BALROG Controller

[shure]

- Arduino UNO
- Shield with IC for the high temperature probe
- LCD-Display 2x16 char, parallel, LED backlight
- 1 Analog pot to set the target temperature or fan speed
- 1 Switch for manual/automatic mode
- Charging shield for the batteries, i.e. charging should only take place if there is enough heat/energy. Empty batteries would otherwise suck all the available power. Charging should be current limited and pulsed. The Arduino has such few things to do, a current limited SMPS with a hardware interrupt should be possible. Hardware needed: shunt resistor, opamp, mosfet, ...

Code: PID- or P-controller. LCD for displaying the temperature and battery charging state.

I would leave out the switch and just define the upper range of the pot value to full power, regardless of temperature, and the lowest setting to full-stop.

[aron]

I already have:
- 2x used high temp. probe modules (from german car manufactor R&D lab) up to 1000+ °C
- 1x used SUNON FAN (custom spec for german car manufactor R&D lab, already used in TEG appliances)

[shure]

I have țhe pot, display and also an atmega 328pu with arduino bootloader.

I also have some n channel mosfets for controlling the fan and the charging circuit. I don't have any rail2rail opamps left, but normal ones.
Shunt resistor of 3R3 SMD is also present.

Drop me a line if you need something

[shure]

What kind of temperature probe are those? K-type?

[aron]

Hmm if you like (and if you have time for it) we could collaborate?

Maybe you have time / want to design + build the controller. I could:
- buy all the (best suited) components we need
- send you my temp sensors
- send you my SUNON FAN
- build the stove here in munich with Nikolay in WerkBox3/FabLab

You could send me the controller for final assembly / prototype testing to munich.

(I will have a close look to the temp sensors on saturday when Im back in munich)

[shure]

I have a fan at hand and also a temperature probe, so I don't need those if they are approximately the same kind. Yes I could do that and developing the controller shouldn't be a big deal. But I have this other Open Source micro controller project on my list, the open source timekeeping system which I first want to finish. We already talked about that, I will get to it in 2 weeks and maybe you can help with the web interface

[aron]

Okay, so I will implement the web interface for you and you help me with the controller Deal?

[shure]

Yay, Deal!

[aron]

Okay, what do we need / should I buy?

[shure]

Is the fan out of metal? What is the temperature down there? The fan should be kept in a cool environment so one could use cheap computer fans. But maybe it's cold enough at the current location.
What voltage and current does the fan run on? And I need a data sheet of the sensor, then I can have a look for suitable parts.