Auber SYL-1615 User manual

AUBER INSTRUMENTS WWW.AUBERINS.COM
2013.05 P1/3
Instruction Manual
SYL-1615 Temperature Controller for Charcoal Smoker
Version 1.1
2. Specifications
 AC adaptor: 100-240V, 50/60Hz input. 12 VDC, 1 Amp output.
 Power consumption: <2W
 Sampling rate: 4 samples/second
 Accuracy: 0.2% full scale
 Display range: -320~2400°F, or -200~1300°C
 SSR output for Fan: 12VDC, 1 Amp*
 LED display: 0.39 inch, red
 Control Mode: PID, On/off, Limit.
 Alarm: Two set points with buzzer sound.
 Sensor: K type thermocouple, -300~550°F (-200~300°C).**
 Dimension: 2.8x3.5x1.2" (70x90x30mm)
* Up to 3 Amp can be supplied when more powerful power supply is used.
** Eight other types of thermocouple can also be accepted (see table 4)
3. Front Panel
1. Features
This PID controller is for controlling the temperature of charcoal smoker. It will regulate
the on/off time interval of a 12VDC blower to stabilize the temperature in the charcoal
smoker. It has built-in solid state relay that can drive a 12V DC operated blower up to
60 CFM. It has a built-in buzzer that can be set for both low limit and high limit alarm.
The system includes a controller, an AC to 12V DC adaptor, a K type thermocouple.
Also included is power plug that fits the control output jack. User needs to install the
plug to a 12V DC operated blower with adequate wind speed (5 CFM Fan is the most
common for a small smoker).
5. Parameter Setting
①POWER-12V Power supply input
②OUT- Fan control output
③INPUT-Temperature probe input
Figure 2 shows the terminals of the controller. Connect the AC to 12V DC power
adapter to the terminal 1 and wall outlet. Connect the fan connector to terminal 2. The
polarity for this socket is center pin positive (+), outer collar negative (−). Connect the
K thermocouple to terminal 3. Please note that thermocouple connector also has
polarity. The wide blade should go to the wide slot.
4. Connecting the Controller
Note 1. Set Temperature.
There are two ways to set the target temperature.
a. During the normal operation mode, press Λor V once to switch the display from
process value (PV) to set value (SV, or target temperature). The display will start to
blink. Press Λor V again to increase or decrease the SV. When finished, wait 8
seconds and the settings will take effect automatically (the display will stop blinking).
b. Press SET key once. Use >, Λand V keys to enter code 0001. Press SET key to
confirm, then the display would be SV (Su). Press SET key again to display the SV
setting. Use >, Λand V keys to enter the new SV value and press SET to confirm.
Press V key to change the display to END. Then, press SET to exit. You can also
ignore the steps after confirmation of SV. The controller will return to normal operation
mode automatically if no key is pressed for 1 minute. The flow chart below shows how
to set the SV and alarms in details.
Symbol Range Note
SV Target temperature
AH1
Alarm 1 on temperature
End Exit
AL1
Alarm 1 off temperature
AH2 Alarm 2 on temperature
AL2 Alarm 2 off temperature
Description Initial
SV
AH1
End
AL1
AH2
AL2
200
250
249
250
250
Note 1
Arbitrary value
within the
measuring range
Figure 3. Flow chart for how to set target temperature and alarm.
5.1. Temperature setting and Alarm setting (accessed by code 0001)
Table 1. Temperature and alarm parameters
Figure 2. Terminals (back view)
Note 2
Operation Mode
XXXX 0001
Enter Code
Parameter Display
Buzzer On Temp
sv 0200
0250
0250
Target Temp Selection
0249
ah1
al1
ah2
end
Buzzer Off Temp
Buzzer On Temp
SET SET SET
SET
SET
SET
SET
SET

0250
al2
SET
SET
SET
SET
SET Buzzer Off Temp
Figure 1. Front panel
①
②
③
④⑤
⑥
⑦
①②③
①Parameter display
②OUT-SSR output indicator
(AT)-Blinking during auto-tune process
③Set/Confirm
④Digit shift/Alarm mute/Auto-tune
⑤Value decrement/Select previous parameter
⑥Value increment/Select next parameter
⑦AL-Alarm Indicator

AUBER INSTRUMENTS WWW.AUBERINS.COM
2013.05 P2/3
Note 3. Proportional Constant (P): When P increases, the system is more stable.
