The Kendrick Digifire 7 controller is attractively priced and has a lot to offer from standard analog controllers.

Programming the unit is very easy despite it only having two buttons.  All you have to do is select the output and set the duty cycle...move on to the next output and youre done!  It has worked flawlessly and may take a tiny bit getting used to the duty cycles depending on your requirements and how many heaters you have plugged into it.

Mounted on the side fork arm of my Meade LX200 10 classic, it adds a great deal of bling, if you will, to my setup.  It looks great.  The unit does come with velcro for mounting and its adhesive is very strong once pressed in place.  To that end, I must stress that when removing the unit from where ever you mounted it to should be done carefully...the case comes in 2 parts.  Back and front.  If you are NOT careful you can yank the back off, as it is just snapped in place (not screwed together) and it will tear your nice warranty voided if removed label apart.  :(  (Yes, it happened to me).  That was its only drawback.

It comes with a cigarette lighter adapter for use with 12V DC power systems.  I believe it comes shipped with a 5 amp fuse, but you can swap that out for a 7 amp if necessary.  I wouldn’t go any higher as you’ll likely burn up the controller.  It will shut down once the voltage drops to a certain level so you don’t ruin your battery.

Overall, I really like this much more than a single channel controller with a potentiometer.  I’ve tried making my own with comparator circuits and envelope circuits, but would have ended up spending more on the parts to prototype one.  Just get this and you’ll be happy.

If you need the ability to monitor and compare ambient temperature to heater temperature then I’d suggest getting the Digifire 10 as the Digifire 7 does not have the ability to do this.

From: | Created on: 10/16/2009 1:48:55 PM