Brewometer kickstarter thoughts - digital bluetooth hydrometer

[jimmayhugh]

Why Tilt? What a horrible name. Brewometer was perfect.

I suppose "Bob" was already taken.

 

[jimmayhugh]

Well, my "Otterly Mosaic" Maris Otter/Mosaic SMaSH stopped bubbling a day or so ago, so I thought it was time for an update.

My OG from my eDrometer (which I trust implicitly, as I loaned it to a brewmaster friend of mine and he said it was spot-on) was 1.0895.

When I threw in the Tilt, and let it sit, my initial reading from it came in at 1.074, quite a difference.

I decided to let nature take its course, and see what happened.

The Tilt today is showing a SG of 1.042, way higher than I expected.

I took a sample from the sanke fermenter and ran it through the eDrometer. SG of 1.0423, so pretty much the same. :rockin:

This is not where I expected it to be. I tasted the sample, and it's pretty good, very full bodied, nicely bitter, and by my eDrometer calculations, about 6.3% ABV.

This was my first time using Maillard Malts Maris Otter liquid extract, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. It's possible that there's a lot of unfermentable sugars in there, which would explain the high SG.

Or it could be a stuck fermentation.

I've swirled the sanke to try to rouse the yeast. If that has no result, I'll drop in a packet or two of WLP001 (I used 2 packets of WLP090 in a 3 liter starter initially).

The only other thing that was odd was the battery power too a sudden dramatic drop at one point:

So far, I'm please with the Tilt. I'll be even happier when they release the Raspberry Pi app.

 

[rlightner]

So I've been loving my Brewometer (I'll keep with that name for now) and got it integrated into my personal homebrew site: http://rainesworld.beer, I'm brewing with a Grainfather and a chest freezer run by a BrewPi.

I created a site to mimic my personal site so other people with Brewometers could share what the were Brewing. I'm looking for feedback, you know how it goes I threw it together over a couple weekends, currently you can upload a BeerXML file and and create a link for the Brewometer app to post the data to.

http://brewstat.us

-Raine

 

[HLSheppard]

I've used mine for maybe five batches thus far. Overall, I think it's a great tool and I have been very happy with it. I have noticed that the range seems to have gotten much shorter lately. I replaced the battery but no change. I also notice that it used to update every few seconds (within the app). Now, it updates once (maybe twice) and then it won't update again until I close and re-open the app.

Anyone else experience this?

 

[enkamania]

So I've been loving my Brewometer (I'll keep with that name for now) and got it integrated into my personal homebrew site: http://rainesworld.beer, I'm brewing with a Grainfather and a chest freezer run by a BrewPi.

I created a site to mimic my personal site so other people with Brewometers could share what the were Brewing. I'm looking for feedback, you know how it goes I threw it together over a couple weekends, currently you can upload a BeerXML file and and create a link for the Brewometer app to post the data to.

http://brewstat.us

-Raine

Sounds fun, not brewing for a couple of weeks, but I'll try and remember to set this up.

 

[thekraken]

So I've been loving my Brewometer (I'll keep with that name for now) and got it integrated into my personal homebrew site: http://rainesworld.beer, I'm brewing with a Grainfather and a chest freezer run by a BrewPi.

I created a site to mimic my personal site so other people with Brewometers could share what the were Brewing. I'm looking for feedback, you know how it goes I threw it together over a couple weekends, currently you can upload a BeerXML file and and create a link for the Brewometer app to post the data to.

http://brewstat.us

-Raine

Whoa! This is nice, I like this a lot. Did you write this interface your self?

 

[rlightner]

Whoa! This is nice, I like this a lot. Did you write this interface your self?

Yes, I'm using a UI framework called Semantic-UI though, kinda like Bootstrap

 

[thekraken]

Yes, I'm using a UI framework called Semantic-UI though, kinda like Bootstrap

Any chance we could see the code?

 

[rlightner]

Any chance we could see the code?

semantic-ui.com

 

[thekraken]

semantic-ui.com

What I meant to ask was are you going to open source your app?

 

[rlightner]

What I meant to ask was are you going to open source your app?

Ah, gotcha, not at this time. I'm planning on adding BrewPi support, and list of other things, exporting data, embedding, etc.

