Author Topic: Newby on the block... well, to casting anyways. (Read 37005 times))

Spacebus · « **Reply #700 on:** May 22, 2023, 06:26:28 AM »

Quote from: brewbear on May 21, 2023, 06:04:41 PM

Quote from: Hoosier Daddy on May 21, 2023, 04:30:43 PM

Quote from: avator on May 21, 2023, 04:12:43 PM
Quote from: Hoosier Daddy on May 21, 2023, 04:08:09 PM
Me too..
217-20-RF-CE6 2 Cavity HB inbound
Had you asked I would have recommended the 217 - 24 - RF Magnum. All my .22 guns just like it better than the Hunter.

Wayne traded me a tin of those and I still have 300+ left.
Very nice but a bit heavy for most of my .22 guns so I thought this would be close to the 18.1g JSB / FX they all love.
If I remember correctly, those pellets drop at about 19.2 or so grains.

Mine do too, but my lead has a bit of other stuff in it since I'm using a lot of reclaimed pellets.

avator · « **Reply #701 on:** May 22, 2023, 04:03:00 PM »

Working on the box for the PID temperature controller I'm building. I got the dimensions for the control unit from WobblyHand (Bruce) who already received the same kit as I have coming.
I found a Wells Fargo security system controller lock box out in the mancave. I was using it for a doorstop. It's a strong box and it took me the better part of 2 hours to get the lock off because I didn't have the key.
I had a set of rubber feet for the bottom. It already had the holes for mounting the box and I just had to make them a bit bigger.
I also had a 4 pole 20a lighted rocker switch that I bought as a spare for the MKII compressor. It will get a flat black paint job before final assembly.
It's a work in progress.

Insanity · « **Reply #702 on:** May 22, 2023, 04:56:41 PM »

You certainly dive in head first sailor style lol.

avator · « **Reply #703 on:** May 22, 2023, 05:47:51 PM »

Yeah, always been that way. It's even worse now since I have all this free time. But the good thing is, I can find most of the stuff for the projects right here.

I got the hole in the back for the power supply cord and the connector clamp in. I also found a knob and added that.

I'm thinking about a 3 prong female jack instead of a cord to plug the pot into. I would put it in the front. They are a couple bucks on Amazon.

avator · « **Reply #704 on:** May 22, 2023, 05:50:01 PM »

Quote from: Insanity on May 22, 2023, 04:56:41 PM

You certainly dive in head first sailor style lol.

Yeah, I suppose I could have bought a bike and a new truck to haul it in....

LOL

Insanity · « **Reply #705 on:** May 22, 2023, 06:17:34 PM »

What else am I supposed to get the monsters and groceries in, not the bike lol?

NHGuide · « **Reply #706 on:** May 22, 2023, 07:17:14 PM »

Bill,
I just caught up with these last few posts (too lazy to go through the last four pages).
you'll be happy you went temp controlled... it made a large difference with my casting...no more tweaking as you go.
I made my P.I.D. controller quite a while back and love that it can keep my temp at the sweet spot.

I didn't know there were 'kits'
so I just threw one together.

and it ain't pretty. It works nonetheless.
I put mine under the pot as a base just because I don't like long cords.

avator · « **Reply #707 on:** May 22, 2023, 07:29:10 PM »

I have space on a shelf just above the pot for mine.

avator · « **Reply #708 on:** May 23, 2023, 11:23:22 AM »

Put a coat of flat black on the PID box this morning. I'll touch it up before final assembly.
Found the knob in the junk drawer and I just couldn't resist using it.

