Temp analog to PLC

I'm helping some students work on a project and could use some advice.

The project is a ethanol still that the students built. The idea is to get the process semi-automated. I am a PLC programmer and have limited knowledge on what components I should be using as inputs/outputs. I also know that using a PID would be ideal, but I guess that is not an option to purchase right now

So what I am using AB MicroLogix 1400 series PLC (4 analog inputs)

some discrete inputs/outputs (pumps, buttons etc)

What I need is an analog temperature sensor (0-10V ) for reading stack (steam I believe) temp and reading water/mash temp in the tank. (not sure if I can use the same kind of sensor or not)...if anyone could recomnet a specific brand I would appreciate it...there are so many options, just not sure of the right one! Thanks!

Try http://www.ifm.com/ifmus/web/temperature.htm
Any analog output sensor connected to a ML1400 analog input point will do it, of course presuming it will cover your application's temperature ranges.
They are very reliable, not too expensive and very user friendly at calibration time.

buy a Pt100 and use a xtr105 very precise and reliable.
and of course every converter will do this.

The 0-10Vdc analog inputs are 'high level', so temperature sensors can not connect directly.

Standard industrial temperature sensors are
- thermocouples, millivolt output which need 'cold junction compensation' for any reasonable accuracy.
- RTD's that are resistive elements, require a constant current 'excitation' source (less than a milliamp)

Thermistors are also resistive elements, but require an input capable of reading resistance by sourcing a current and reading the voltage drop; or an external voltage source that creates a voltage drop (which an analog input 'reads') by sourcing a constant current.

The typical approach is to use a temperature sensor along with an industry standard 'transmitter' which converts the temperature sensor signal to an industry standard range, like 4-20mA or 0-5Vdc or 0-10Vdc. An industrial transmitter requires a separate power supply, typically a 24Vdc power supply.

4-20mA is sooo common, that frequently a precision resistor is used to create a 1-5Vdc (with a 250 ohm) or 2-10Vdc (500 ohm) signal (Ohms law).

Many PLCs have modular cards which accept temperature sensors directly. I don't know if the 1400 does or not.

The TP RTD here: http://www.ifm.com/ifmus/web/temp-ia-2.htm might have both an RTD and a transmitter in one assembly, it isn't clear.

But at $78 it might be worth checking into. Most RTD's cost around $78 by themselves.