BruControl: Brewery control & automation software

[BrunDog]

For the UniShield, I’d suggest 22AWG. Terminals can go down to 20 but 22 is readily available, has good ampacity to cover what you noted and had good durability. You can use smaller for sensors, like 28 if you want since they don’t carry current. Ethernet cable is ok but I’d avoid solid conductor in favor of stranded.

 

[clearwaterbrewer]

I like to get OEM automotive grade (TXL/GXL) wire from a place like wirebarn, the stuff is super high quality and great to work with... they have 10-color packs on eBay for a reasonable price... Best $12.50 you ever spent

 

[BrunDog]

Progress on the AD ProOpen PLC. Have the digital outputs working (red LED).

.

 

[clearwaterbrewer]

Progress on the AD ProOpen PLC. Have the digital outputs working (red LED).

.View attachment 710310

I would really like to see the 4-channel 16-bit RTD module working...

 

[clearwaterbrewer]

Agreed. We would still support them with jumpers rather than solder pads if we built them into the board.

Regarding 2/3/4 wire operation, Adafruit in their documentation references programming the actual MAX31865 for the type of RTD

And the datasheet says to write the D4 bit of the configuration register to match the type of RTD...

What is the BruControl implementation doing here?

 

[OBC]

Quick question. I am trying to perform so math in the BruControl scripting. I understand you can only do one function at a time? My hang up is trying to multiply a value with an exponent. Example 5^2=25. This format doesn't seem to work in scripting. What am I missing? In my situation the exponent is variable.

Thanks

 

[BrunDog]

Regarding 2/3/4 wire operation, Adafruit in their documentation references programming the actual MAX31865 for the type of RTD
View attachment 710432
And the datasheet says to write the D4 bit of the configuration register to match the type of RTD...
View attachment 710433
View attachment 710435

What is the BruControl implementation doing here?

Pretty sure 3W but will confirm.

 

[RiverCityBrewer]

Quick question. I am trying to perform so math in the BruControl scripting. I understand you can only do one function at a time? My hang up is trying to multiply a value with an exponent. Example 5^2=25. This format doesn't seem to work in scripting. What am I missing? In my situation the exponent is variable.

Thanks

To my knowledge, exponent functions are not part of the math library in BC. I had a similar need, so I offloaded that math to another platform via the data-exchange.

 

[BrunDog]

Quick question. I am trying to perform so math in the BruControl scripting. I understand you can only do one function at a time? My hang up is trying to multiply a value with an exponent. Example 5^2=25. This format doesn't seem to work in scripting. What am I missing? In my situation the exponent is variable.

Thanks

Good one! I will add exponents to the list. This is easy to do. In the meantime, you gotta do it old school. Here is a script example:

new value base
new value exp
new value result
base = 5
exp = 3
result = base
[exp_loop]
result *=  base
exp -= 1
if exp > 1
goto "exp_loop"
endif
print result
stop "script_name"

 

[oakbarn]

Quick question. I am trying to perform so math in the BruControl scripting. I understand you can only do one function at a time? My hang up is trying to multiply a value with an exponent. Example 5^2=25. This format doesn't seem to work in scripting. What am I missing? In my situation the exponent is variable.

Thanks

You can do it with a variable or global.

If you have a global value type named: Global Squared

script:
// Set Initial Value
"Global Squared" value = 6
"Global Squared" value = "Global Squared" value * "Global Squared" value
// you can the use the "Global Squared" value for what you want to do with the squared value.

You could put this in in own script:

"Global Squared" value = "Global Squared" value * "Global Squared" value

and just open that script if you are doing this multiple times. You can also get the Initial Value different ways.

What do you need this math for? I have not thought of anything that need squaring a number.

 

[OBC]

Good one! I will add exponents to the list. This is easy to do. In the meantime, you gotta do it old school. Here is a script example:

new value base
new value exp
new value result
base = 5
exp = 3
result = base
[exp_loop]
result *=  base
exp -= 1
if exp > 1
goto "exp_loop"
endif
print result
stop "script_name"

Thanks I will give this a try!

 

[OBC]

You can do it with a variable or global.

If you have a global value type named: Global Squared

script:
// Set Initial Value
"Global Squared" value = 6
"Global Squared" value = "Global Squared" value * "Global Squared" value
// you can the use the "Global Squared" value for what you want to do with the squared value.

You could put this in in own script:

"Global Squared" value = "Global Squared" value * "Global Squared" value

and just open that script if you are doing this multiple times. You can also get the Initial Value different ways.

What do you need this math for? I have not thought of anything that need squaring a number.

Setting up some carbonation features in my fermentation control. Real time CO2 vols, pressure calculator and auto spunding/ force carbonation. Takes into consideration barometric pressure and specific gravity.

 

[aeviaanah]

Was the update released?

 

[OBC]

Thanks I will give this a try!