When P decreases, the system is less stable. If the P is too small, the system would
be oscillatory or even non-convergent.
Note 4. Integral time (I): Brings the system up to the set value by adding a constant to
the output that is proportional to how far the process value (PV) is from the set value
(SV) and how long it has been there. When I decreases, the response speed is faster
but the system is less stable. When I increases, the respond speed is slower, but the
system is more stable. When I is 0, then it turns to be PD control.
Note 5. Derivative time (d): Responds to the rate of PV change, so that the controller
can compensate in advance before |SV-PV| gets too big. A larger number increases
it’s action. Setting d-value too small or too large would decrease system stability,
cause oscillation or even non-convergence.
5.2 PID parameter setting (accessed by code 0036)
The values of P, I and D parameters are critical for good response time, accuracy and
stability of the system. The values of the PID parameters have been optimized for
charcoal grill application. User should not change it unless the result is not satisfactory.
In that case, you can use the Auto-Tune function to automatically determine these
parameters. If auto-tuning result is not satisfactory, you can manually fine-tune the PID
constants for improved performance.
Setting PID parameters is similar to the setting of the Temperature and Alarm
Parameter as shown in the flow chart of Figure 3. The difference is that these
parameters are accessed by enter code 0036 instead of 0001.
Table 2. PID and relevant parameters
Symbol Setting Range Initial Note
P Proportional Constant
I Integral Time
d Derivative Time
SouF
Cycle Rate
ot
Digital Filter Strength
FILt
Exit
End
p
i
d
souf
ot
filt
end
Description
Damp Constant
0.1~99.9(%)
2~1999(Sec)
0~399(Sec)
0.1~1.0
2~199(Sec)
0~3
1.2
300
70
0.7
15
0
SouF too low SouF acceptable SouF too high
Note 3
Note 4
Note 5
Note 6
Note 7
Note 8
Note 7. Cycle rate (ot): It is the time period that the controller uses to calculate its
output. The initial value is set to 15 seconds for charcoal smoker control. Short time
causes the fan to pulse at higher frequency. Longer time may reduce the quality of
control
Note 8. Digital Filter (Filt): can be set as 0, 1, 2, 3. Filt=0, filter diabled; Filt=3, strongest
filtering effect. Stronger filtering increases the stability of readout display, but causes
more delay in the response to changes in temperature.
Buzzer on Buzzer on
PV PV
Figure 4. Absolute high alarm Figure 5. Absolute low alarm
Note 6. Damp constant (SouF): The parameter is controlled by the artificial
intelligence of the controller. This constant helps the PID control quality. When its
value is too high, the system will be over damped. When its value its too low, the
system may overshoot.
5.3 System Configuration Parameters (accessed by code 0089)
Table 3. System configuration parameter setting
PSb 0
rd 0
CorF 0: °C 1:°F
End
Code Setting Range Initial Note
Inty K
outy 2
inty
Atdu
Hy  3
Description
outy
hy
atdu
psb
rd
corf
end
Input Sensor Type
Control Output Mode
Hysteresis Band
Autotune Offset
Input Offset
Control Function
Display Unit
Exit
See Appendix
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
0~9999
0~200
-1000~1000
0: heating 1: Cooling
10
1
Note 9
Note 10
Note 11
Note 13
Note 14
Figure 6. Damp constant
Figure 7. The system setup flow chart
Note 9. The value of outy determines the control mode: When it is set to,
2: PID control mode.
3: On/off control mode.
6: Limit control mode.
Setting value for 0, 1, 4, 5 should not be used for this controller.
The new outy setting will not take effect if the outy is changed until the controller is
restarted .
Note 10. Hy is only used when controller is in on/off or limit control mode. It sets the
hysteresis band for the controller.
Note 11. The auto-tune offset will shift the SV value down by the Atdu value during the
auto tune process. It will prevent the system from damage due to overheating during
auto-tuning.
