects and got all my components & job box , I decided not to put a Amp meter in the system & opted for a led status light but I have a question for you what's your thoughts on long time use on these ceramic IR heat elements , I'm making two different hot boxes one for bow baking & the other for curing osage riser blocks over a 3 week period adjusting the controller up in presetion  increments over that time , do you think these heat elements can take the long duty life or should I look for heat strips for  the drying box ? Also even buying the components new I'm still under $100

[Flem]

I have had good luck using those emitters. I have one in my pump house, connected to one of those cheap plug in thermocubes. Been in there for 5 winters now, no problems. Never had any failure when I was using them in my box, either. I thought about using the heat strips in my box, but they are spendy. You can pick up a used baseboard heater , for next to nothing. Just another option to consider. No mater what heat source you go with, I believe the axial fan helps it's longevity by reducing hot spots.