BCS 460 Tell me all about it.

[ThePig]

Sweet. Where else can you add a can of Bawls Guarana Cherry or Jolt wild grape energy drink for $2.49 to your order?

 

[ScubaSteve]

Their Cocaine prices aren't bad, either.......

 

[The Pol]

Talking to ECC over on the BCS board, I brought up the idea of a "BIG RED MUSHROOM" button function in the BCS control. A virtual panic switch, much like having the physical switch on your system in case of a failure of something.

He said that this has been brought up in the past as well, and thinks that it is still a good idea, so it may make it into the next firmware update.

Just FYI

 

[CodeRage]

Talking to ECC over on the BCS board, I brought up the idea of a "BIG RED MUSHROOM" button function in the BCS control. A virtual panic switch, much like having the physical switch on your system in case of a failure of something.

He said that this has been brought up in the past as well, and thinks that it is still a good idea, so it may make it into the next firmware update.

Just FYI

Not a bad idea but, and this is coming from a PLC guy, there is no substitute for a physical E-STOP.

 

[TimWeber]

Subscribed...

I also just bought the BCS-460 after looking at all of the options. I liked the flexibility of the design as I am going to slowly be adding automation to my brewery, and didnt want to make a new control panel for each feature. I almost went with the Unitronics vision350 and still may in the future, but I couldnt pass up on the cost of the BCS.

Currently I am using the BSC to run a 1500 Watt ULD in my RIMS, and using it to control my sparge water temp while sparging with a heat stick. I am not using both elements at the same time.

I started testing the PID last night, but ran into some problems. Tuning PIDs is a pain and takes a looong time. I did it a few times in my last job.

I am using those cheepo Chineese 25A SSRs and heat sinks.

I would like the digital E-Stop since it provides an additional place to shut down the system. Also, I do not have any switches wired up at all yet, since I am in the "bread board" stage. A digital stop would be great to have.

 

[TimWeber]

I've bought this fan twice. Once for my stir plate, and once for my fermentation chamber.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Cooling-Fan-AC-...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3efbe03d35

 

[Ohio-Ed]

Talking to ECC over on the BCS board, I brought up the idea of a "BIG RED MUSHROOM" button function in the BCS control. A virtual panic switch, much like having the physical switch on your system in case of a failure of something.

He said that this has been brought up in the past as well, and thinks that it is still a good idea, so it may make it into the next firmware update.

Just FYI

Pol,

I think this could be a handy feature but not really what I have in mind for an E-Stop.
The problem is that the BCS is a network appliance and depends on the connection to your PC to allow you to have any control. If you disconnect the cable, the BCS will continue to do its thing. So if you have an emergency, you are depending on your PC and the network to send a message to the BCS to stop. At minimum there is a lag. Worst case, the communication doesn't happen. Without an e-stop or even a switch on the panel, your only choice is to un-plug the rig.

Of course we all know how reliable Windows is, so maybe this is not a concern

Ed

 

[wh4tig0t]

Pol,

I think this could be a handy feature but not really what I have in mind for an E-Stop.
The problem is that the BCS is a network appliance and depends on the connection to your PC to allow you to have any control. If you disconnect the cable, the BCS will continue to do its thing. So if you have an emergency, you are depending on your PC and the network to send a message to the BCS to stop. At minimum there is a lag. Worst case, the communication doesn't happen. Without an e-stop or even a switch on the panel, your only choice is to un-plug the rig.

Of course we all know how reliable Windows is, so maybe this is not a concern

Ed

you don't have to use windows.

I think a physical big red button feature would be great specifically if it functioned independant of the computer, and I think that's what most people are getting at here.

 

[Ohio-Ed]

you don't have to use windows.

I think a physical big red button feature would be great specifically if it functioned independant of the computer, and I think that's what most people are getting at here.

The message I responded to was where The Pol said he was discussing with ECC adding a button to the BCS Interface.

Talking to ECC over on the BCS board, I brought up the idea of a "BIG RED MUSHROOM" button function in the BCS control. A virtual panic switch, much like having the physical switch on your system in case of a failure of something.

He said that this has been brought up in the past as well, and thinks that it is still a good idea, so it may make it into the next firmware update.

