BruControl: Brewery control & automation software

[CDCTx]

Just an update. I have heard back from BrunDog via my enquiry and my concerns about BruControl and it's development have been resolved and I think I'll be purchasing the UniFlex in the near future.

Great to hear! Thanks for the update

 

[Klooid]

Yes, great update, and thanks for letting us know.

 

[Klooid]

I am setting up a small panel with a ESP32 to run with Firmware v46 for a 2 vessel Fermenter Controller, which will have RTD Temperature Sensors, and therefore, I should be grateful for your guidance on connecting 3 number SSR units to a ESP32 please?

Although I can see from the ESP32 interface wiring map indicates that a SSR should only be connected to a ‘Binary Switch’ without PWM Output (P), the only pin I can see that will matches this requirement is Pin 5, and hence, is there an option I can use to connect additional pins on the ESP32 that will trigger the remaining two SSRs please?

Thanks.

 

[etk29321]

I have no idea where that requirement about pwm capable pins on esp32 comes from. The esp32 is a nice platform because of how flexible it is with configuring the pins as digital, analog, or pwm and in other projects I’ve done I’ve never seen such a limitation. I am about to wire up several SSRs to a esp32 using other pins so perhaps I’ll learn something.

 

[oakbarn]

It may be specific to the BruControl firmware. Odd as a Digital Out is On or Off only.

 

[oakbarn]

Looking at the Interface Wiring Map for a Mega Firmware 46+, there is little difference between Ethernet, Wifi (biggest dif) and Serial, Why not allow a change between interface types and just wipe out those that are different.

For example, switching from Ethernet to Serial really has no effect on any existing pins.

Switching fron Serial to Ethernet may cause issues with PIN 4 only if the Shield has an SD Slot and Pin 10 becomes unavailable.

All the other PINs are the same.

You could set a Warning of the Ports that are different and tell the user they will be deleted and must be recreated if they were used.

I would even like it better if Both Serial and Ethernet were the same and just do away with Pin 10 availability on Serial. and Make Pin 4 D,O and P with a Warning to be Knowlagable if switching from Serial to Ethernet using a card with an SD slot.

 

[Abenaki]

Just an update. I have heard back from BrunDog via my enquiry and my concerns about BruControl and it's development have been resolved and I think I'll be purchasing the UniFlex in the near future.

Good to hear. I'm sure you will be happy with the results after you get past the learning curve. The forum is still active and should be for the foreseeable future, you will find that there are very knowledgeable and helpful folks here. There are various wish lists floating around for improvements, but the system is mature and you can find ways to do anything you need. It is a bargain at this price point.

 

[etk29321]

It may be specific to the BruControl firmware. Odd as a Digital Out is On or Off only.

Yep. Reading the wiring map in more detail I notice a note that PWM is fixed at 1000Hz. That's way too fast for a SSR. You could drive a SSR with PWM at say 1Hz, but since Brucontrol has fixed the frequency to 1000Hz, PWM is off the table. I believe though the way to interpret this is you must configure the pin to be a digital output instead of a PWM output, not that you cannot use a pin that supports PWM.
My guess is this exactly what the "Duty Cycle" output type is -- pin set to digital out and brucontrol is controlling the pin on/off cycle in software.

 

[etk29321]

It may be specific to the BruControl firmware. Odd as a Digital Out is On or Off only.

Yep. Reading the wiring map in more detail I notice a note that PWM is fixed at 1000Hz. That's way too fast for a SSR. You could drive a SSR with PWM at say 1Hz, but since Brucontrol has fixed the frequency to 1000Hz, PWM is off the table. I believe though the way to interpret this is you must configure the pin to be a digital output instead of a PWM output.
My guess is this exactly what the "Duty Cycle" output type is -- pin set to digital out and brucontrol is controlling the pin on/off cycle in software instead of taking advantage of the hardware PWM at a low frequency. Probably due to the PWM using an equal time for both the on and off cycle whereas for duty cycle you want to have each of those be longer or shorter depending on the

 

