Hi guys. Thanks for the great information on so many topics. This is my first post and it was good information so I wanted to share. Over the past year I have been trying to get my Auber to work correctly. Tried many auto tunes, manual tuning, researching, and reading the instructions I dont know how many times. In my quest I contacted Auber. This is the info they sent me from what appears to be tests they ran. It also gives you some understanding of the PID settings and what they do in easily understandable language. Not sure if this is information everyone has already but I am posting it anyway. I will attach the attachment for downloading.
Recommended Parameters for Smokin-It #2 Smoker
Summary
PID settings were tested for Smokin-it #2 smoker in the 170 to 250 F temperature setting range. The following setting is recommended: P=30, I=800, d=150. This group of setting seems to offer the best balance between stability, response time and adaptation to ambient temperature change.
Discussion
1) Proportional Band setting P. Setting between 15 and 30 are acceptable. P=15 gives good respond time at250F, but will cause oscillation at lower temperature setting (170). P=30 will cause the system to respond a little slow, but it is stable for a wider temperature range (170-250).
2) Integral Constant, I. Settings between 600 and 800 are acceptable. The default setting of 600 was optimized for Bradley Smoker. Since Smokin-it has better insulation and slower response, I should be set between 700-800. I= 800 offers the best stability. Smaller number will increase the response time, but may cause temperature to oscillate.
3) Derivative Constant D. The setting between 25 to 150 were tested. The effect of D value change to the control stability in this range is not as sensitive as the other two parameters. D=150 gives the best result in terms preventing large temperature overshot. But it sometimes causes small temperature fluctuation (+/-1 F). D=25 reduces the chance of small temperature fluctuation. However, it may not prevent large temperature overshot at initial heat up, especially at lower set temperature. The system may take longer time to stabilize.
Note,
1) The ambient temperature during these testing is between 40 and 70F. So, if the ambient temperature is at 0F, the performance at 170F, will be very similar as our test result at 250F.
2) This setting should have the smoker stabilize at the set temperature in 40-60 minutes.
Apendix:
Parameters Used in Smokin-It's OEM controller
Model 2
Symbol Description Initial
P Proportional band 60
I Integral constant (second) 850
d Derivative constant (second) 130
Model 3:
Symbol Description Initial
P Proportional band 60
I Integral constant (second) 500
d Derivative constant (second) 130
Model 4:
Symbol Description Initial
P Proportional band 45
I Integral constant (second) 875
d Derivative constant (second) 220