There's a share feature as well

http://brewstat.us/share/1/crocktoberfest-marzen-2016

-Raine

 

[thekraken]

Ah, gotcha, not at this time. I'm planning on adding BrewPi support, and list of other things, exporting data, embedding, etc.

There's a share feature as well

http://brewstat.us/share/1/crocktoberfest-marzen-2016

-Raine

Looking forward to it.

 

[rlightner]

If you end up using and see a feature that's missing, I'd love feedback

 

[thekraken]

If you end up using and see a feature that's missing, I'd love feedback

You should start your self a BrewStat thread.

 

[boat_eggs]

I've used mine for maybe five batches thus far. Overall, I think it's a great tool and I have been very happy with it. I have noticed that the range seems to have gotten much shorter lately. I replaced the battery but no change. I also notice that it used to update every few seconds (within the app). Now, it updates once (maybe twice) and then it won't update again until I close and re-open the app.

Anyone else experience this?

Android by chance?

are you using android or iOS? on android I had to exit the app, turn bluetooth off, back on and reload the app regain a connection. everytime. I now have a stupid iPad mini that "just works" :smack:

 

[HLSheppard]

Android by chance?

Yes indeed.

 

[doug293cz]

I've used mine for maybe five batches thus far. Overall, I think it's a great tool and I have been very happy with it. I have noticed that the range seems to have gotten much shorter lately. I replaced the battery but no change. I also notice that it used to update every few seconds (within the app). Now, it updates once (maybe twice) and then it won't update again until I close and re-open the app.

Anyone else experience this?

I bought a cheap Android tablet (Astro Tab A737) that claims Bluetooth 4.0 compaibility, but it behaves a lot like what you describe. It's pretty much unusable. However, when I use my LG G2 phone (also Android) I have no problems. But, I can't tie up my phone just for this app.

Brew on

 

[HLSheppard]

I bought a cheap Android tablet (Astro Tab A737) that claims Bluetooth 4.0 compaibility, but it behaves a lot like what you describe. It's pretty much unusable. However, when I use my LG G2 phone (also Android) I have no problems. But, I can't tie up my phone just for this app.

Brew on

I'm not actually talking about logging the data (I tried an older, rooted Kindle for this and had the exact same problem you describe).

I talking about just checking on progress (once or twice per day) with my Nexus 6p. It worked flawlessly when the Brewometer/Tilt was new. Now - not so much.

I reached out to the developers who just said to make sure my phone was updated (it always is) and that I should delete and reinstall the app (been there, done that). Didn't see much improvement.

Oh well, first world problem...

 

[LBussy]

Is this the same device that's in it?

If so, or even if not, these are arduino-compatible, have battery power, BLE, temp and an accelerometer. A smart person could use these as an open-source approach. They run ~$30 right now.

 

[doug293cz]

Is this the same device that's in it?

If so, or even if not, these are arduino-compatible, have battery power, BLE, temp and an accelerometer. A smart person could use these as an open-source approach. They run ~$30 right now.

Looks just like what is in mine, although not all the component markings are the same.

Brew on

 

[user 204491]

Yeah, it's a LightBlue Bean. I think that got brought up somewhere in the previous 62 pages.

 

[LBussy]

Yeah, it's a LightBlue Bean. I think that got brought up somewhere in the previous 62 pages.

I thought it might have been, but as you say there's more than a couple pages here.

 

[jimmayhugh]

A smart person could use these as an open-source approach. They run ~$30 right now.

I don't claim to be that person, but I just picked up a LBB just for giggles.

Interestingly, their IDE setup seems to support all OSs except Linux .

Oh well...

 

[LBussy]

I don't claim to be that person, but I just picked up a LBB just for giggles.

All that's needed now (physically) is the capsule. Some time spent on Alibaba might bear some fruit.

 

[user 204491]

I think if you're trying to roll you own here you would need the weight mechanism, the adapter for the larger battery, and their algorithm for how they're mapping degrees of tilt to a gravity reading.

 

[BrunDog]

Makes no sense at the cost they sell it for, unless you are doing volume.

 

[jimmayhugh]

I think if you're trying to roll you own here you would need the weight mechanism, the adapter for the larger battery, and their algorithm for how they're mapping degrees of tilt to a gravity reading.

