BruControl: Brewery control & automation software

[clearwaterbrewer]

I hooked up another analog input (with voltage divider ) direct to the output of the analog amplifier output driving the valve signal (I tried direct pwm to analog input, but it jumped all over the place due to sampling, so I used the filter built into the AA-1), here is valve position(blue) vs the 0-10v output signal from the AA-1 you see the square wave end and go straight to 50% when I enable the manual PWN and it disables the PID PWM (not sure why the blue line on the left is not as wavy as before, need to research that)

 

[BrunDog]

Hmmm... it's *possible* that 45K does not adequately follow the 'Use PWM' switch. We made some edits along the way and I'm not sure exactly when it was added.

I just posted 45O... give that a rip and see if it works correctly!

 

[exoticatom]

Hmmm... it's *possible* that 45K does not adequately follow the 'Use PWM' switch. We made some edits along the way and I'm not sure exactly when it was added.

I just posted 45O... give that a rip and see if it works correctly!

May I ask if version "O" prerequisite for next release?

 

[BrunDog]

Probably. It’s a little heady to cross check compatibility between app releases and firmware versions. Just easier for us to say “use the new stuff”!

 

[clearwaterbrewer]

Hmmm... it's *possible* that 45K does not adequately follow the 'Use PWM' switch. We made some edits along the way and I'm not sure exactly when it was added.

I just posted 45O... give that a rip and see if it works correctly!

ummm.. I removed my sunfounder Mega2650R3 w piggyback 5500 from the screwshield in my production panel, took to my office, loaded 45O, put it back in the production panel and no communication... took it back off and programmed to 45K, returned it to the panel, and it worked. I repeated this process a total of three times. I have it back on 45K now... also, I have Mega digital output 36 connected to a contactor that energized my chiller, and I noticed that it goes on and then off when normally powered up and communications, but during this communication error, it never shut back off... are certain GPIO's susceptible to this like they are with the Raspberry Pi?

 

[BrunDog]

I just tested on a bench and was able to communicate without issue.

Did you run the debug and make sure that it is communicating? You can send %1&14; and have it begin to report the IP address, etc.

 

[clearwaterbrewer]

My problem is that production setup is not capable of debugging during use, as it uses ethernet for communications, and usb port is too far from the brucontrol server (intentionally, as to not get water spray, or overheat in a splash-proof cabinet). I will set up a lab where I can test the features I use...

 

[BrunDog]

I can’t think of any viable reason why one FW will work while the other doesn’t when used back to back.

 

[clearwaterbrewer]

Let me get my lab set up so I can get repeatable results in a green-field environment.. I tested at home with a similar Sunfounder mega (but USB connected) and had issues with communication errors on 45O, but they disappeared after going back to 45K and then forward to 44O... makes no sense... I got a new mega and ethernet shield from keyestudio coming from Amazon tomorrow and will hook up some I/O to mimic what I have in production.

 

[BrunDog]

What version of BC is that?

 

[clearwaterbrewer]

1.1 build 9

Do you have recommended specs for a low-pass filter to connect a PWM output back to an input on a mega? I used a 100ohm between output 2 and input A0, and 10uF from A0 to Gnd, and still get a lot of noise. and weirdly, the blue line is the PWM, it rolls off the graph until I change it..

 

[BrunDog]

Resistor should be much higher, like 10k.

 

[clearwaterbrewer]

I threw a 100k in, might need to raise the capacitor up to 100.

 

[DonWMason]

Alright, facing opportunity #2. I am trying to get my CZH-LABS DIN Rail Mount 4 Channel 12 Amp Solid State Relay SSR Module running. I have each of the IN+ connected to UniShield ports 6-1D thru 6-4D. The IN- are connected to ground (AC & DC tied together). I don't get any Digital Output voltage on any of those ports. I originally had 5V hooked up to VB and then tried 24V this afternoon, same zero output. I had a voltmeter on it and there isn't a flicker of voltage change. Any ideas?

 

[BrunDog]

Alright, facing opportunity #2. I am trying to get my CZH-LABS DIN Rail Mount 4 Channel 12 Amp Solid State Relay SSR Module running. I have each of the IN+ connected to UniShield ports 6-1D thru 6-4D. The IN- are connected to ground (AC & DC tied together). I don't get any Digital Output voltage on any of those ports. I originally had 5V hooked up to VB and then tried 24V this afternoon, same zero output. I had a voltmeter on it and there isn't a flicker of voltage change. Any ideas?

Might be a silly question, but do you have power to the bank those outputs are driving from? Before connecting anything, for a port/pin that is ON as a digital output, you should see 5V (MEGA) or 3.3V (Grand Central) on the P pin, and the same voltage as the bank (VA, VB, etc.) on the D pin.

Note: Make sure you NEVER put positive voltage above Vcc on the P pin. The density of the P and D pins so close together can make this difficult to ensure, admittedly.

 

[DonWMason]

Yes, VB is the bank and it had the 5 VDC and now 24 VDC applied to it.

EDIT: I checked 6-1P through 6-4P and none of them is putting out any voltage.

 

[oakbarn]

My problem is that production setup is not capable of debugging during use, as it uses ethernet for communications, and usb port is too far from the brucontrol server (intentionally, as to not get water spray, or overheat in a splash-proof cabinet). I will set up a lab where I can test the features I use...

