Kiln Controller

To Do

• Temperature sensor volatility remains a problem, rendering the PID D term unusable.
  • Implement a better smoothing function. Forward weighted moving average over significantly more than 10 terms.
  • Look at the run from 2024-09-03 to find out the period of the high temperature swings.
  • Look at the data from 2024-09-04 to find the noisiness at low temperature.

Notes

• rsync -avz kiln-controller/ pi-kiln:./kiln-controller/ --exclude '*/profiles/*' --exclude '*__pycache__*'

• Kiln Controller: https://digitalfire.com/url/3306
  • https://github.com/jbruce12000/kiln-controller?tab=readme-ov-file
  • Kiln Screen PR: https://github.com/jbruce12000/kiln-controller/pull/24
• Thermocouple Amplifier: https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-max31856-thermocouple-amplifier/pinouts
  • Testing: https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-max31856-thermocouple-amplifier/wiring-and-test
  • Pi 31856; soft SPI failed, hard SPI succeeded: https://forums.adafruit.com/viewtopic.php?t=112301
• Watchdog Timer: https://pimylifeup.com/raspberry-pi-watchdog/
• Kiln Controller 2: https://www.instructables.com/Build-a-Web-Enabled-High-Temperature-Kiln-Controll/
  • 5 Years Since Update: https://github.com/botheredbybees/kilnController
• Game Icon Mugs: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Dwarvesong
• Firing
  • https://wiki.glazy.org/t/firing-schedule-general-theory-and-documentation/363.html
  • https://cawstudiopotters.wordpress.com/exp/kilns-firing/
• Kiln Coil Installation
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnctvXK8ZzM
• Tactile HID
  • I2C Quad Buttons: https://www.adafruit.com/product/4980
  • I2C Quad Encoder: https://www.adafruit.com/product/5752
  • Cherry MX Keycaps: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D4LZQL6H

Run 1

• Thermocouple response is very laggy.
• Clock doesn't run when temperature is outside range.
• Laggy thermocouple means temperature overshoots.
• Rate throttle is aggressive, but necessary given laggy thermocouple.
• Temperature reading may be a bit on the low side (actual is 5 - 10f higher), though tough to say because of lag.

Photos

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