[oakbarn]

Yep. Reading the wiring map in more detail I notice a note that PWM is fixed at 1000Hz. That's way too fast for a SSR. You could drive a SSR with PWM at say 1Hz, but since Brucontrol has fixed the frequency to 1000Hz, PWM is off the table. I believe though the way to interpret this is you must configure the pin to be a digital output instead of a PWM output.
My guess is this exactly what the "Duty Cycle" output type is -- pin set to digital out and brucontrol is controlling the pin on/off cycle in software instead of taking advantage of the hardware PWM at a low frequency. Probably due to the PWM using an equal time for both the on and off cycle whereas for duty cycle you want to have each of those be longer or shorter depending on the

I have read some things on the adurino forum where you can set the Hz with code.
Be nice to have a "calibration" thing to be able to set the Hz as an interger.

I am still not understanding why a Digital Out has anything to do with Hz PWM.

 

[swimIan]

Duty Cycle element on a D pin with an SSR. You can set the cycle time. The default is 1000 ms. Boiling.

Use PWM Out element on a P pin with an analog amplifier/valve combo or DC pump. Hz property is fixed.

Digital Out element on a D pin. It’s on or off only with a switch/relay to control a AC pump, valve, or other device that won’t be cycled often.

PID element has a “Use PWM” switch. Use it on a D or P pin.You can set the cycle time and other parameters too. Mashing.

 

[exoticatom]

Just an update. I have heard back from BrunDog via my enquiry and my concerns about BruControl and it's development have been resolved and I think I'll be purchasing the UniFlex in the near future.

hey everyone,

Looking forward, but seeing is believing. There hasn't been a software update since 30.07.22, and communication completely stopped by December 2023. Maybe it's just me, but I need a bit more to believe it. It would be absolutely fantastic if development continues. If it's about finding a second round of support, I am available.

I think the software is great, but without attention and development, no product has a future.

 

[Klooid]

Hi All,

I should be grateful once again if you could give me some guidance, please. I have a Windows 10 running Brucontrol Professional - Version 1.1.0 & Firmware v46F, with the Data Exchange (SQL Server 2019 LocalDB) activated with green text.

Therefore, I am trying to connect to an iSpindel, and for some reason I cannot get the ispindel to show any values on the Workspace. Although in my search on the Forum on an iSpindel, I have followed the comments to post https://www.homebrewtalk.com/thread...ontrol-automation-software.624198/post-899485, as well as making sure I have set the Path to: /globals, but still no values showing. I ran ‘ipconfig’ to make sure I had the ip address of the Brucontrol Computer to set in the iSpindel config.

Also, when I read page 112 of the manual the default connection string for a SQL Server 2019 suggest that my <user>/Documents/BruControl/settings.brusettings for accessing this database using SQL Server 2019 LocalDB should be: Data Source=(LocalDB)\MSSQLLocalDB;AttachDbFilename={0};Integrated Security=True. However, when I checked my settings.brusettings I have: <DBConnection i:nil="true" /> which the manual suggest should be related when using an older SQL Server 2012.

Therefore, as suggested on another post, I did delete ‘settings.brusettings’ but ater I re-activated Brucontrol this file still showed <DBConnection i:nil="true" />.

So, I am slightly puzzled and lost on what I need to do, and hence I should be grateful for your input please? Thanks.

 

[Tartan1]

If you haven't already, refer to the "Product Note iSpindel Integration" under Resources Tab on the Brucontrol site it provides you with the naming convention for various Globals you need to create for iSpindel (namely Temp,Gravity,Angle,Battery) . For example Temperature: iSpindelname_t etc.. Possibly this is the problem?

 

[Klooid]

Hi, Thanks for reaching out to me, and yes I have named the Global as ‘iSpindel000_g’ etc as per supplementary product note from Brucontrol, and this is why I am a bit confused as to why I am not seen any data being displayed. Thanks again.

