My brewery controller: iBrew - Page 4

WBC · 12-25-2008, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derrin

Go to the Arduino - HomePage website, they have a compiler and a ton of libraries all for free. I'm also using XP. I'll compile a list of part numbers and post them, but the relays are from Electronic Goldmine. They're 5V and only cost like $1.25 each. The Arduino can only source or sink 40mA so you have to use a transistor. There are several tutorials on the website about using transistors to drive relays.

I have done that before using 2n2222 transistors so that is not a problem.

Quote:

I have the PCB Express board patterns, but I don't have a good schematic. I'll try and put one together.

That will help.

Quote:

I like the BCS 460, I think it's pretty cool, but the real purpose of this project was to get my feet wet coding and have a project I could actually apply something I knew too. Just like building my entire brewery was an exercise in learning to TIG. I do what I do for control over the process and to learn something. The "iBrew" will probably never actually be done. The board in these photos is the 3rd I etched and built for this project and I already have ideas for the next one!

I know what you mean. After you build something you get new ideas and have to satisfy yourself and build another.

I have no idea how much you can do with the BCS460 (Programing and control?)

Foosinho · 12-29-2008, 11:53 AM

I got my Arduino clone over the weekend. Very slick little system, and the little Java IDE makes it really easy to program and test. I wrote version 0.1 (heh) of my brewing controller in about 15 minutes last night. OK, calling it a brewing controller is a little glorified, since I'm doing electric extract brews. It's more like something to log the potentiometer setting that controls the heating element as I do my boil.

Now to prototype some hardware...

**Derrin** · 12-29-2008, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foosinho

I got my Arduino clone over the weekend. Very slick little system, and the little Java IDE makes it really easy to program and test. I wrote version 0.1 (heh) of my brewing controller in about 15 minutes last night. OK, calling it a brewing controller is a little glorified, since I'm doing electric extract brews. It's more like something to log the potentiometer setting that controls the heating element as I do my boil.

Now to prototype some hardware...

This free PCB CAD software is awesome: ExpressPCB - Free PCB layout and schematic software They etch prototype boards but they're not cheap. They give you the software to use their service, although you don't HAVE to use their service. Anyway, it really helped me with the prototyping of my boards.

andrimar · 12-29-2008, 08:33 PM

I was under the impression you had to use their PCB service. Did some research a few years back when I was finding "my" PCB software. IIRC this was the feature that deterred me from Express PCB. If this has changed, like you say, that would be awesome and I may have to reevaluate my choice. Which was btw Eagle mostly due to the widespread use within the avrfreaks.net community. So are there any plans to setup a space for an open brewing controller?

**Derrin** · 12-29-2008, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrimar

I was under the impression you had to use their PCB service. Did some research a few years back when I was finding "my" PCB software. IIRC this was the feature that deterred me from Express PCB. If this has changed, like you say, that would be awesome and I may have to reevaluate my choice. Which was btw Eagle mostly due to the widespread use within the avrfreaks.net community. So are there any plans to setup a space for an open brewing controller?

I like his because it's free. Don't you have to pay for Eagle? I am making my own boards with the iron-on Press N Peel or what ever it's called. But I can print the copper layer out on to a laser printer with no problems at all.

camiller · 12-30-2008, 02:52 PM

Another alternative to consider is the Sanguino. It is based on the atmega644P vs the atmega168 on the Arduino and has 4 times the memory and 32 general purpose IO pins vs 20. It is intended to be programmed from the same Arduino environment so there is very little modifications needed.

**Derrin** · 12-30-2008, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camiller

Another alternative to consider is the Sanguino. It is based on the atmega644P vs the atmega168 on the Arduino and has 4 times the memory and 32 general purpose IO pins vs 20. It is intended to be programmed from the same Arduino environment so there is very little modifications needed.

I had heard about the Sanguino but never took the time to look further into it. That is one awesome little platform!!

Anyone want to buy an iBrew ??

camiller · 12-30-2008, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derrin

That is one awesome little platform!!

Anyone want to buy an iBrew ??

It does indeed look cool, in fact a number of interesting things are coming out of the reprap project. Here is a special purpose sanguino board intended to run a reprap machine that has a spot for a SD card

One of these days when I get more time...

andrimar · 12-31-2008, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derrin

I like his because it's free. Don't you have to pay for Eagle? I am making my own boards with the iron-on Press N Peel or what ever it's called. But I can print the copper layer out on to a laser printer with no problems at all.

You can get a free version, the restriction are that you can only make boards that are 10x8 cm or smaller. Also you only get 2 layers. This has been sufficient for me for the past 2 years. But I must agree with you that the Express PCB package is a lot of power for free! If you don't mind being stuck with one board supplier.

**Derrin** · 01-01-2009, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrimar

You can get a free version, the restriction are that you can only make boards that are 10x8 cm or smaller. Also you only get 2 layers. This has been sufficient for me for the past 2 years. But I must agree with you that the Express PCB package is a lot of power for free! If you don't mind being stuck with one board supplier.

Oh yeah, that was the problem, on the stir plate circuits I etch 9 to a 4X6 board and I couldn't print a 4X6 board with the free Eagle. I remember now.

Anyway, I just print them and etch myself so it has worked great. I have a library of custom components in it and it is very easy to use.