NEW StrangeBrew Elsinore Thread

Great work. With out all your work I wouldn't have this great beer on draft. I tip this ever repeatable pale ale to you and all your work. If you are ever in Indiana PM me I got the first few rounds

 

I agree great work!! A fresh install appears to have taken care of my issues. I am thinking my SD card may need replaced.

Can't wait to start brewing with this setup!!

 

There were a lot of fixes in the latest merge which probably fixed the issue. Your SD card is most likely fine.

 

Everything appears to be working great, with the exception of adding a Switch. I enter a name, Wort Pump, and GPIO24 and when i click the add button nothing happens. I am editing from Chrome on my desktop PC.

Code:

[email protected]:/# cd DustEd
[email protected]:/DustEd# sudo ./launch.sh
Starting Elsinore as root
Mar 11, 2015 12:47:01 AM com.sb.elsinore.LaunchControl main
INFO: Running Brewery Controller.
Mar 11, 2015 12:47:04 AM com.sb.elsinore.LaunchControl readConfig
INFO: CFG IS NULL
Mar 11, 2015 12:47:04 AM com.sb.elsinore.LaunchControl enableRecorder
INFO: Enabling the recorder
Mar 11, 2015 12:47:04 AM com.sb.elsinore.LaunchControl parseXMLSections
INFO: Checking section general
Mar 11, 2015 12:47:04 AM com.sb.elsinore.LaunchControl parseXMLSections
INFO: Checking section switches
Mar 11, 2015 12:47:04 AM com.sb.elsinore.LaunchControl parseXMLSections
INFO: Checking section phSensors
Mar 11, 2015 12:47:04 AM com.sb.elsinore.LaunchControl parseXMLSections
INFO: Checking section device
Mar 11, 2015 12:47:04 AM com.sb.elsinore.LaunchControl parseDevice
INFO: Parsing XML Device: Case
Mar 11, 2015 12:47:04 AM com.sb.elsinore.LaunchControl parseDevice
INFO: Not enough volume data points, 0 found
Mar 11, 2015 12:47:04 AM com.sb.elsinore.Temp <init>
INFO: Adding28-0000065c21ea
Mar 11, 2015 12:47:04 AM com.sb.elsinore.Temp <init>
INFO: 28-0000065c21ea added.
Mar 11, 2015 12:47:04 AM com.sb.elsinore.LaunchControl startDevice
INFO: Adding Case GPIO is (null)
Mar 11, 2015 12:47:04 AM com.sb.elsinore.Temp setScale
WARNING: Cut off is: -999
Mar 11, 2015 12:47:04 AM com.sb.elsinore.Temp setScale
WARNING: Cut off is now: -999
Mar 11, 2015 12:47:04 AM com.sb.elsinore.LaunchControl <init>
INFO: CONFIG READ COMPLETED***********
Mar 11, 2015 12:47:04 AM com.sb.elsinore.BrewServer <init>
INFO: Launching on port 8080
Mar 11, 2015 12:47:04 AM com.sb.elsinore.BrewServer <init>
INFO: Enabled logging at level:WARNING
Warning: NLS unused message: CHANGE_SCALE in: com.sb.elsinore.nls.messages
Warning: NLS unused message: DUTY in: com.sb.elsinore.nls.messages
Warning: NLS unused message: CALIBRATION in: com.sb.elsinore.nls.messages
Warning: NLS unused message: HIDE in: com.sb.elsinore.nls.messages
Warning: NLS unused message: SHOW in: com.sb.elsinore.nls.messages
Warning: NLS unused message: INVERT_COOL in: com.sb.elsinore.nls.messages
Warning: NLS unused message: INVERT_HEAT in: com.sb.elsinore.nls.messages
Warning: NLS unused message: INVERT_GPIO in: com.sb.elsinore.nls.messages
Warning: NLS unused message: UPDATE_GRAVITY in: com.sb.elsinore.nls.messages
Warning: NLS unused message: DESCRIPTION in: com.sb.elsinore.nls.messages
Warning: NLS unused message: TARGET in: com.sb.elsinore.nls.messages

 

Fixed, I had tested timers. But not the alarms.

 

How do i get the update? Clicking the "Check for Updates" button in the WebUI returns "No updates available!"

 

Do you get anything in the system output? I just tested it here and it seemed to work fine. There may be a sync issue with mirrors so try again incase it works now?

 

Tried it again just now and still get the "No update available" message. I will try a fresh pull and see if that fixes it. Is anyone else reporting this issue with adding pumps/switches?

 

Fresh install of Elsinore and still not able to add a switch. I give it a name, Wort Pump and GPIO24 and click the Add button and nothing happens. I do not see anything on the server either. I do not have anything connected to the GPIO a this time as i am just testing the setup, would that not allow me to add a switch?

I am doing this all in Chrome, v 40.0.2214.115 m, on my Win7 desktop. I have JRE 7 installed on the pi, running the latest distro of Raspbian on a Pi B.

This is not a big deal as i can run my pumps manually via the control panel.

 

Totally my fault, I pushed to the wrong branch, try an update now.

 

That did it!