WobblyHand · « **Reply #709 on:** May 23, 2023, 11:36:29 AM »

Looks great! Amazing what a coat of paint will do.

avator · « **Reply #710 on:** May 23, 2023, 11:52:56 AM »

Yep..
Still considering the probe plug, 3 prong power plug and a fan. Also deciding if I want a probe or connect to the bottom pour nozzle. If I connect to the bottom pour nozzle I will want the probe plug so I can disconnect.
If I need to go with a fan I want a 110v. I'm hoping that just venting the box will be enough. I haven't put a vent in yet because I need to determine the SSR location.

avator · « **Reply #711 on:** May 24, 2023, 02:22:36 PM »

The PID kit is due to arrive tomorrow. The upgraded probe (700c) is due by the weekend along with a wire terminal kit and the 3 prong power plug that I plan to put in the front the box so I can just plug the pot in. I decided to just hardwire the probe into the PID but I will make a bracket so I can just hang the probe in the pot and remove it for pot cleaning and maint. Haven't decided whether or not to install a fan yet... we'll see how it goes first. I may just need to vent the box.

WobblyHand · « **Reply #712 on:** May 24, 2023, 02:42:58 PM »

Quote from: avator on May 24, 2023, 02:22:36 PM

The PID kit is due to arrive tomorrow. The upgraded probe (700c) is due by the weekend along with a wire terminal kit and the 3 prong power plug that I plan to put in the front the box so I can just plug the pot in. I decided to just hardwire the probe into the PID but I will make a bracket so I can just hang the probe in the pot and remove it for pot cleaning and maint. Haven't decided whether or not to install a fan yet... we'll see how it goes first. I may just need to vent the box.

Personally, I'm going with a fan. Remember where the SSR is sourced from. It's very low cost consumer grade electronics, not mil-spec. It may need all the help it can get not to overheat.

That being said, the worst that can happen is it faults short circuit. Then the pot temp will go to maximum. You still have the rheostat on the pot to turn it down. If it faults open circuit, the pot cools down. Dunno, try it. I'll still going to use a fan, since I ordered it (and spent the $).

As a heads up, the heat sink is tapped for M4 screws.

avator · « **Reply #713 on:** May 24, 2023, 03:13:01 PM »

Got ya... I'll be sure to watch the heat inside the box. I can always leave the lid open.

cosmic · « **Reply #714 on:** May 24, 2023, 03:26:03 PM »

No fan in my computer power box as it has cooling vents already in it.. Using it for last 5 years..

Insanity · « **Reply #715 on:** May 24, 2023, 03:42:58 PM »

I have been meaning to build one just haven't been casting enough to really need it yet.

WobblyHand · « **Reply #716 on:** May 24, 2023, 03:43:44 PM »

Quote from: cosmic on May 24, 2023, 03:26:03 PM

No fan in my computer power box as it has cooling vents already in it.. Using it for last 5 years..

That's a pretty wide open box, so it will be relatively cool. I'm using an ammo can and it is water and air tight, so thought it could use some cooling help. Good data point, though.

I over engineer stuff, because I don't like fixing my own screw ups, later. It's a bad habit, (the over engineering) but that's how I'm wired.

avator · « **Reply #717 on:** May 24, 2023, 03:50:17 PM »

Yeah, I think I'm going to use my 4" grinder with a cut off wheel and vent both sides on my box. I don't want it in the top so dust and junk stays out. I'll try to leave room between the heat sink and side of the box to add a fan if needed. I want a 110v fan if needed and most I see are 4" fans and bigger.

triggertreat · « **Reply #718 on:** May 24, 2023, 03:53:19 PM »

No fan in mine either. Just need to use some thermal paste between the heat sink and the SSR. I use a 40-amp SSR and just used an old computer power supply box that has plenty of vent holes in it. Have never had an issue with it.

Here is the build links:

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=158723.msg155780761#msg155780761

avator · « **Reply #719 on:** May 24, 2023, 03:55:10 PM »

I found my 18a power cord today and cut it to length. I left enough to cut into leads for all my wiring. It was 9' long and I saved 3' of it.

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Newby on the block... well, to casting anyways.

Author Topic: Newby on the block... well, to casting anyways. (Read 37005 times))