Hmm, I wonder if I still have my 68HC705 prototyping board. I bet I could build a pretty nice brewery controller with that.
I am curious as to what the appeal is for the Arduino platform, it seems to be very limited in what it could do versus the expectations that I see put forward. Other platforms are out there with much greater capability that I am curious why all the time is spent trying to make such a limited platform into a brew controller that ends up having reliability and software issues. With other platforms and interface boards out there that are capable of supporting higher level programming languages and operating systems, I wonder why the Arduino platform is used.
With an ARM 9 platform, I2C interface boards, and Java for the programming language you could build a much more advanced controller with the same time investment, and have something that can be expanded.
Dude, we're brewing beer not robots.
For the simple brewing systems the Atmel platform is sufficient, for my needs it was not even a contender. When you need to have analog outputs for proportional flow control, deal with, industry standard sensors, RTD's, thermocouples, and over 60 control points, the Atmel just is not enough.
Speak for yourself... I want my brewery to have the ability to take over the world. haha. Hmm... I was looking for a brewery name... maybe it should be skynet brewery. Haha
Got my arduino yesterday, going to start messing with it as soon as I figure out the new brewstand.
I started out with a 7.5 gallon enamel ware pot, 5 gallon gott cooler with screen wire tube, and a 5 gallon plastic bucket for sparge water. Made some competition winning beers with that lash up, but was not thrilled lifting 4 gallons of 180 degree water over my head to set on the top of a unistrut stand. Moved up to the first flash boiler/steam RIMS system with 10 gallon mash tun and 15 gallon SS pot over home made burner. Made some competition winning beers with that lash up for a couple years. Then while on the first long road trip in Arizona, I designed the automated system and began purchasing the components. Finally was home long enough in 2008 to have the brew shed built, fabricate and wire the system, and have my son build a Java application for manual control and teach me enough SQL programming that I was able to continue to learn Java programming and expand the application and needed tables. After reaching a point where the application was large enough that the graphic screens for touch control became a problem in Java, I rebuilt the application in C# and added additional features like water chemistry and mash PH calculation. With plenty of time to spend designing and programming to burn down time, it has been interesting to see what I can add to the application and brew system.
I started out with a 7.5 gallon enamel ware pot, 5 gallon gott cooler with screen wire tube, and a 5 gallon plastic bucket for sparge water. Made some competition winning beers with that lash up, but was not thrilled lifting 4 gallons of 180 degree water over my head to set on the top of a unistrut stand. Moved up to the first flash boiler/steam RIMS system with 10 gallon mash tun and 15 gallon SS pot over home made burner. Made some competition winning beers with that lash up for a couple years. Then while on the first long road trip in Arizona, I designed the automated system and began purchasing the components. Finally was home long enough in 2008 to have the brew shed built, fabricate and wire the system, and have my son build a Java application for manual control and teach me enough SQL programming that I was able to continue to learn Java programming and expand the application and needed tables. After reaching a point where the application was large enough that the graphic screens for touch control became a problem in Java, I rebuilt the application in C# and added additional features like water chemistry and mash PH calculation. With plenty of time to spend designing and programming to burn down time, it has been interesting to see what I can add to the application and brew system.
Has anyone considered that at a certain point, you are not brewing anymore? Not to say this is a bad thing. In fact, when the Feds come and shut you down for brewing over your limit, you can just blame the equipment!
"I didn't do it!"
'I have never been a big fan of writing in c#, but I took to c++ easier so that is probably why.'
well if you like C++ why not just use COBOL?
As far as I can tell there is nothing between the Brewtroller & BCS 460 and a full blown PLC control system for home brewers, and no integrated brewing control applications, kind of like a bicycle versus a car with nothing in between.
We all get it now...
cobolstinks said:'I have never been a big fan of writing in c#, but I took to c++ easier so that is probably why.'
well if you like C++ why not just use COBOL?
Anyone have any projects going on using an arduino board to control their brewery? I currently use a BCS-460 but a) want to mess with arduino and b) want more control/need more outputs.
My goal:
-Control 4 solenoid valves (up to a total of 7 later)
-Control 3 heating elements
-Control 1 pump (maybe 2 pumps)
-Maybe some other gadgets as I find them
-ipad interface
-wifi / networked interface
I think my dream would be to repurpose my old ipad as the sole controller for the brewery and have it docked and controlling everything.
Anyone try any aspect of this? Thanks
Here is my google code project (not much right now)
brewduino - This project is a DotNet MicroFramework project that will read temperature sensors for homebrewing - Google Project Hosting
val1 = aI0.Read();
val2 = aI1.Read();
val3 = aI2.Read();
val4 = aI3.Read();
so correct me if i am wrong. You have your PC attached to your Arduino board. My question is how can this be done with a PC or Laptop and software? I do not want to make science projects and hooking up Pi's and Arduinos and bread boards i want to automate my system and make beer can some one help.
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