The interface IS Windows. The Pol has said the does not want physical buttons on his rig.

I am suggesting that you should consider a physical E-Stop button.

 

[wh4tig0t]

The message I responded to was where The Pol said he was discussing with ECC adding a button to the BCS Interface.


The interface IS Windows. The Pol has said the does not want physical buttons on his rig.

I am suggesting that you should consider a physical E-Stop button.

SWMBO says I don't listen, at least I'm consistent.

OK I can definitely see the need for both. If I end up using the BCS I will have 3 position auto-off-on switches to control all functions, but i would also like a big red stop/pause button that I could push at the sculpture and not have to go back to the computer with beer covered hands.

 

[JonW]

It would be easy to add a "Big Red Switch" to a BCS-460 panel. Look at the On-Off-Auto switch example below. You can wire the "Big Red Switch" to control the common DC Voltage + powering all your relays. Hitting the switch would interrupt power to all relays and stop everything.

Using On-Off-Auto switches with BCS-460 also gives you override capabilities without having to interrupt your running program.

 

[ThePig]

Great idea JonW, I'm adding that to my build. It's simple, easy to wire and practical.

 

[The Pol]

PODANGUS!

Your inbox is full, wanted to let you know I appreciate the cooling fan!

Pol

 

[podangus]

No problem Pol, I hope it works out for you.
podangus

 

[eccsynd]

The message I responded to was where The Pol said he was discussing with ECC adding a button to the BCS Interface.


The interface IS Windows. The Pol has said the does not want physical buttons on his rig.

I am suggesting that you should consider a physical E-Stop button.

Technically, the interface is HTTP, not Windows. You can use Linux, Mac, smartphone, iPod touch, or any other device that has a web browser. I'm splitting hairs here, I know.. But I don't want the BCS to be associated with Windows stability since its a standalone device. (heck, we don't even support IE).

That being said, I totally agree with you about the physical E-stop. Some people can get by with simply 'unplugging' their rig in case of emergency... But when it gets more complicated than that(220 for instance), you NEED a way to quickly kill the power, with preferably zero points of failure between you and the disconnect.

Manual overrides for outputs are nice to have as well, but not a requirement when you have the BCS interface to manually turn them on/off... But they sure are handy for quickly priming pumps, and cleaning cycles (wet hands).

 

[CodeRage]

That being said, I totally agree with you about the physical E-stop. Some people can get by with simply 'unplugging' their rig in case of emergency... But when it gets more complicated than that(220 for instance), you NEED a way to quickly kill the power, with preferably zero points of failure between you and the disconnect.

I'd like to dis spell the assumed notion that 120V is inherently safer than 240.
There isn't much difference between 240 and 120. It isn't very likely that you would get hooked up across both legs and get the full 240. The most probable case is that you would get attached between one of the legs and ground.

The only real differentiating factor between the two is that there is an additional point of exposure on a 240V system. Even if you are using 120V elements it should be equally respected cause it will put you in the ground just the same. Be safe guys

 

[Ohio-Ed]

Technically, the interface is HTTP, not Windows. You can use Linux, Mac, smartphone, iPod touch, or any other device that has a web browser. I'm splitting hairs here, I know.. But I don't want the BCS to be associated with Windows stability since its a standalone device. (heck, we don't even support IE).

That being said, I totally agree with you about the physical E-stop. Some people can get by with simply 'unplugging' their rig in case of emergency... But when it gets more complicated than that(220 for instance), you NEED a way to quickly kill the power, with preferably zero points of failure between you and the disconnect.

Manual overrides for outputs are nice to have as well, but not a requirement when you have the BCS interface to manually turn them on/off... But they sure are handy for quickly priming pumps, and cleaning cycles (wet hands).

I understand your point and did not mean to imply that the BCS requires Windows.

The original reference to Windows came from a message I posted which basically included a joke about relying on Windows reliability for an E-Stop.

 

[ThePig]

Stability problems are easy to fix with the BCS. Just throw your windoz machine in the garbage, buy a mac and poof! the stability problems dissappear :>) LOL...