 

[Tartan1]

I have 2 iSpindel's and had a problem with 1 of them holding the configuration as mentioned in step 6 of the product note. For whatever reason even after saving said configuration it would default back to original settings. I would verify that the config you used saved as per instructions. It took me 3 or 4 attempts before it finally saved, just a thought.

 

[Klooid]

Thanks Tartan1, which is much appreciated, and I will go through my configurations steps again.

 

[exoticatom]

Hi All,

I should be grateful once again if you could give me some guidance, please. I have a Windows 10 running Brucontrol Professional - Version 1.1.0 & Firmware v46F, with the Data Exchange (SQL Server 2019 LocalDB) activated with green text.

Therefore, I am trying to connect to an iSpindel, and for some reason I cannot get the ispindel to show any values on the Workspace. Although in my search on the Forum on an iSpindel, I have followed the comments to post https://www.homebrewtalk.com/thread...ontrol-automation-software.624198/post-899485, as well as making sure I have set the Path to: /globals, but still no values showing. I ran ‘ipconfig’ to make sure I had the ip address of the Brucontrol Computer to set in the iSpindel config.

Also, when I read page 112 of the manual the default connection string for a SQL Server 2019 suggest that my <user>/Documents/BruControl/settings.brusettings for accessing this database using SQL Server 2019 LocalDB should be: Data Source=(LocalDB)\MSSQLLocalDB;AttachDbFilename={0};Integrated Security=True. However, when I checked my settings.brusettings I have: <DBConnection i:nil="true" /> which the manual suggest should be related when using an older SQL Server 2012.

Therefore, as suggested on another post, I did delete ‘settings.brusettings’ but ater I re-activated Brucontrol this file still showed <DBConnection i:nil="true" />.

So, I am slightly puzzled and lost on what I need to do, and hence I should be grateful for your input please? Thanks.

Hey,

I've got 4 iSpindel devices connected, even over the internet! I haven't made any changes at the SQL level. The iSpindel firmware needs to be "special" (not the official one) and the ports have to be set up correctly. Just checking—do you have the correct binary flashed?

Some screenshots attached that might help.

I've decided to only use the angle data and handle all calculations in Brucontrol.

 

[Klooid]

Thanks for you input, and especially Tartan1 and Exoticatom towards helping me to setup up the iSpindel to display / connect to Brucontrol.

I have re-tried / re-tested the configuration, as well as configuring a second iSpindel in line with the Product Note as contained within the iSpindel Integration attachments (including firmware) on the Resource section of Brucontrol, but to no avail.

Also, the only difference I can see in my configuration of the iSpindel and Brucontrol, is that I have the Server Address as: 192.168.0.25, which I have taken from the cmd ipconfig address for my computer that runs Brucontrol, whereas Tom has (1st screenshot) a server address ‘zanam.xxxxxch’.

Therefore, am I using the wrong server address, and if so where do I get the correct address please?

Thanks again for your help and an active forum, which is very much appreciated.

 

[Tartan1]

Another step you might try is to eliminate Brucontrol out of the equation altogether for a moment. While in Configuration mode on your iSpindel (192.168.4.1) have a look under the "iSpindel Info" tab and see if you are gathering live information, ie..Temp Gravity etc.. It may take a bit depending on your Update Interval. This will prove if the device is communicating these parameters while connected to WIFI

 

[Klooid]

Hi, I must admit I have checked this out and the iSpindel is displaying all the information that it is supposed to do. Also, I purchased last week a Nautilis iRelay - (ispindel relay - https://www.nautilis.eu/portfolio-item/nautilis-irelay-plus) and the communication between these two works great.

However, it the connection to Brucontrol that is giving me problems, and I do apologise for pestering you all for help, but being at a loss to what I am doing wrong has drawn me into a blank, and hence I am most grateful for your support.

Thanks again.

 

[Tartan1]

The only remaining thought I can offer, is it possible your firewall settings on your Brucontrol computer possibly blocking communications from the iSpindel device to the application? They (firewall settings) may have to be modified ie allow access or disabled for this application?

