looking for advise, opinins, etc
BCS-460 all the way!
Having not used Brewtroller:
I can run my BCS of my laptop, any computer connected to my network, and my iPhone. The graphical display is really why I bought the BCS over the BT. Also, as mentioned above is easy to setup and get working. I don't have a need to measure all of those things the BT does. I think the BCS will just keep getting better and more powerful. It took me less than an 30mins to hook up 4 SSR, 3 temp probes, and program my first a test brew. I use it in manual mode now because I like being involved in the brew more than let it be automated.
I believe the BCS and the Brewtroller fit into the Assisted Brewing category. Both aspire to be in the One Touch category. This is why the BCS gets some flack for not having volume sensors (working on it)... It was originally designed for Assisted Brewing, not One Touch. IMHO if you are going for One Touch brewing, you're better off with industrial PLCs. These are some complicated systems, and this is exactly what PLCs are designed for. One Touch brewing is a step function in complexity and price for PLCs/sensors/HMI/actuators/safety/etc. The only reason that you wouldn't use a PLC for a One Touch system is price... But if you've already decided to go this route, the price difference is very relative.
One piece of advice for the brewtroller, if I google it, I want to see a simple explanation of what it does. The website sucks.
Also... one piece of advice for the brewtroller, if I google it, I want to see a simple explanation of what it does. The website sucks.
Also... one piece of advice for the brewtroller, if I google it, I want to see a simple explanation of what it does. The website sucks.
I'm just a guy that loves electronics and to brew beer.
eccsynd,
right now i'm looking to just monitor temps. I want to monitor strike/sparge water, while monitoring my mash (soon to be RIM). I am also looking at monitoring the outlet pump temp as a 3rd item. Right now i am not looking to automate, but 6 months ago i wasnt going to go with a RIMs system either . Would the BCS be good for this application - Monitoring with the possibility of minor control later? Also, i am not a programmer. is there soem woftware that i can download for free or slightly tweak?
never got a response on this. do the built in PIDs have their own logic?
BCS 460 NIB never wired or energized i'll let go below $187 it cost me.
PM if interested and talk as spinal surgeries have stopped life and any
future brewing build ideas and project.
Manual Mode
The best place to start with BCS programming is Manual Mode. Manual Mode gives a straightforward input method to control the outputs. But first, visit System Settings to give Outputs and Temp Inputs identifiable names.
Enter into Manual Mode by clicking the appropriate box in the Run/Stop Processes sidebar. This will enable Manual Mode, noted by the green 'Running' light, and bring the Manual Mode menu into view.
Each output has a unique set of parameters. There are four different ways that the BCS can control an output in a state.
All settings must be saved via the "Apply" button for them to take effect. Manual Mode is also great for initially setting up the system to verify I/O connections, or to finish up miscellaneous tasks that aren't programmed as processes.
- Direct - Directly force and output ON or OFF.
- Duty Cycle - Set the duty cycle percent ON over a programmable period. See Output PWM Control
- Differential - Control the output by associating it with a temperature input and hold the temperature within a defined temperature window (swing).
- PID - Proportional Integral Derivative controller, also associated with a temperature input. See PID Implementation
kegtoe, sounds like you want to use Manual Mode. Its the most straight forward way to enter parameters into the BCS. Just follow the instructions below, you can type in a temperature setpoint and hit Apply, and that's about all there is to it. This will allow you to do the work of multiple PIDs, and also give you more future automation options.
QUOTE]
If you can't see the guages, you likely are using IE. You need to either use Firefox for it or use IE9. It uses HTML5 to render the guages, so some browsers don't work.this isnt much help. i tried this thing like 4 or 5 times the last several months. i dont even see the guages or how to change them from text to guage.
What web browser are you running? The gauges won't show in Internet Explorer. You need to be running another browser like Firefox for them to appear.i dont even see the guages or how to change them from text to guage.
Manual mode just lets you directly control the outputs without programming the processes (timers, exit conditions, etc.). The only options available in manual mode (for the devices setup in the system settings) are on and off, and if you want to maintain temps, how (differential, duty cycle, or PID). Are you not seeing the devices at all or are you not able to control them? How do you have your RIMS heater hooked up to the BCS?I'm not sure what the point of manual mode is. I cant seem to force it to do anything. Like i said all i want to do is control a RIMs heater and monitor 3 other fields. I set up my inputs and output but now what? Manual mode dosnt give me any options.
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