Hank I want to know more about the Anemometer please

[kenneroast]

Just a thought since the air pressure sensor can't be used with propane. Instead of measuring gas pressure via the gas feed / line, I'm thinking about looking into measuring gas output near the burner. I found a gas sensor that seems like it might do the trick, but I'm not sure about how a) it will work with Artisan and b) how to hook it up to a Phidget / TC4. I imagine there's a way to make this work, but it might require some wiring though.

Here are the sensors that might work:
http://playground.arduino.cc/Main/MQGasSensors

Here's one of the gadgets (not sure if this is the exact one to use or not):
http://www.seeedstudio.com/wiki/Electronic_brick_-_Gas_sensor%28MQ5%29

A short video showcasing how it can be used:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIf_mpnsZvY
(Skip to 6:35 if it's too boring for you.)

[SusanJoM]

I've decided that recording gas pressures directly to Artisan is probably not in my future until/unless Phidget makes a sensor for that purpose.

Hopefully someone else is more ambitious than I am.

[SusanJoM]

The Phidget 1136 is here and seems to need 3/16" tubing for its ports. 

[kenneroast]

The Phidget 1136 is here and seems to need 3/16" tubing for its ports.

Awesome. Have you installed the pipe in the exhaust yet? I'm antsy to see how this works out for you. I'm also curious where you end up installing it.

[SusanJoM]

The Phidget 1136 is here and seems to need 3/16" tubing for its ports.

Awesome. Have you installed the pipe in the exhaust yet? I'm antsy to see how this works out for you. I'm also curious where you end up installing it.

This is being a slow project.  Today I sourced the 1/4" copper tubing and a bender, but I really can't/won't do any more  for a bit.  I have asked Mr Li to send me a couple of extra ports, and until they are here I can't really proceed. 

[jeffgsd]

Hello I am using a router speed control for controlling my exhaust fan.  I finally got around to getting the anemometer and measuring the changes in air speed based on the "speed Bully" speed control.

To my dismay, the lowest setting on the speed control only resulted in 50% of air flow 9.2 m/s max versus 4.5 m/s Min.  Below is a photo of the unit I am using.

My Question is to anyone who has a variac and has measured with an anemometer.  Are you able to reduce the fan speed further than 50% using a Variac?

If the Variac offers a broader range of control - I will be sending my speed bully back and getting a Variac ASAP!

Thanks 

[SusanJoM]

Here is what I found with the Variac

[edtbjon]

...
If the Variac offers a broader range of control - I will be sending my speed bully back and getting a Variac ASAP!
...
Thanks

You will (probably) not get a broader useable range, but, again probably get more precise and repeatable control. That Speed Bully seems OK though.
Being more precise, some Variacs does give a little boost, e.g. 110V boosted to 130V, but what you need is rather more control to get repeatable in the low and mid range, say setting values like 20%, 40%, 50% ...
Another part of the whole air system is getting the system air tight. I.e. not having small leaks. If the funnel and sieve doesn't sit tight on the exhaust fan, a lot of air is getting in there instead of being sucked out of the roaster...

[SusanJoM]

My experience is different from Bjorn's, as the chart above shows.

My Variac doesn't boost my fan's capacity. It does, however, allow me to reduce the fan's output to about 16% of its maximum. 

In my recent roasts I use that 16% (26 on the Variac) from the start of warmup until the end of First Crack.

[jeffgsd]

Ok,

Went and bought a Variac - did the measurements without taping the screen to the fan and then again with duct tape around the base of the screen, sealing the gap.  The chart below shows my results.  Conclusion:  Variac is better for adjusting the airflow than the speed control.

I can modulate the airflow better and more reliably than before.  Now back to roasting!

[jeffgsd]

After working through the stops on the Variac, I went back and calculated 10% increments from 10% through 100% in M\s, and marked them on the variac so now I have an accurate 10 - stop scale for fan speed/Airflow.  Ahhh the geekery...

[hankua]

After working through the stops on the Variac, I went back and calculated 10% increments from 10% through 100% in M\s, and marked them on the variac so now I have an accurate 10 - stop scale for fan speed/Airflow.  Ahhh the geekery...

Good job! Doing the measurements brings some clarity to the air flow aspect. Along with the heat control, air speed lets you fine tune profile/ROR on the approach to 1C.

[jeffgsd]

Good job! Doing the measurements brings some clarity to the air flow aspect. Along with the heat control, air speed lets you fine tune profile/ROR on the approach to 1C.

Thanks!  I also did the lighter test that Scott Rao recommended in his book with the variac and was able to find the spot where negative pressure begins, which was impossible on the speed bully because the fan was too fast at the lowest setting.

[phischmi]

Hi all,

though i'm still eager waiting for my Huky 500T, i'm yet planing which mods i might implement

Surely i will attach either a dimmer or a variac to the fan. More likely a dimmer, as an appropriate variac is obviously quite hard to find in europe  maybe on alibaba...

I'm already owning an Amprobe TMD-56 which i'd like to replace with a Phidget 1048 - i like minimalism
This also led me to this thread and i'm fascinated, what you guys did with those phidgets.
I could imagine to buy one 1036 and 1011 myself to measure air presure.

@SusanJoM
Did you already attach that 1036 to your Huky? Where did you install the probe and how does it work for you? Is it worthwhile?

Thank you very much!


Greetings from Germany

[SusanJoM]

@SusanJoM
Did you already attach that 1036 to your Huky? Where did you install the probe and how does it work for you? Is it worthwhile?

Ah, no....
I have all the bits and pieces but haven't put them together.
I haven't decided WHICH HUKY to put it into among other things....
And I'm more than a bit nervous about drilling a hole into the HUKY too, so I have all the materials stashed away where I can't see them and be reminded of my failure to proceed :-(((