 

[Klooid]

Yaba Daba Doo! Yes it was the Firewall! As when I disabled the Private Network, this allowed the iSpindel to communicate with Brucontrol. So thanks Tartan1 and everyone for your help on this.

Unfortunately, one more question please regarding the Firewall, is there any guidance on how I can protect my computer with the private firewall on, but still allow iSpindel to communicate with Brucontrol?

Thanks again!

 

[CDCTx]

Yaba Daba Doo! Yes it was the Firewall! As when I disabled the Private Network, this allowed the iSpindel to communicate with Brucontrol. So thanks Tartan1 and everyone for your help on this.

Unfortunately, one more question please regarding the Firewall, is there any guidance on how I can protect my computer with the private firewall on, but still allow iSpindel to communicate with Brucontrol?

Thanks again!

Look into adding programs as firewall exceptions. I believe Defender allows it, but I'm not home to play with it. Here's an article to see if you can have the firewall but allow BC.

https://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-change-windows-firewalls-list-allowed-blocked-apps/

If you have a WiFi router, you could set external firewall protections there and allow LAN connections to play together

 

[Klooid]

Hi, I fund a set of instruction on YouTube to set a TCP (Port 8000) within Window Firewall on the following link:
I found that by setting the TCP to 8000, and giving a name of ‘Brucontrol Data Exchange” allow all the firewalls to be activated, but now allows a connection between the iSpindel and Brucontrol.

So, thanks again for your contribution and helping me out.

 

[FunCat1828]

Just an update. I have heard back from BrunDog via my enquiry and my concerns about BruControl and it's development have been resolved and I think I'll be purchasing the UniFlex in the near future.

So after taking some time to read this entire thread from start to finish and do a little more reflection on what I want to do long term I've decided to go a different route than the UniFlex. I'll be building my own Brucontrol panel(s) instead!

Despite the obvious risks with BrunDog's absence a Brucontrol panel still gives me all that flexibility to move in any direction I want to as I change my brewing.
Initially I'll probably use what I have already available in some capacity, but will likely downsize the bigger vessels to better fit my brewing space in the future. My brewing partners have also moved on from the hobby and I don't need to brew in the same capacity for each recipe as I had originally planned, so I'll probably be looking to make back to back batches in lower volume (10 gallon batches are most likely) in the long term, but I will add far more automation and CIP down the road.

That said this is what I just pulled out of storage:

Current available brewing vessels and hardware:
50 Gal HLT (2 Element)
30 Gal Mash Tun
30 Gal Boil Kettle (2 Elements)
20 Gal E-BIAB Spike kettle (1 element)
4 Chugger Pumps
5 x 5500 Ripple elements
SS Counterflow chiller
Immersion Chiller

Current Panel build items already available ( Still need to inventory all of this):

DIY kit from ebrewsupply for 4 elements and 2 separate 50 amp circuits (see picture).
Various different probes - most I believe are RTD Pt100's
I also have a 24x24x12 panel that is completely unused and I have a 24x20x8 that already has some LED holes and switches already cut.


Decision points:
Some initial thoughts -

• When I deal with the fermentation and cooling side of things that will definitely be a separate panel. So that's not currently part of my consideration as I have sufficient control on that side of things for right now, but it will eventually be brought into BruControl.
• Pretty much starting with a clean slate and can go in any direction. My initial goal with the control panel is to just get brewing again, but I want the initial plan to account for automation and expansion options. I know me and I'll want the automate valves, the flow meters and all that once I finalize on my vessels. Any design considerations that
• Grand Central or MEGA-2560 UniShield? At one point in the thread looked like Grand Central was going to be the way to go, but BrunDog also talked about some optimizations being done that reduced the concerns on the Mega and that we are probably not going to get near it's limits any time soon.
• Power supply recommendations? 24/12/5? Looking to use quality power sources.
• Wire - 20 or 22 AWG? Shielded? Twisted? Any good sources for these? I think I saw an ebay link for automotive wire from I think wire barn in the thread.
• What other components should I look to buy from BrunDog here to make the wiring as clean and easy as possible? These seem like the most likely candidates:
  • https://brucontrol.com/product/analog-amplifier/?attribute_mount=DIN+Carrier
  • https://brucontrol.com/product/rtd-amplifier-platform/?attribute_mount=DIN+Rail+Carrier
  • Anything else I should be looking at? Quadzilla?
• SSR's - I want them DIN Rail mounted if at all possible. Also want more reliable ones than the ones that came in my kit. Any recommendations here? Do proportional SSR's make sense?
• Currently have a 50 amp GFCI circuit in the garage in the new house. With what I have on hand already I think that I should consider designing and wiring for 2 separate circuits to give me access to 4 elements, but plan on using only the current 50 amp circuit initially. Have to find my old schematics out and look to update them from the BCS plan to Brucontrol.
• Already have a quote for the 2nd 50amp circuit but that's a lower priority right now.
• Tilt looks to be well supported from the thread. How about the RAPT Pill from Kegland? Anyone using those or are they not currently supported?