 

I'm planning to upgrade my 3-keggle, 2-pump system from propane to electric, and this has me intrigued. I already have a spare Pi 2 sitting around with no purpose in life, so why not make it into a brew controller? I'd like to use a 240V 5500A heat stick for the HLT and MLT and a 120V 1500W element in a RIMS tube.

I'm not an electrical wiz, so my main question is about the control panel and its design. I've seen lots of nice diagrams from P-J and others in other forum threads, but not much here. I understand that this is a more advanced hacking thread, but I was wondering if there were any diagrams/schematics out there for a Pi build. If not, would anyone be willing to sanity check drawings that I might be able to cobble together from others' work? I'm just trying to avoid burning down my house...

Cheers, everyone!

 

There's a basic wiring diagram (which is also in the first page) here: http://dougedey.github.io/2014/03/22/RaspberryPi-Setup/

 

I used the Electric Brewing Supply DIY kit for a 30A BCS (controller) kit and adapted it for the Pi.
http://www.ebrewsupply.com/bcs/diy-basic-kits/bcs22-30a-kit.html

Link to their wiring diagram:
https://ebrewsupply.s3.amazonaws.com/schematics/30a-2E-BCS-Kit-2014.pdf

It won't handle the RIMS, but it should be able to be integrated.

I used one of these for the IO to Pi:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Raspberry-P...506?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e95862d62

 

I wanted to share this to other Pi and BBB users, I was struggling to find a DIN rail mount for the Pi, and ended up figuring out that I could make my own with some left over parts.

Need:
(2) DIN rail terminal blocks (like these:http://www.ebrewsupply.com/shop/internal-hardware/terminal-blocks/din-rail-term-block.html)
(2) 1/8" fine thread screws (I re-used some toggle bolts), I had to cut them down to a little over 1" long
(1) Pi case with mounting holes on the back

Tighten the terminal block so that the screw insert is all the way up. Insert the screw through the Pi case mounting holes, and tighten in the terminal block screw insert. Repeat for other side, make sure the rail release is on the same side that that it it easy to remove from the DIN rail if you ever need to.

Pics below, I hope others find this useful.

Cheers!
Dan

 

Thanks for pointing me to Electric Brewing Supply; this kit and schematic should fit perfectly, as it can control 2 240V elements and one 120V element, 2 at a time. I guess that it will be fairly easy to modify the wiring for a Pi 2 versus a BCS.

http://www.ebrewsupply.com/bcs/diy-basic-kits/bcs-50a-3-elements-kit.html

I already bought a breakout board for the Pi since it seemed like an easy way to add wire terminals to the device.

Thanks again for your help!

 

Did we lose the graphing capabilities on the latest update? I swear it was there a few days ago...

 

Did you check the box in the upper right corner of the screen, in edit mode? I believe it is not enabled by default.

 

Doh! Thanks, was it a default on for each temp before?

 

I am not sure, i just started really playing with getting this set up dialed in for my system.

 

There was an issue with the old settings that caused the graphing to be inconsistent, this has been fixed and required the setting to be re-enabled, let me know if there are any issues going forward.

 

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1426248111.888646.jpg View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1426248132.271970.jpg View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1426248148.924472.jpg
Hi doug
Im just putting the finishing touches to my control panel will post some pics when im done. I thoughht with all the recent updates i would do a clean install last night as recommended in one of your recent posts. Im having a problem. When i first clone the code and start up elsinore it looks as it should all sensors etc detected. As soon as i try to add the first pid it crashes and gets stuck at the screen i have posted. Ive tried all the usual browsers and it doesnt seem to make any difference. Ive also taken a pic of what is showing on the terminal when i try and add a pid. Thanks for all your continued development im not far away from my first strangebrew brew !
Cheeers
Mike


Sent from my iPad using Home Brew

 

Here's an idea for the software: Add support for an external switch/button to be used as a trigger.

My use case is this: My Raspberry Pi is headless and stays within a couple of feet of my pump, rims tube, etc. The desktop running the web interface is about 20 feet away. During the brew there are times I need to turn off the pump (and if the pump is off, I need to make sure the rims tube heater is off). My current setup requires me to walk to the computer and click the onscreen button, or unplug the pump and heater.

It'd be nice to be able to push a momentary contact button to tell Elsinore to turn off the pump and rims tube heater. Then when I'm ready to turn the pump back on, I can choose between pushing the physical button, or the onscreen buttons.

These switches could be used in a number of ways:

- Soft Emergency Stop (i.e. turns off all pumps, heaters, etc) (For safety you'll probably want a hardware e-stop)
- Start/pause a timer
- Start/stop PID, pumps, etc.

 

In my panel I have the pumps setup on a three way switch. AUTO ON MANUAL. Manual allows me to turn the pump on and off with the switch, auto allows me to switch the pumps using the Pi and a Sainsmart relay board.

I guess you could do the same with a two way switch wired between the relay and the pump outlet. Then you could have the pump on via the Pi interface and use the switch to turn it off. You could even wire and e stop in place of the switch.

 

I have a 3 way switch for both pumps on my control panel with Auto / Off / Manual On that outputs to the SSR that controls the pumps. For the manual on, I had to provide a 5vdc power supply to drive the SSR on.

