Hello to anyone reading this. Been quite a long time since I posted anything here at Otherpower. Since the last time, I've moved off grid. Today's question is about attaining better control over my woodstove. I've discovered the wonderful, affordable world of PID controllers, but I can't figure out how to integrate it into the stove.
Here's what I want to do. I want to install an actuator onto the factory air damper. (my stove is fitted with an outdoor air intake, so installing a sepsrate damper would be possible, but would like to avoid that for safety concerns) The stove is small and requires loading in the middle of the night. I want to be able to load with the damper open, and be able to go back to bed, and have the controller trim the air damper when the stove comes up to temp. It would also help to run the stove when I'm not right there to tend it, like when a stubborn burning piece of wood could use more air, or to tame down a flare up when the wood shifts.
I've stepped out a few times, only to come back to a stove that was running way too hot, so I really dpn't like to leave it unless I can have the damper closed now, but that sometimes leads to a smothered fire.
So if someone can help me with integrating a PID controller to an actuator, preferably using 12v, it would be appreciated.