Blichmann TOP-Link Software alternative?

[Fabrizio]

With the Blichmann Tower-of-Power, you have two choices for control... push buttons as-needed, or use their MS Windows-only TOP-Link software and RS485-to-USB custom cable.

For those of us running Linux for our fermentation controllers (brewpi in my case), we're SOL in terms of mashing without a windows PC.

Anyone know of another software option to control a Tower-of-Power?

 

[Moose_MI]

I don’t know of other software but have not looked. I’m not optimistic.

Would a Windoze VM work?

 

[Fabrizio]

I don’t know of other software but have not looked. I’m not optimistic.

Would a Windoze VM work?

RS485 linux drivers are not a big deal... figuring out the correct pinout for the 4-pin phone jack on the back of the TOP would be an issue if the blichmann TOP-link cable doesn't work with the linux drivers.

Figuring out the TOP-Link data protocol would be a PITA without a serial analyzer and a windows box to test with.

Was hoping somebody might have done all that already. A nice small and efficient rpi microcontroller velcro'd to the TOP with an api exposed to to get/set values for the TOP would be an ideal situation.

 

[Moose_MI]

 

[Fabrizio]

LOL... This is what happens when "work" intrudes on my brewing.