If your Pi is on the wifi network you could access it through a tablet or phone.

 

For some reason the pics i attached on the ipad app didnt appear ill try again!
Re crashing after a fresh install

 

These are warnings, they aren't "crashing" Elsinore.

When it's in this state browse to the "/getstatus" page (instead of "/controller") and please provide the output.

Also, please check the console and see if any errors pop up.

I suspect this is a safari specific issue. But I'm not about to buy an iPad/Mac/new box to test it...

 

OK, fixed this issue, basically you weren't naming your probes so the system hid them automatically. I've changed it to only hide probes that are specifically hidden.

 

How is everyone connecting their probes to the kettles? My original design (based off TheElectricBrewery) had stainless RTD probes in-line with the flow of liquid.

Given the less sanitary nature, lower temp rating (both probe + heat-shrink tubing) and no easy in-line method of DS18B20, is everyone just using stainless thermowells? It'll add a slight increase in temperature reaction time, but with the cost of these probes and the tweaking of PID values it should be a moot point.

Cheers!

 

For my RIMS tube, I coated the 18B20 in thermal grease and put it in a thermowell like this:

https://www.brewhardware.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Thermowell

I also use a couple of these thrown into the hot liquor tank and the boil kettle:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KUNKR3M/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

I use DS18B20 Tank sensors from ebay. http://www.ebay.ca/sch/i.html?_from...&_nkw=ds18b20+tank+sensor&ghostText=&_sacat=0

 

hi doug thanks for your reply


Ive been playing with it all weekend and have failed to get it working
previously i had elsinore running beautifully on windows pc with three different browsers (chrome was smoothest) and on my iphone and ipad
only when i flashed a new sd card with raspian and a fresh install of elsinore have i run into problems. could it be raspian has been updated recently ?? and is causing issue ??

anyway with a fresh elsinore install all looks as it should do when i first fire it up ie temperatures visible everything looks as it should etc. when i go to name my first pid and hit "update" the screen turns into the one i have posted with the "12 and 4" in the temp boxes all 5 of them. the pid's dont work although i can name all 5 of my probes no problems. the switches still work fine as do the timers. the lock button disappears. no matter what i do i cant get all the functionality back. it seems locked in this "12 4 state" the get status page shows the temps are still being read by elsinore with no problems as far as i can tell. have tried every combo of computer browser they are all the same

i have posted to try and assist 1) picture of what i see on the browser screen (all the other probes are there and named when i scroll down) 2) the get status page when elsinore is in this "12 4" state 3) the code that is occurring on the terminal when i try to namethe first pid after a fresh install and hit update ie that is the moment the problem occurs (its split into 2 screen shots)

hope this helps and makes sense

no doubt being a novice ill be doing something daft but cant figure it

cheers

mike

 

I have a suspicion that these messages aren't the cause of your problem. My system also got errors about lshw, but it seemed to work fine in spite of these errors.

If you're using a Raspberry Pi, you should be able to eliminate the lshw messages by running: sudo apt-get install lshw

 

I suspect that the slashes are causing an issue. I'll check sometime this week

 

when i first load my browser i also get that 12 4 on the temp probes... but once the page fully loads my temps fill in properly... do your temps stay with 12 4?

 

I've been playing around with my Hosehead2 running Strangebrew Elsinore and I have a couple of questions:
1) On the HLT, I set the Temp to desired. But what should be my duty cycle?
2) On the Boil Kettle, How should I run it? I'm guessing manual but what should I use for duty cycle and time? I believe the cycle will be lowered as I reach boil?

Also, I'm using Blichmann BoilCoils and they specify 0.0068*watts/Gallons for the expected rise in temperature of the water/wort. Is 60 seconds / by the answer to the formula what I should use for P?
Thanks.

 

Thanks folks ill add the lshw and see if it helps but as you say and from what ive read about that bit of code it doesnt seem likely culprit. Pete - i know what you mean the 12/4 screen did used to flash up (blink and youd miss it) when elsinore was loading and then the normal screen would appear. It just seems to be getting stuck at the 12/4 point. Cheers doug for you patience i admire your skill at writing something so impressive !
Got 25 kg of malt arriving tomorrow and a load of hops in the freezer ! First elsinore brew sitting on the sofa is not far away !

Mike


Sent from my iPad using Home Brew

 

The only way to get real debug info is if you can pull up the javascript console in your browser, normally ctrl+shift+i, then expand any errors (except the messages_* ones)

 

Thanks for the replies regarding the temp probes. ~257F being the max on DS18B20 shouldn't be an issue with max wort temp being ~212F.

Thermowell + thermal grease sounds like a good option, just need a way to secure it in there. Some thermal grease is adhesive and will hold, but then that thermowell is toast if the $3 sensor ever died. I can't find any threaded DS18B20 style sensors, maybe thermowell with some type of cable retention could do the trick.

Cheers!

 

I used the 6" thermowells from Duda Diesel with 1/2" male NPT threads and a cable retention. I screwed these into a camlock (type E, I think) which makes it really easy to remove the thermowell for cleaning my kettle.

I don't have any pics, but I could take some if you're interested.