Note 12. Calibration offset, PSb is used to set an input offset to compensate
the error produced by the sensor. For example, if the meter displays 5 ºC
when probe is in ice/water mixture, setting PSb=-5, will make the controller
display 0 ºC. To set negative value, shift to the very left digit, press down key until it
shows “-“.
Note 13. Rd is for system function selection, 1 for cooling, 0 for heating.
The contents below are for reference and advanced applications. Most BBQ
smoker users do not need to read beyond this point.
Note 2. Set alarm
The controller offers two alarms that can be set to turn on the buzzer at specific
temperatures. The first alarm is controlled by parameters AH1 and AL1. The initial
setting will turn on the buzzer at 250°F and off when temperature drops below 249°F.
The second alarm is controlled by parameters AH2 and AL2. The initial setting of the
second alarm is deactivated. It can be set as low alarm to send warning when
charcoal is low.
AH1 and AH2 are the temperatures to turn buzzer on; AL1 and AL2 are the
temperatures to turn buzzer off. When AH1(2) >AL1(2), the alarm is set for absolute
high alarm as shown in Figure 4 below. When AH1(2) <AL1(2), the alarm is set for
absolute low alarm as shown in Figure 5 below. When AH1(2)=AL1(2), the alarm is
deactivated.
Example, if AH1=250, AL1=249, when the temperature goes up to 250°F, the buzzer
will be on; when the temperature drops down to 249°F, the buzzer will be off. If
AH2=180, AL2=185, when the temperature drops down to 180°F, the buzzer will be
on; when the temperature goes up to 185°F, the buzzer will be off.
User can press the shift key (>) to temporarily mute the buzzer sound. The alarm will
buzz again if the alarm set temperature is reached again. To permanently deactivate
the alarm, set AH1=AL1 or AH2=AL2. Please see flow chart in Figure 3 on how to set
the value.
Operation Mode
0089
Enter Code
Parameter Display
Output mode selection
inty
X

XXXX
X
XXXX
outy
atdu
psb
Hysteresis Band
Input offset
SET SET
SET
SET
SET
SET
SET
X
rd
Heating/Cooling
SET
X
corf
Display Unit(C/F)
end
SET
SET
SET
SET
SET
XXXX
HY
SET
Autotune offset SET
Note 12

AUBER INSTRUMENTS WWW.AUBERINS.COM
2013.05 P3/3
Note 14. Display unit selection CorF: 0 for Celsius (°C); 1 for Fahrenheit (°F).
6. Auto-Tune
The Auto-tune is a feature to let the controller automatically determine the PID
constants to control the object efficiently. The auto-tune function will heat up the
system then let it cool down. It will repeat this about three times. Based on the
response time of the system, the built-in artificial intelligence program will calculate
and set the PID parameters for the controller. The duration of auto-tune depends on
how long to heat up and cool down the system. If the system is very slow to cool
down, the auto tuning could take a long time.
6.1 Auto-tune curve
AT start
PV
SV
AT calculation
AT end
ON OFF ON OFF
ON/OFF PID
6.2 Auto-tune process
1) To active auto tuning: Press and hold > key until the “AT”indicator starts to blink,
which indicates auto-tuning is in process. When “AT”stops blinking, the auto-tuning is
finished. The parameter obtained from auto-tune will be remembered by the controller
unless it is manually changed.
2) To stop auto-tuning: During auto-tuning process, press and hold > until “AT”
indicator stops blinking. Then the previous PID parameters value are resumed.
7. On/off Control Mode
On/off control mode always work even if the system response is unknown. Instead of
holding the temperature at a specific point as the PID mode, on/off control mode will
hold the temperature is a narrow range. Instead of setting the P, I and D parameters,
you just need to set the target temperature and the hysteresis band. It works similar to
a mechanical thermostat. When the temperature passes the set point, the fan will be
turned off. When the temperature drops back to below the hysteresis band (dead
band) the fan will be on again.
To use the on/off mode, set Outy to 3. Then, set the Hy to the desired range based on
control precision requirement. Smaller Hy results in tighter temperature control but
also cause the on/off action more frequent. In the PID parameters menu (code 0036),
only ot and FILT is used. P, I, D and SouF are not meaningful when controller is in on/
off mode.