The adapter for the battery and weight could be 3D-printed, the weights could be as simple as small shot. The algorithm would require some experimentation with known SG liquids, and a lot of extrapolation.

It's all doable, the question is it cheaper to get the known-working device, or try to roll your own. Depends on how much you value your spare time.

 

[LBussy]

I think if you're trying to roll you own here you would need the weight mechanism, the adapter for the larger battery, and their algorithm for how they're mapping degrees of tilt to a gravity reading.

The code is already available, however it would have to be modified depending on the case, carrier, battery, weight used, etc.

The stock battery (CR2032) has about 15% of the capacity of the CR123. Not sure if that's enough to make it through one brew or not.

Makes no sense at the cost they sell it for, unless you are doing volume.

It's not about saving money, it's about understanding the device and potentially allowing a greater breadth of platforms with which it can be used. It's just like the BrewPi ... ultimately it's easier and some would say cheaper in the long run to buy one; but people still like to tinker.

The adapter for the battery and weight could be 3D-printed, the weights could be as simple as small shot. The algorithm would require some experimentation with known SG liquids, and a lot of extrapolation.

It's all doable, the question is it cheaper to get the known-working device, or try to roll your own. Depends on how much you value your spare time.

I think the real value here is gaining an understanding of the workings of it in an effort to improve upon the platform.

For instance: What if a guy needs more than eight? First world problem, I know, but people working on this would instantly allow naming them something other than the eight stock colors.

What about the variability in the data? An enterprising person could apply some advanced statistics and smooth out the data coming from the Tilt so that less post-processing is needed. Perhaps even none.

I'm not suggesting taking ANYTHING away from the founders, because it's their idea. People who will tinker, will tinker. Those are not lost sales. Look at Jimmay for instance - he's bought one and is giving back to the "community" by releasing what he knows. Others are doing it as well. The more "makers" attracted to this as a platform the more universal their original (patented) product becomes and the patent owners benefit.

Let's face it: A patent is nice, but becoming the defacto standard is something that you can't pay for. If all this tinkering results in people adopting LBB-based electronics to integrate within their brewery, the guys selling the turnkey solution will always benefit. Again I point at the BrewPi guys who had a product popular enough (even after tinkerers started making them themselves) to attract sales from multiple continents. Popular and profitable enough to upgrade and improve. I think we all hope for the same for the Tilt guys.

What I'd REALLY like to see is the Tilt guys embrace the community with open source and the benefits that can come from community contributions - at least with the device code. There may be reasons why this would be a bad idea with the apps (especially with Apple) but certainly the "firmware" could be open.

Remember: A Patent does not legally prevent one from making that item for one's own personal use.

 

[TorMag]

Ultimately you are trying to copy someone's product which they, hopefully, have some patents protecting this. I assume you are just speculating and not actually thinking about doing it. It seems to me they have been pretty cool to this community and you are starting to head down a slippery slope.

 

[jimmayhugh]

Ultimately you are trying to copy someone's product which they, hopefully, have some patents protecting this. I assume you are just speculating and not actually thinking about doing it. It seems to me they have been pretty cool to this community and you are starting to head down a slippery slope.

I can use their patent in order to improve the device, and if it's a major improvement, I may be able to submit a patent for the improved device. I could use a more sensitive accelerometer, a different cpu, etc. The tilt is made from off-the-shelf parts, with the possible exception of the battery/weight plastic.

There's code out there already that looks like an early version. here's a snippet:

double getAvgPitch(int count) {
  AccelerationReading accel = {0, 0, 0};
  double x = 0;
  double y = 0;
  double z = 0;
  for (int i = 0; i < count; i++) {
    accel = Bean.getAcceleration();
    x += accel.xAxis;
    y += accel.yAxis;
    z += accel.zAxis;
  }

  double pitch = atan(y / sqrt(x * x + z * z)) *  57.3;
  return pitch;
}

double convertPitch(double avgPitch) {
  double sG  = cal[0] * avgPitch * avgPitch * avgPitch + cal[1] * avgPitch * avgPitch + cal[2] * avgPitch + cal[3] + sgOffset - 20;
  return sG;
}

The Tilt guys have done a great job of implementing this device, but nothing would prevent me from using whatever's in the public domain to create my own. Patents only come into play if I try to profit from it.