Since I am rebuilding, one consideration I am making in my Build is that the USB port of any interface is accessible. Is there any reason not to leave a USB cable attached to the interface while the upstream USB A Connector(the end attached to a computer) is left unconnected? I plan to add these to the exterior side of my Interface enclosure: https://www.l-com.com/usb-waterproof-usb-a-panel-mount-jack-female-to-female. I found those small Micro USB connectors on Mega Interfaces very fragile. All of my interface devices will be powered via a separate Power Supply rather than USB.

 

[crane]

I am getting ready to rebuild my control panel. I plan to do the same and have one usb port for each mega. I bought similar usb panel mount cconnectors as well.

 

[BrunDog]

Yes, VB is the bank and it had the 5 VDC and now 24 VDC applied to it.

EDIT: I checked 6-1P through 6-4P and none of them is putting out any voltage.

That's odd, since the P type pins are directly tied to the microcontroller pins. Did you cross-checked the port# to the UniShield pin number per the Interface Wiring Map?

 

[BrunDog]

Hi all. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and hope everyone sees our lives get back to normal in 2021! I really appreciate this community and I'm thankful to work with you on your brewing projects in any way I can.

FYI just posted 1.2 Beta v1.1.0.15. Please note this uses a new license server, so let us know if you have any issues activating. It includes some fixes and the start of the Profile Element (not complete yet).

 

[crane]

I've been playing around with the M5Stack the last few days. Thanks to Pete for his always prompt support; we were able to get all 3 buttons enabled with a new FW build within 24 hours of me reporting that only 1 button was able to be used.

I have found that using the display on the M5Stack with Brucontrol scripting to be a little clunky. I am wondering if others are using the M5Stack to display any sort of timer or wall clock that updates the display every second and how you coded this up? Just looking to see how others have skinned this cat.

 

[clearwaterbrewer]

Since I am rebuilding, one consideration I am making in my Build is that the USB port of any interface is accessible. Is there any reason not to leave a USB cable attached to the interface while the upstream USB A Connector(the end attached to a computer) is left unconnected? I plan to add these to the exterior side of my Interface enclosure: https://www.l-com.com/usb-waterproof-usb-a-panel-mount-jack-female-to-female. I found those small Micro USB connectors on Mega Interfaces very fragile. All of my interface devices will be powered via a separate Power Supply rather than USB.

sounds like a good idea if they are free...

However in my case, they are not. I use USB for powering my Mega's since I have 12VDC, 24VDC, as well as 24VAC, and 120/240/3-phase in the panel... Not adding a 7-9VDC power supply just for the mega, so USB power it is. (I did order the keyestudio 'super mega' with 2A 5V driver yesterday, so will try that on 12V, which may leave the USB jack open..)

 

[clearwaterbrewer]

I've been playing around with the M5Stack the last few days. Thanks to Pete for his always prompt support; we were able to get all 3 buttons enabled with a new FW build within 24 hours of me reporting that only 1 button was able to be used.

I have found that using the display on the M5Stack with Brucontrol scripting to be a little clunky. I am wondering if others are using the M5Stack to display any sort of timer or wall clock that updates the display every second and how you coded this up? Just looking to see how others have skinned this cat.

Not the M5 Stack, but the Wemos D32Pro, which has built in TFT header and such... was that the 45O firmware?

 

[RiverCityBrewer]

Couple gotchas on the upgrade, all licensing based.

1 - The license didn't automatically activate on startup, I had to manually tell it to. This may be by design, but wasn't explicitly spelled out.
2 - If running the pro license, data exchange faulted because the license wasn't activated on startup. I had to turn off and turn on data exchange after activating and everything came back to life.

 

[DonWMason]

That's odd, since the P type pins are directly tied to the microcontroller pins. Did you cross-checked the port# to the UniShield pin number per the Interface Wiring Map?

Yes, I always have the wiring map on a monitor when doing this as I don’t trust my memory enough to try to shoot from the hip on this stuff. 6-1 is port 29 on the Mega UniShield. I’ve disconnected the wire from the UniShield and tested voltage that way to ground for both D & P pins.

I get this comm log output when enabling the Direct Output device:

09:27:55.442: Tx: !29,1,1,0
09:27:55.457: Rx: !29,1,1,0,-1,#
09:27:56.457: Tx: ?29
09:27:56.473: Rx: ?#

Here's the config in BC:

 

[BrunDog]

Ok, that helps. The hashes in the log tell you a mismatch in the message between the application and the interface. Disable the Element. Then change the Dual Throw Port from blank to None. Then re-enable it.

** THIS WILL LIKELY BE AN ISSUE FOR ALL UPGRADERS **. Sorry! We need to document this better! Moving pieces!

 

[BrunDog]

Couple gotchas on the upgrade, all licensing based.

1 - The license didn't automatically activate on startup, I had to manually tell it to. This may be by design, but wasn't explicitly spelled out.
2 - If running the pro license, data exchange faulted because the license wasn't activated on startup. I had to turn off and turn on data exchange after activating and everything came back to life.

Thank you for reminding me of this experience. I have updated the Product Note for the beta.

 

[DonWMason]

Ok, that helps. The hashes in the log tell you a mismatch in the message between the application and the interface. Disable the Element. Then change the Dual Throw Port from blank to None. Then re-enable it.

Funny thing. I did that last night because I noticed the empty field. The value does not stick for me. When I close the dialog and re-open it, the field is blank again.

 

[BrunDog]

Really? Ugh. Can you try deleting the element and re-creating it?

 

[DonWMason]

I did that about 5 times yesterday. My first instinct is that I've done something wrong and want to recheck. Once more for the team...

• Create a Digital Output device and Dual Throw Port is blank.
• Set it to None.
• Click OK.
• Open device and Dual Throw Port is blank again.