Barnaby Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 Ha ha, I need to know these things cos of my limited knowledge of electrics! I wasn't sure if it mattered which live terminal went into which input. I'm gonna definitley try this soon. I'll post a report to let you know how it goes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laphroaig Posted September 4, 2012 Author Share Posted September 4, 2012 (edited) I've got one of those too ..... "a limited knowledge of electrics," damn stuff scares me stupid. Everything I've learnt about it has been from reading this forum and pestering Scraglor et al with lots of stupid questions. Not to concern you too much but posting the details here is just as much a "please tell me what I've done wrong before I burn the house down" as it is a "woo look at me aren't I clever". That said it's my 3rd variac/transformer build and (types whilst gripping the wooden desk with other hand) I think I've just about got it. Haven't blown a single fuse getting it to work this time! Best of luck with your build. Peace Edited September 4, 2012 by Laphroaig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laphroaig Posted September 6, 2012 Author Share Posted September 6, 2012 (edited) Thought I'd better update you on some of changes. I've been testing the control for a couple of days continuously and have noticed that the corner of the display on the ATC-800+ was getting quite hot. It was where I put the foam pads so I've got rid of them so air can circulate all round the ATC-800+ case. I also wanted to do something with the sensor, having it just flapping about wasn't the best solution as it might get snagged so I threaded the sensor lead through a length of flexible plastic tube. I tried air-line first but that was just a little too snug to feed the wire through, as it was I still had to "grease it up" with a little silicone spray so I didn't stretch the wire pulling it through the clear plastic pipe. It's actually better suited, it's a bit stiffer than the air-line so it hangs out in front instead of drooping. I ran the clear plastic pipe all the way from the sensor bulb at the end all the way back through the cable gland into the case and round to the ATC-800+. For added protection I cut a length of 25mm diameter plastic pipe and threaded the clear pipe through it before securing it in place with cable ties. Had allot of spare sensor cable at that point so I trimmed it off, split it and stripped off the insulation, very tricky job, the leads are exceptionally fine braided copper wire and break easily if you stretch the cable trying to get the insulation off. Practice a bit at the spare end first .... like I didn't! The wires going to the back strip of contacts had a haircut and got tidied up with bootlace ferules. Important to ensure good and tidy connections as I was going to be assembling it up a ladder with nothing to rest it on except my shoulder when connecting up the wires from the lid. All done! It's been running a day or so and it's great. So much better than anything else I've made so far. It's the ATC-800+ that makes it, oh and the cover isn't getting hot any more either! I think I may be revisiting my other projects and upgrading the room thermostats to these. Peace edit: Just had an idea, going to thread some stiff coat hanger type wire down the plastic pipe outside the box to the cable gland so I will be able to bend the sensor to whatever position I want. Edited September 6, 2012 by Laphroaig 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joint hogger Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 Lap i just picked up a 2A variac recently & its got an earth connector on the contact arm unlike the 1A & 0.75A. so far i've got all the bits except a controller, saw some unbranded ones from globalcom for £27 & a atc for £32, im also thinking of putting a stc1000 or a tc10 in a box with a spare 0.75A :wink: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joint hogger Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 found an updated pdf which mentions the earth connector :wink: when i opened the 300x22x12.5 box, i discovered that it has 2 plastic clip in door hinges to fit to the box that'll make it a bit more easier :wink: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Where Angels Play Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 Some thick twist plant ties would be perfect for your sensor,about £1.50 for 2m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenstar Posted October 9, 2012 Share Posted October 9, 2012 Hi laph thanks for this brillant thread im going to make one of these now iv seen this thread but iv got a bit of a problem already been to maplins today to get relay as in firt post but the relay iv got is the same one as Joint hogger in his thread will it still be wired to same numbers help me out please thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rastajedi Posted October 9, 2012 Share Posted October 9, 2012 Thats a great piece of kit you made Laph very well done mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joint hogger Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 Hi laph thanks for this brillant thread im going to make one of these now iv seen this thread but iv got a bit of a problem already been to maplins today to get relay as in firt post but the relay iv got is the same one as Joint hogger in his thread will it still be wired to same numbers help me out please thanks both the relays do the same job, its just a different design. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laphroaig Posted October 10, 2012 Author Share Posted October 10, 2012 Hi laph thanks for this brillant thread im going to make one of these now iv seen this thread but iv got a bit of a problem already been to maplins today to get relay as in firt post but the relay iv got is the same one as Joint hogger in his thread will it still be wired to same numbers help me out please thanks Erm, dunno without looking at it, there's usually a circuit diagram on the side, without seeing that I can't help very much. Sorry . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joint hogger Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 heres a pic of the 5A relay i used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laphroaig Posted October 10, 2012 Author Share Posted October 10, 2012 Okay it's the same essentially. The relay is switched by current between 13 and 14 so these should be connected to the ATC-800 and the neutral supply. Either set of contacts can be used. I'll use the ones on the left for this example. 9 is the common terminal that takes the live current to the fan. 1 is the normally closed terminal, this is the live input from the variac 5 is the normally open contact, this is connected directly to the live supply. Hope that helps. Peace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenstar Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 thanks alot laph thats a great help hopefuly ill be wiring up at week end just wating for atc-800 ill let you no how it goes and thanks to you to joint hogger i seen your threads first but i thought laphs best suits me iv got a single sms single with passive intake and a fan heater on a room stat its my first go i cant belive how much them sms make your fan humm my advice to anyone thinking of getting one is dont, build one these thanks again to you both 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brinxmatty Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 (edited) [/url][/img]] thanks for this guide i done me own cheers Laphroaig used the stc10000 did have the atc 800 but when me lights come on it went a bit fuckedup few degrees up and down but this 1s sorted fuck give up with this shit fucked up pic thing Edited November 4, 2012 by brinxmatty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brinxmatty Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 (edited) one last go http://www.uk420.com/boards/index.php?app=gallery&module=images&img=117191][/url] Edited November 4, 2012 by brinxmatty 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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