BCS Control Panel

Now that I'm going on my stand (https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/finally-brewstand-274025/) I need to get the controls figured out. I searched and searched and can't find what I'm looking for. Does anyone have a link to a thread or document that shows how to wire up a control panel for use with the BCS?? I want to control pumps, honeywell gas valves, monitor temps, etc. I was hoping to find a cheat sheet to kind of go by or follow. This is not an electric brewery, just plain old LP gas. If it was E power I would be dialed!!

Thanks!!!

Jeremiah

Did you go here http://www.embeddedcontrolconcepts.com/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page or http://www.embeddedcontrolconcepts.com/forum/ or http://forum.northernbrewer.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=99984 or https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f170/12x12x6-bcs-460-control-panel-tight-fit-268070/

I been building my BCS for the past few weeks. Its a great controller but the user can make it overwhelming. Start with just monitoring temps then start adding the pumps and valves.

Those are helpful. I'll start reading. Do the 24v furnace gas valves need an SSR or with the BCS do the switching??

The BCS is just a controller and the outputs are 5V and very low current. You will need relays for all your outputs.

Here is a suggestion, http://www.futurlec.com/SSRAC.shtml, this would serve for all the pumps and gas valves.

as i'm sure you have or will read...make sure your control box is oversized. Nothing worse than trying to cram everything in small box. Mine is perfect sized but no where to grow. As mentioned you will need relays for outputs to control pumps and gas valves. Temp probes are direct wired into the BCS controller.

THANK YOU!!!! That looks to be the perfect solution. Nice and clean too!!! In the shopping basket it goes!!

telejunkie said:

as i'm sure you have or will read...make sure your control box is oversized. Nothing worse than trying to cram everything in small box.

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Plus 1 on this suggestion and also the suggestion to read through the wiki. I just finished rebuilding my BCS-460-based system. My original config was way too cramped and I didn't even have a control panel, so everything was controlled via the web interface.

My upgraded version includes a control panel that gives me a bit more flexibility. I don't have a cheat sheet but I have a few pics on my blog that might give you some ideas.

I use my system to control my HERMS, so two heating elements and a pump for a total of three SSR's. My control panel consists of (2) two-way switches for the elements, (1) three-way switch for pump, and a momentary switch that allows me to advance to the next state in a process. The two-way switches are just off-on, so when they're in the "off" position, the elements aren't powered up and when they're in the "on" position they're controlled automatically by the BCS460. The three-way switch for the pump is essentially an auto-off-manual switch. I'd strongly suggest going with these 'cause there may be times that you want to manually run your pumps without running a process.

microbusbrewery said:

The three-way switch for the pump is essentially an auto-off-manual switch. I'd strongly suggest going with these 'cause there may be times that you want to manually run your pumps without running a process.

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P.S. I got all my panel mount switches on ebay...much cheaper than I could find elsewhere. All of them are 22mm panel mount switches and I bought them from a seller by the name of tree kicker. This should link to the items he/she has for sale:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/tree_kicker...296&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&_trksid=p4340.l2562