StillSmart

Re: Digital Parrot & Fermenter Controller

2016-12-05T10:27:05+00:00

Hi yhb using arduino or raspery pi you if my understanding is correct be able to automatically control the entire setup (ie constant temp monitor on of of heating elements in boiler temp of condenser and speed or slow water flow )would be a bit of work but precise and would produce a beter end product as a result mike

Statistics: Posted by Iamgod — Mon Dec 05, 2016 10:27 am

Re: Digital Parrot & Fermenter Controller

2016-03-13T02:49:15+00:00

Benoit wrote:
I say that like its a 5 minute job which I'm damn sure it isn't!

I am sure it is a 5 minute job to the clever folk who understand Arduino speak, but I am very basic coder. When I say I do not want it, sometimes this could be interpreted a "I have not got a clue how to do it"

I am keen to get the SSR working, to ascertain if there is any radio interference on the screen, the last time I tried to install some digital thermometers near the SSR's the LCD's changed to gobbledegook.

Statistics: Posted by YHB — Sun Mar 13, 2016 2:49 am

Re: Digital Parrot & Fermenter Controller

2016-03-12T21:39:43+00:00

Ah I see, I couldn't see the twiddly knob for the SSR so I wondered if it had been connected to the arduino. Maybe if the touch screen could be used to adjust it up & down in half degree intervals so you don't lose the human touch, I say that like its a 5 minute job which I'm damn sure it isn't!

Statistics: Posted by Benoit — Sat Mar 12, 2016 9:39 pm

Re: Digital Parrot & Fermenter Controller

2016-03-12T15:33:52+00:00

Benoit wrote:
does the arduino control the SSR as well?!

That always seems a lot of work for very little rewards.

A computer to turn the power down from 2.5kW to 0.9kw when the boiler boils? I think I can do that without a computer. I will have a buzzer that tells me when it starts to boil, actually it is going to be a women's voice that announces the fact by saying something like ???, Anyhow, when I hear the buzzer I intend to turn the dial rather than watch a computer turn the dial.

Statistics: Posted by YHB — Sat Mar 12, 2016 3:33 pm

Re: Digital Parrot & Fermenter Controller

2016-03-12T15:26:42+00:00

Benoit wrote:
Also, can I ask what you've made that thermowell from?

Made it up from bits and pieces out of the really box of really useful bits, it works but not very well, there is far too much brass which all need to be heated up before the probe works.

I have in my mind an alternative that should respond quicker, I soon as I have made one I will post some pictures.

Statistics: Posted by YHB — Sat Mar 12, 2016 3:26 pm

Re: Digital Parrot & Fermenter Controller

2016-03-12T08:21:37+00:00

Looks amazing Brian, does the arduino control the SSR as well?! I'm still waiting for the slow boat from China to get here
Also, can I ask what you've made that thermowell from?

Statistics: Posted by Benoit — Sat Mar 12, 2016 8:21 am

Re: Digital Parrot & Fermenter Controller

2016-03-12T08:02:38+00:00

I am still looking to make a plug and play Model.

Here is the start of the Mark 2 combined with power controller

Warm Up Routine
Stage 1

Warm Up Routine
Stage 2

Warm Up Routine
Stage 3

Operating
Mode 1

Operating
Mode 2

Operating
Modes 3 to 8 to follow

Statistics: Posted by YHB — Sat Mar 12, 2016 8:02 am

Re: Digital Parrot & Fermenter Controller

2016-03-01T08:31:21+00:00

A lightbulb is success all the same! Before you know it Ice, you will be controlling your entire brew shed from your mobile phone! I must admit, plugging in a little box that shows up on an app my phone sounds amazing....getting that app past all the controls to get it in the App Store would probably be the death of it though. Maybe a jail broken phone & 3rd party app?! I think that might be doing the foxtrot before leaving the womb for me, let's wait until the clever people work it out!
In the mean time, I will make my brain ache over at VisionStills & see what happens. And yes I've ordered more spirit hydrometers

Statistics: Posted by Benoit — Tue Mar 01, 2016 8:31 am

Re: Digital Parrot & Fermenter Controller

2016-03-01T07:00:24+00:00

Benoit wrote:
Thanks Robert, I spent 10 mins on there just reading & my brain is fried already! Me & electrical doodahs don't get on, let's hope I can find someone willing to nurse me through the whole process in the morning

Same here Benoit...I've had an Arduino Uno for the last year that I've been playing on...must admit when you write a line of code and that bloody LED bulb lights up..but the look the other half gives me is a picture.

You wait today a LED...tomorrow the world then we'll see who's laughing then...

Statistics: Posted by Icefever — Tue Mar 01, 2016 7:00 am

Re: Digital Parrot & Fermenter Controller

2016-03-01T06:52:33+00:00

Sorry if do not pop in too often.

Building a parrot is relatively easy, Sometime ago I have posted a circuit diagram and published the code for the one I am using now.
http://visionstills.org/index.php/topic,100.0.html

The trouble is that the e-parrots are developing fast with different people concentrating on different aspects.

A couple of really intelligent people are concentrating on levels of accuracy that I do not think are necessary. Whilst others are intent on making Wi-Fi parrots that are accessible on their phones. Since I built mine code is now available to compensate for different atmospheric pressures as a thunderstorm passes overhead or if you are running your still on top of a mountain.

I am sure that all these efforts will come together in a "Digital guide for Dummies" sooner or later

It is fascinating stuff but I keep reminding myself that it is only to help me make better booze and not an end product in itself.

I am currently working on a parrot that hopefully will be as near plug and play as you can get. It is changing so quickly that it is impossible to keep all the forums updated with the progress. But I will post any major breakthroughs here as they happen.

Statistics: Posted by YHB — Tue Mar 01, 2016 6:52 am

Re: Digital Parrot & Fermenter Controller

2016-03-01T00:12:02+00:00

If you come up with something simple and share-able please do!
I have failed to find a simpletons guide over there.

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Tue Mar 01, 2016 12:12 am

Re: Digital Parrot & Fermenter Controller

2016-02-29T09:16:47+00:00

I'm currently hunting on there for an idiots guide, or if they have one, an absolute simpletons guide!
Putting the bits together shouldn't be too hard, I have even been known to repair mobile phones...wiring things to mains electricity always makes me nervous though & lets not even get started with all the talk of code & software. If I can't touch it then it's not real & runs on magic!

Statistics: Posted by Benoit — Mon Feb 29, 2016 9:16 am

Re: Digital Parrot & Fermenter Controller

2016-02-29T01:27:57+00:00

Yes, the same thing seems to happen to my head when I try and catch up there, small (our size) base user size,but seem to have a lot of Tech. heads.
And number crunchers.But they are a friendly bunch, and that makes them my mates.

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Mon Feb 29, 2016 1:27 am

Re: Digital Parrot & Fermenter Controller

2016-02-29T01:12:09+00:00

Thanks Robert, I spent 10 mins on there just reading & my brain is fried already! Me & electrical doodahs don't get on, let's hope I can find someone willing to nurse me through the whole process in the morning

Statistics: Posted by Benoit — Mon Feb 29, 2016 1:12 am

Re: Digital Parrot & Fermenter Controller

2016-02-29T00:40:51+00:00

YHB doesn't hang around here much these days.
But you can try seeking or asking for the info you need here http://visionstills.org/
Where he is now a moderator.

HTH

Robert

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Mon Feb 29, 2016 12:40 am