Heating Blanket Quote

[JukeSnowboarding]

I have a few questions about the MEI blanket quotation for those of you that have done business with them. Deciding the size, voltage, watts and temperature of the blanket was easy. We are gonna use the basic schematic provided here (http://www.skibuilders.com/articles/heatedpress.shtml) for the controller and other parts. The part of the quotation that I am uncertain on, is the various things such as lead wire, fastening devices, exit tabs and thermocouple. I am not certain which combination of these is required for the blanket to connect to our controller.

Any help in understanding this would be great.


Our blanket is planned to be 16''x72'' 220 volts 3000watts and 170 degrees.

[falls]

General consensus is not to rely on a TC in the blanket. People have had major issues with this. So I wouldn't pay more to have an embedded TC that you won't trust.

Lead wires - length - decide where your blanket will be and how far it will need to go to get to your controller (or just go long and trim them).
Most people just get bare ended lead wires then wire on a normal electrical plug that they use to attach the blanket to the controller.


Exit tab. You need to decide how your blanket will exit its metal sheath. A lot of people get it on the end either in the middle or off to the edge.
I have been thinking lately that when I get a new blanket I would actually get the exit tab on the long side at the end so it isn't actually under any pressue in the press. My biggest trouble with the blankets has been coming up with a strategy of changing ski lengths without the pressure damaging the blanket. I feel that pressure on the exit tab area (which in my blanket is a little thicker) is not a good thing and if it is out the side it would be better.

in fact read headmonkey's section about heating the press
http://www.happymonkeysnowboards.com/MonkeyBlog/?p=340

[JukeSnowboarding]

Thanks a lot

[JukeSnowboarding]

Ok so I have the blanket all ordered. Next step is a controller set up. The blanket being made is 220v 2800 watts and 12.73 Amps. Quickly looking through ebay trying to match parts to what I have read online I found this

http://cgi.ebay.com/PID-Temperature-Con ... 5801wt_938

Would something like this work out? Voltage AC 100-240V on the controller so it can handle the voltage? It also comes with an SSR rated up to 25 Amps I believe.

I do not have much experience with electronics but know some people who do, just wanted to check if im headed in the right direction before pursuing further advice, if needed.

[vinman]

Check auberins.com and lightobject.com for parts and info. Also search out the thread I started and building my controller. There is a schematic of my controller in there which was designed from The pics on headmonkeys site with a few changes. You can also see pics of my controller inthe whiteroom skis thread I the journals forum on this site.

[JukeSnowboarding]

Thanks alot

[JukeSnowboarding]

After navigating your schematic and trying to narrow it down to one blanket, I think I am starting to understand it. Also I found a controller and SSR on the websites you gave me.

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_ ... b29b2e72ea

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_ ... b29b2e72ea

I believe these will work in combination with my blanket?

[vinman]

The prices at lightobject were better when I ordered. I used the jld612 controller. I have dual controls and blankets. If you have questions about my schematic let me know. There may have been some minor changes to it in the final build.

[JukeSnowboarding]

Yeah the prices are slightly better on lightobject.com, when I checked earlier it wasnt loading, but it is now. I am currently setting up for one blanket use on the bottom. The only thing I was not sure about your schematic was where to separate some of the bottom wires from one another when only going for one blanket. But reading the how article on the main page gives a simple single layout I used to help distinguish some parts.

I will most likely have more questions soon, and thanks so more for your help so far.

I see your up in Vermont how did you like Stowe this year? I only got up there once or twice.

[vinman]

yeah, if you use the ski builders article and my schematic I think you'll be able to piece it together. Also do a lot of research on the web, there are some other sites that detail building a PID controller pretty well. This one is great http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showth ... Controller

This guy is using 110v I think but the design is the same.

[vinman]

yeah, if you use the ski builders article and my schematic I think you'll be able to piece it together. Also do a lot of research on the web, there are some other sites that detail building a PID controller pretty well. This one is great http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showth ... Controller

This guy is using 110v I think but the design is the same.

I don't ski Stowe, too expensive for me. I'm mostly at Smuggs. We had a great season. Lots of pow in VT this year.

[sammer]

Contacted Hi-heat for pricing on catalog heaters. They wouldn't give me a price list but did quote on the size I inquired about.
6" x 35" 120v just under $80
Figured 2 would give me 2100w and enough coverage for bottom heat.
Might need a pretty thick piece of aluminum to spread the heat across the width of the mold (14.5")
Still thinking about this though as I'm still using my vacuum frame press.
It will be a while before I can find room to build a pneumatic press.

First I gotta sell my house and find a bigger one with a garage (family has out grown this little miners cottage)

sorry for the thread hi-jack but thought it best to try to consolidate the info

sam