I think this will only work for positive whole numbers. The math function I use in excel for example is EXP(-0.069589422) Where -.069589422 will be a variable but likely always a negative decimal variable.

 

[OBC]

Good one! I will add exponents to the list. This is easy to do. In the meantime, you gotta do it old school. Here is a script example:

new value base
new value exp
new value result
base = 5
exp = 3
result = base
[exp_loop]
result *=  base
exp -= 1
if exp > 1
goto "exp_loop"
endif
print result
stop "script_name"

I think this will only work for positive whole numbers. The math function I use in excel for example is EXP(-0.069589422) Where -.069589422 will be a variable but likely always a negative decimal variable.

 

[BrunDog]

EXP is the base of the natural logarithm (2.718). Either way, a negative non-integer requires a different approach!

 

[OBC]

EXP is the base of the natural logarithm (2.718). Either way, a negative non-integer requires a different approach!

Yes I am aware. My work around would have been to take the constant 2.718^(variable exponent) which like I stated will likely always be a negative non-integer. So I assume this is not possible in BC itself... is there a way to do the math in excel and have the value imported into BC? I guess I'm looking to see what my options are?

 

[OBC]

EXP is the base of the natural logarithm (2.718). Either way, a negative non-integer requires a different approach!

Another question, can you do a square root function in BC?

 

[OBC]

To my knowledge, exponent functions are not part of the math library in BC. I had a similar need, so I offloaded that math to another platform via the data-exchange.

I have never done this, would this be where I could export variables to excel to do the math and then import the value back into BC?

 

[BrunDog]

We'll add it as a math function. Not hard to do.

 

[RiverCityBrewer]

I have never done this, would this be where I could export variables to excel to do the math and then import the value back into BC?

You have the concept, though I don't think Excel is capable of performing the API calls. I use a platform called node-red to pass data back and forth via the data exchange. It requires the Pro license, but it opens up a lot of flexibility. I use it to populate recipe data via a BeerXML file, perform math that BC currently cannot do, bring in unsupported BC devices via Modbus, as well as other miscellaneous tasks.

If you are looking for the carb equation (input CO2 volume desired and temp, returns pressure needed), I have that all worked out in BC with nothing external needed, PM me your email and I'll send you the script for it.

 

[crane]

I have never done this, would this be where I could export variables to excel to do the math and then import the value back into BC?

As mentioned above something like node red would be more practical than using excel. It is not trivial, but you can use something like perl or python to access excel's API through windows COM servers. Python has a module win32com that allows you to launch excel and attach to its API. You would then need some code to get the data in/out of Brucontrol to bridge the gap. That being said I would never go that route, nor would I recommend it.

 

[BrunDog]

I imagine any external app or script could pull values from Globals, do the math, then post the result back to another Global.

 

[crane]

Yeah if you are going the route of writing a script you can do all the math in the script itself.

 

[exoticatom]

You have the concept, though I don't think Excel is capable of performing the API calls. I use a platform called node-red to pass data back and forth via the data exchange. It requires the Pro license, but it opens up a lot of flexibility. I use it to populate recipe data via a BeerXML file, perform math that BC currently cannot do, bring in unsupported BC devices via Modbus, as well as other miscellaneous tasks.

If you are looking for the carb equation (input CO2 volume desired and temp, returns pressure needed), I have that all worked out in BC with nothing external needed, PM me your email and I'll send you the script for it.

Interesting, very interesting. Thank you @RiverCityBrewer .
Any recommendation where to start from 0 with node red?

 

[RiverCityBrewer]

The first step would be getting it installed and familiarizing yourself with the layout and add-on modules. If you have a raspberry pi, it is installed by default and really easy to turn on and play with. If you want to install it on Windows (probably easiest to install it on the same machine as BC), I've attached some instructions on how I did it. This includes the node installations required to get the XML data transfer going.

Cheers,
Joe

 

[clearwaterbrewer]

I am trying to get my PID working correctly for PWM cooling with water flow via a valve, both PID's shown here are default other than Kp being set to 10, and PID 2 being 'reversed'.

Why is there no action on PID2 when the input crosses the target?

Why is it -255, that seems very unorthodox.

How do I get a properly working PID that will have the out put go *on* when the input goes above the target?

https://www.bitchute.com/video/IS9GHXg8onDw/

 

[exoticatom]

@BrunDog Is it safe to upgrade windows to latest Windows 10 - 20H2 in regards to BruControl ?

 

[exoticatom]

The first step would be getting it installed and familiarizing yourself with the layout and add-on modules. If you have a raspberry pi, it is installed by default and really easy to turn on and play with. If you want to install it on Windows (probably easiest to install it on the same machine as BC), I've attached some instructions on how I did it. This includes the node installations required to get the XML data transfer going.

Cheers,
Joe

Thank you. JFYI I had to fight with last 2 commands.

 

[RiverCityBrewer]

What was the issue? I'd like to update the document.