Dehydrator question.

[Toker]

Hi, today i received my new dehydrator Excalibur 3900 with no timer and the dial thermostat is hard for me to access so i taught controlling it with my old PID. So i contacted Suyi at Auber to ask if i could use my old PID to facilitate things for me. He reply me saying that since it is just a 600 watts and the PID can take up to 1440 it should be OK no matter the elements difference system (dehydrator element are on the back wall unlike on the OBS that are on the bottom) But i must find the right place for the probe. Any idea? I have a 9 trays. Also what direction should be facing the tip of the probe i mean door or fan?

Of course i will need to auto tune it but at least, i will be able to controlling it. Also, do i need to preheat it before setting the meat inside or no need?So

just let me know what you think. THX

[muebe]

Will you be controlling just the heating element only with the PID or both the element and the fan? If you are plugging the dehydrator into the PID for a power source and control then you may have a problem with the fan going on and off while the PID is trying to regulate temp...

As far as the placement of the temp probe I would say at the back in the middle of the fan ;D

[Toker]

Hey muebe you are right i did not think about it man ;) How I'M gonna do? Do you know how to separate the fan from the element on the back like on the OBS? Might be the only solution  ???

[NePaSmoKer]

Toker

I had an old excalibur that i took apart. You need the fan blowing over the coil so it does not get to hot and blow out the little electronic doohicky soldered to the power by the fan.

[Toker]

Yeah, i think i will forget the projet. To many things to rewire and not worth it. I just hope the temp is about even.

[muebe]

Well if you just rewire the fan to direct power with a switch and seperate electrical plug... that would not be too difficult I imagine. This mod would give you great temp control for sure. Post pics if you decide to do it Toker ;)