 

[The Pol]

Anyone else have a problem ordering at ECC? I tried to buy my stuff today... this is what I get:

PayPal is constantly working to protect our members against fraud. We review every transaction before it is approved, and we may block a payment when we detect a potential risk.

Our reviews take into account every aspect of a transaction, including looking at both parties. These decisions help us maintain the integrity of our payments network in the same way as other payment processors: by declining transactions with an unacceptable level of risk.

While our fraud measures occasionally block a legitimate payment, to maintain overall security, we cannot overturn any decisions about an individual transaction.

If you decide to continue this transaction using a different funding source, please note that the associated risk levels have not been decreased.

I cant even give them my money... crap

 

[Ohio-Ed]

Anyone else have a problem ordering at ECC? I tried to buy my stuff today... this is what I get:

PayPal is constantly working to protect our members against fraud. We review every transaction before it is approved, and we may block a payment when we detect a potential risk.

Our reviews take into account every aspect of a transaction, including looking at both parties. These decisions help us maintain the integrity of our payments network in the same way as other payment processors: by declining transactions with an unacceptable level of risk.

While our fraud measures occasionally block a legitimate payment, to maintain overall security, we cannot overturn any decisions about an individual transaction.

If you decide to continue this transaction using a different funding source, please note that the associated risk levels have not been decreased.

I cant even give them my money... crap

I had no problem...

Sounds like YOU might be the risk

Seriously, no problem like that but, It was a bit odd when I ordered my stuff from ECC... there was no confirmation, order acknowledgment, order number, or anything... The next day, I ended up sending them an email just to make sure they got the order.

Good Luck
Ed

 

[The Pol]

I had no problem...

Sounds like YOU might be the risk

Seriously, no problem like that but, It was a bit odd when I ordered my stuff from ECC... there was no confirmation, order acknowledgment, order number, or anything... The next day, I ended up sending them an email just to make sure they got the order.

Good Luck
Ed

Well, that is unfortunate, I can order from anyone else and pay with PayPal...

 

[Budzu]

Btw you can (and I did) order the BCS from Brewmaster's warehouse. I ordered it with some other stuff and it was shipped seperately from ECC. I didn't have to deal with anyone but BMW. It was Black Friday special so it was a good score.

 

[Ohio-Ed]

Well, that is unfortunate, I can order from anyone else and pay with PayPal...

I'm sure this is just a snafu that they can work out. I saw you posted in the forum at ECC... I think I'd send an email (if you haven't) they may respond a bit quicker.

Ed

 

[The Pol]

I'm sure this is just a snafu that they can work out. I saw you posted in the forum at ECC... I think I'd send an email (if you haven't) they may respond a bit quicker.

Ed

I will try that... thanks... I just want to spend money, they dont want to give me time to think that over!

 

[The Pol]

Btw you can (and I did) order the BCS from Brewmaster's warehouse. I ordered it with some other stuff and it was shipped seperately from ECC. I didn't have to deal with anyone but BMW. It was Black Friday special so it was a good score.

Oh, snap... thanks, to BMW I go!

Thanks bro, I just remembered seeing it there a while back!

 

[Ohio-Ed]

I will try that... thanks... I just want to spend money, they dont want to give me time to think that over!

While you're in that sort of desperate mood... I can sell you my BCS-460, the current price is $1,000,000 (I will try to find another one)

 

[The Pol]

While you're in that sort of desperate mood... I can sell you my BCS-460, the current price is $1,000,000 (I will try to find another one)

I think I will stick with BMW, he has a better price

 

[Ohio-Ed]

I think I will stick with BMW, he has a better price

Yes, but if you buy mine, I'll personally deliver it in my brand new Bentley

I doubt he offers that kind of service.

 

[The Pol]

Yes, but if you buy mine, I'll personally deliver it in my brand new Bentley

I doubt he offers that kind of service.

Ha ha, you accept personal checks? It is ordered.

 

[Ohio-Ed]

Ha ha, you accept personal checks? It is ordered.

Good deal... Did you order the probes too?

I'm interested to hear your opinion of the probe compression fittings. They have a plastic ring that seals around the probe. They look like you should be able to finger tighten them, I was surprised how tight I had to get them to stop them from dripping.