I am wanting to go all electric keggle, but the only stumbling block I have is the PID. Anyone care to share what brand/model they are using?
Ok, to start with, if you are going to have an eKeggle, let's assume that you are going to make the logical step to some other device as well ( electric HLT, HERMS,RIMS,etc) .
This is where you would use a PID. Top brands include a
this one from Auber Instruments. You will also need a thermocouple and
SSR. Just get the 40amp + heat sink.
The PID uses an algorithm/Dutycycle switch to determine when to apply power. This should keep your temperature +/- 1-2*F.
In the boil, this becomes irrelevant. You could leave a 5500w element at full on a 5 gal boil, and the temp will never get about 212. I would NOT RECOMMEND THIS as you will experience that yummy burnt beer flavor.
So, on a boil kettle, you need two things. On startup, you need to bring the wort to a boil quickly. This is full power. Then once it is at boiling, you need to reduce the power to what it takes to maintain the boil. Exactly what you do on the kitchen stove.
To do this, you need either
1. a big ass rheostat ( Pol found one for $77 ),
2. a timer control circuit wired to the SSR with a variable input.
3. a microprocessor with custom code.
4. That 2-pole switch that beemer alluded to
#2 can be made for less than $10 by anyone that can solder components on a board. If you can't ( or like some Senior members, they *appear* much closer than they used to (eg. glasses) ), I think that some homebrew and a little searching could find you someone to do it. Try the geek at RadioShack.
As with all my recommendations, safety first. GFI circuits & ground that keggle!