How I Computerized an 80 Year Old Kiln

Howdy folks! In today's video I bring you part 1 of how I computerized an 80 year old kiln that I rescued from Facebook marketplace. Follow along as I twist my way down dead ends and rocky roads to finally arrive at somewhere that may or may not be in the direction of a fully functional computer controlled kiln. I'll be pulling the old thing kinda of apart, constructing and then removing a lid lifter (because it sucked), and finally tackling the hardware required to control a 50 amp set of coils. Then I'll start testing the hardware using a little tester program before trying to get the final controller software working. Hint: it won't. Oh and stick around for parts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 etc where I will get even closer but never actually achieve actual earthenware firing. If you want to buy any this stuff, here are my affiliate links: ESP32-s3 development boards: https://amzn.to/4uraXvA Mini 5v 5w PCB mounted AC/DC adapter 120-250v: https://amzn.to/43ZJJS1 Beast SSR (120 DA, 60A resistive loads): https://amzn.to/49TC2QP Perf board for prototyping: https://amzn.to/4fDIRK4 240v fan: https://amzn.to/4utYwiL Vevor 12x12x6 enclosure: https://amzn.to/4e1TGnX Mini Circuit Breakers (for the outlets): https://amzn.to/4v2LDNT Mini Relay that controls the bigger one: https://amzn.to/4fIsDPX Fuses holders DIN rail mount (kinda loose but nothing else): https://amzn.to/4g7bNu4 Thermocouple rated to kiln temperatures: https://amzn.to/43w07cT 22 awg wiring used for low current AC and DC connections: https://amzn.to/4xrgw06 Nylon Standoff Kit: https://amzn.to/43Yimb1 **************** Oh and if you're curious about my apps: This is Energy Level: https://apple.co/3UtBuYP And this is Open Water Swim: https://apple.co/3H39IxB Thanks and love to you all! Chapters for the lazy, short attention span, or obsessed: 0:00 - The Kiln Saga Begins 0:35 - Fired Up! 240v 60 Amp Breaker Break Dance and Initial Fire up 1:24 - Lid Lifter Lifts Lid Too Lofty Hence Let it Go 2:37 - Art waits for no man. Clay is dry as bone 4:19 - Techmology? Why bother? 6:10 - Nuts and Bolts and Cogs and Wires. The Build Begins. 9:22 - AC/DC isn't just a band. The AC side explained. 10:43 - AC/DC is a strange name for a band. The DC side explained 11:43 - Watch me solder 14:13 - The big reveal. Switching it on 15:11 - Bring in the micromanagers. Initial control loop. 18:05 - Though shalt not pass! Installing the real software