8. Limit Control Mode
The limit control mode will shut the fan off when the (SV) is reached. The fan will not be
turned on again until the controller is reset manually (press the SET for 5 seconds).
When powered on, it will not start the fan until reset button pressed. The controller can’t
be reset when the temperature is within the hysteresis band (Hy).
To use the Limit control mode, set Outy=6. Then, set the Hy to the range that you want
reset to be blocked. To start the fan, press SET key for 5 seconds or until the output
indicator is on.
Symbol Description
-200~900°C; -320~1650 °F
Working Temperature Range
t
r
j
wre
b
s
y
e
T Thermocouple
R Thermocouple
J Thermocouple
Wre3/25 TC
B Thermocouple
S Thermocouple
K Thermocouple
E Thermocouple
-200~400 °C; -320~752 °F
-50~1600 °C; -58~2900 °F
-200~1200°C; -320~2200 °F
0~2300°C; 32~4200 °F
350~1800°C; 660~3300 °F
-50~1600°C; -58~2900 °F
-200~1300°C; -320~2400 °F
Appendix 1
Table 4. Other types of thermocouple and their code that can also been used with this
controller.
Figure 8. Auto tuning
Fan on
Start
When heating, Outy=6
If PV≤(SV-Hy), relay on
If PV≥SV, relay off
(SV=100, Hy=3)
Figure 10. Limit control mode
PV
SV
SV-Hy
100
97
PV
SV
SV-Hy
100
97
Fan on
When heating, and outy=3,
If PV≤(SV-Hy), relay on
If PV≥SV, relay off
(SV=100, Hy=3)
Figure 9. On/off control mode
10. Error Message and trouble shooting
10.1 Display EEEE
This is an input error message. The possible reasons are, the sensor is not connected
correctly; the input setting is wrong type; or the sensor is defective. If this happens, you
can short two slots of the female thermcouple connector on the controller with a paper
clip or copper wire. If the display shows the ambient temperature, the thermocouple is
defective. If it still displays EEEE, check the input setting, Inty, to make sure it is set to
the right thermocouple type. If Inty setting is correct, the controller is defective.
10.2 No output
The “OUT” LED is synchronized with output. If there is no output when it is supposed
to, check the OUT Indicator first. If it is not lit, the controller parameter setting is wrong.
10.3 Poor Accuracy
Please make sure calibration is done by immersing the probe in liquid. Comparing with
reference in air is not recommended because response time of sensor depends on its
mass. Some of our sensor has response time >10 minutes in the air. When the error is
larger than 5°F, the most common problem is improper connection between the
thermocouple and the controller. The thermocouple needs to be connected directly to
the controller unless an extension wire is used. A copper connector, copper wire, or
thermocouple extension wire with wrong polarity connected on the thermocouple will
cause the reading drift more than 5°F.
Auber Instruments Inc.
5755 N Point Parkway, Suite 99, Alpharetta, GA 30022
www.auberins.com
e-mail: [e-mail] Tel: [phone]
9. Placing the meter
The operating environment temperature for the meter is from -20-50°C (or, 0-100°F).
The meter should be placed away from high heat to protect the plastic housing and
electronics. Two mounting options are provided.
1) A pair of Velcro® fastener. The Velcro has a pressure sensitive adhesive backing.
You can remove the protecting film from the hook piece and stick it to the back of the
meter (see figure 11). Then remove the protecting film from the loop piece and install it
onto the wall. Please note that the pressure sensitive adhesive on Velcro is industrial
grade with strong holding force. It needs to be stick on solid surface. Don’t put it on a
drywall because it may peel off the paint if you decided to remove it later
2) A stainless steel mounting plate. The plate allows the meter to be hung on a hook or
on a nail. It also allows the meter to be permanently mounted with a screw. The
bottom part of the stainless steel mounting plate is covered with pressure sensitive
adhesive. To install it onto the meter, peel off the pink colored releasing film; press it
firmly onto the back of the meter (see figure 11).
Figure 11. Left, using Velcro for mounting. Right, using stainless steel plate for mounting.