I'm totally open to suggestions from those of you that have been doing this for some time. Ultimately I am looking to build a well designed control panel that gives me the most flexibility in the coming months.

 

[Tartan1]

SSR's - I want them DIN Rail mounted if at all possible. Also want more reliable ones than the ones that came in my kit. Any recommendations here? Do proportional SSR's make sense?

Something to consider is that SSR's get warm and need to dissipate heat. There are DIN mounted heat sinks available for this purpose however a 1 piece good quality large aluminum finned heat sink is best. Also use thermal paste between the 2 surfaces (SSR + Heatsink) I have found the DIN mounted sinks to be not as efficient as 1 long block and if you have to place enough individual sinks they take up a lot of space. As far as proportional SSR's I don't have any in my setup and if the intended use is for elements only then controlling them with with Duty Cycle and PID control work quite well within Brucontrol.

 

[oakbarn]

So after taking some time to read this entire thread from start to finish and do a

• Grand Central or MEGA-2560 UniShield? At one point in the thread looked like Grand Central was going to be the way to go, but BrunDog also talked about some optimizations being done that reduced the concerns on the Mega and that we are probably not going to get near it's limits any time soon.
• Power supply recommendations? 24/12/5? Looking to use quality power sources.
• Wire - 20 or 22 AWG? Shielded? Twisted? Any good sources for these? I think I saw an ebay link for automotive wire from I think wire barn in the thread.
• What other components should I look to buy from BrunDog here to make the wiring as clean and easy as possible? These seem like the most likely candidates:
  • https://brucontrol.com/product/analog-amplifier/?attribute_mount=DIN+Carrier
  • https://brucontrol.com/product/rtd-amplifier-platform/?attribute_mount=DIN+Rail+Carrier
  • Anything else I should be looking at? Quadzilla?
• SSR's - I want them DIN Rail mounted if at all possible. Also want more reliable ones than the ones that came in my kit. Any recommendations here? Do proportional SSR's make sense?
• Currently have a 50 amp GFCI circuit in the garage in the new house. With what I have on hand already I think that I should consider designing and wiring for 2 separate circuits to give me access to 4 elements, but plan on using only the current 50 amp circuit initially. Have to find my old schematics out and look to update them from the BCS plan to Brucontrol.
• Already have a quote for the 2nd 50amp circuit but that's a lower priority right now.
• Tilt looks to be well supported from the thread. How about the RAPT Pill from Kegland? Anyone using those or are they not currently supported?

• MEGA-2560 UniShield. My issue with the grand central is that it is 3.3 v vs the 5 v for the Mega.

• Power supply recommendations? 24/12/5? I use true Meanwell. They should be UE certified and mounted so you can replace them. I have all 3
• 24/12/5

• Wire - 20 or 22 AWG? Shielded? Twisted? Either is quite good.
• One thing you want to consider is how may wires do you need for the end device.
• As an example, a SM6004 Flow meter uses 3 wires (4 if you want the temperature feature).
• A valve can use from 2 to 5 depending.
• How are you going to "ground" the end devices.
• In some cases Shielded and twisted are better, but they never hurt.
• A large roll of wire may be a lot cheaper than a lot of smaller lots.
• I have found that 20/6 is a good all around wire. If I only need 2, then I only use 2 of the wires in the jacket.

