The controller is touch screen and looks really cool, the price is right, and the dude has gotten right back to every annoying question I ask via email. What am I missing here? Why havent I heard much about them?
Is a thermowell less accurate?
I was looking at that too but I don't like the idea of the thermowell temperature sensor. I want a 1/2 npt temp sensor so I can have it in a T fitting
The main problem with thermowells is if they are too short the thermal mass of the nut, threaded adapter etc makes it slow to respond and potentially undershoots. The same is true for any other kind of probe that screws in e.g. RTDs. A long thermowell in the middle of the liquid should respond quickly.
I don't want to be a negative nancy and take away from this guy's business but that's only 4-500 bucks of goodies. Granted, the software is written and it's prebuilt...mostly...but still.
I don't want to be a negative nancy and take away from this guy's business but that's only 4-500 bucks of goodies. Granted, the software is written and it's prebuilt...mostly...but still.
I don't want to be a negative nancy and take away from this guy's business but that's only 4-500 bucks of goodies. Granted, the software is written and it's prebuilt...mostly...but still.
Go ahead and take away some business and build them yourself.
Right on. Product development takes time. There is cost in stocking anything (inventory is frozen cash). Support means time and replacement costs that have to figure in to the original cost of the item.
And, lest it be forgotten, profit is not a sin.
Being the provider of the system, I feel compelled to respond, without making it a commercial for my product.
The system includes shipping, which is no small cost now days. There is inbound shipping on every component and outbound shipping of the complete system. Outbound shipping approaches $50 for some locations. I'd like to see the bill of materials and suppliers for the $400 cost estimate. I'd gladly purchase that option! Even buying in bulk I can't get near that. Looking forward to seeing that.
Relative to profit, I'm working for less than half of minimum wage if I account for all my time. Time to purchase, receive, store, fabricate, assemble, fully test and package. Also there are consumables such as tooling, solder, potting compound, packing materials, etc.
Much time was spent evaluating materials and designing. Not to mention the time spent developing and perfecting the firmware and software. The enclosure is laser cut specifically for this controller. Designing that took days to perfect.
Also, taxes! Profit is taxed, and we all know what a cut that takes out of the bottom line.
More power to those that want to build it themselves. Homebrewers are by design do-it-yourselfers. This system is being provided to allow some to eliminate all the time and mistakes made when building your own.
Hope this didn't cross a line into advertising, it is more of a justification response.
Cheers.
I don't want to be a negative nancy and take away from this guy's business but that's only 4-500 bucks of goodies. Granted, the software is written and it's prebuilt...mostly...but still.
Have you ever written custom firmware and software for a touchscreen based GUI before? Maybe you're a CE or an EE and have, but if you are, I doubt you would be making this kind of comment. I'm not trying to start any fights, but when I saw this system I was very excited to see that the price was so low. If only it didn't require a thermowell
Flyingpole - why aren't you advertising these on here? This market is growing in leaps and bounds and you come out of no where with what seems like a great system. It can't be that pricey to get your name all over HBT.
If I hadn't already dropped so much coin on my eBIAB setup I would have ordered you control box in a heartbeat. It's just so clean!
Just a note that I've tested a weldless connector that allows the temperature sensor to make direct contact with the water/wort. Response to temperature changes is nearly immediate. Cost is a little more, but may solve your concerns.
Cheers
I'm listening. Anymore information on this setup? Also, after checking out your website I'm wondering if there is an option to set more than two hop additions? Not that I wouldn't be able to set my own timer and add extra hops...
I disagree flyingpole, if you can make money on these for what your selling them for there is a market here. I have been brewing for quite some time now and I am usually a DIY guy I just didn't feel like building my own controller, let alone a touch screen controller. Maybe it would be more so for the controller and element here (like I purchased) than the full system, but I think yore underestimating or overestimating this group.
The next release of firmware for the controller will allow multiple hops addition alarms/prompts.
This is the weldless fitting I'm evaluating. Puts the sensor in direct contact with the water/wort, but extends only slightly into the kettle.
https://www.brewershardware.com/WLFM14C14.html
Please contact me via the contact us page on my web site to discuss details.
That one is a work of art as far as machining goes but as a vendor, I don't mind mildly spamming this thread with a cheaper option. I get $18 for the fitting shown at the 3:24 mark in this video and it's every bit as leakfree.
http://youtu.be/lXRj9CVwIfY?t=3m24s
Carry on.
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