• 
  What other components....
• https://brucontrol.com/product/analog-amplifier/?attribute_mount=DIN+Carrier
• You only need this is you want true PID control of a pwm device.
• You would then need a 0-10v Proportinal Controller.
• Generally in brewing on the hot side, you do not need that tight of control for a heating element.
• You might if you were using a proportinal valve.
• https://brucontrol.com/product/rtd-amplifier-platform/?attribute_mount=DIN+Rail+Carrier
• Only if you are going to use RTD probes.
• If you came from the BCS, they need a TF4 https://brucontrol.com/product/thermistor-filter/ to use those 10KNTC probes.
• I use the Quadzilla as an instant HLT where I recycle water from a small HLT through the outer tube of a Chillzilla https://www.thebrewoutlet.com/items/chillzilla-counterflow-wort-chiller
• as a modified HERMS with thw WORT in the inner tube. I can get verry good control of the mash.
• SSR Crydom are good. Any SSR can be DIN Rail mounted, anf you can buy the Rail Mounts on ebay
• https://www.ebay.com/itm/1662646017...UvrOdySUmtQ3ItE6W6xqIq12Y=|tkp:Bk9SR-TNgoqlZA or
• Amazon
• https://www.amazon.com/TIHOOD-Alumi...=heat+sink+mounts+for+ssr,aps,185&sr=8-4&th=1
• Do proportional SSR's make sense? Only if you need tight control. I started that way but soon realized I do not need that tight of control in my brewing. If you were getting into distilling?......
• 50 AMP That should work depending on the wattage of your elements. If they are 5500 watts at 220, then the Amps are 25 Amps. If you use 2, you will be at the max of the Circuit if the two elements were both on at the max power. There is the rule of 80% for continous use, but generally that is defined as 8 hours. Your elements will use much less power once the liquid is heated. The second circuit is a good idea but I would look at 60 amps then you would more in with the 80% rule (outside by 1 amp)
• It might be cheaper to get 2 x 30 Amp circuits. I have 4 x 30 AMPs
• You can wire all 4 elements but use logic in the scripts so that is set one (HLT) is on, set 2(BK) is Off. and if Set 2 (BK) is On, Set 1 (HLT) is off. Just wire were you can seperate them to a new circuit in the future.
• Tilt looks to be well supported from the thread. How about the RAPT Pill from Kegland? I use Tilts (which use the ESP 32). I could not find much on the Web about a RAPT Pill API, but someone wrote a NODE RED to get the data. That could likely be modified to where you could send data to a Global in Bruscontrol.

BruControl is the BCS on steroids. Brundog was a BCS guy before as well as me.

The hardest part is Scripting, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes easier. This forum is a great help for that.

 

[etk29321]

Following up on a discussion a few pages back on which ESP32 pins can be used to drive SSRs (and some other learnings on ESP32 with Brucontrol).

Confirmed that I can use any pin that supports digital out as either a straight digital out or duty cycle. I am wiring 2 SSRs to pins 32&33 without issue.

I am also using serial communication for my interface that is in the same enclosure as the PC running brucontrol and discovered I cannot use GPIO16&17 with serial. I don't see this in the brucontrol documentation, but GPIO 16/17 are serial RX/TX pins. Before I remembered that fact I was seeing instability on the interface anytime the digital out devices I'd configured to those two pins were enabled.

I had also miscounted available digital out pins and after subtracting for unusable pins and pins required if I want to use SPI, onewire, etc there are a total of 10 usable digital output pins (or 6 after I subtract 4 for the chip select out for the SPI RTD probes).

 

[oakbarn]

So after taking some time to read this entire thread from start to finish and do a little more reflection on what I want to do long term I've decided to go a different

In the scematic for a TF3 (now the TF4) it does call for twisted pair to the probe.