exoticatom
Well-Known Member
I read through the CBPI to Brucontrol document. I have a screw terminal hat on my RPI, it's pretty basic setup, just some SSRs, mech relays and 1wire.
From what I gather the only thing that would need to change from my current setup to Brucontrol is an Arduino-Mega, shifting the GPIO outputs over to the Arduino, and the instead of remotely doing stuff I'd just have to plug my laptop into it? Obviously I need to purchase a license as well.
Hi, I switched from CBPI to Brucontrol.
Yes you'd need to use Arudino instead of Raspberry Pi. (can be any ESP32 if you have smaller setup, Mega is most versatile), for uploading arudino firmware PC is needed. But that step is not so complex nor frequent -> you just need to follow instructions provided.
However, you need a small PC where you will run BruControl software which is currently running AFIK only on Windows.
You could run Windows on Raspberry Pi4 but it's a harder way (IMHO).
You don't need PC while brewing, you can use a tablet, but you then you must use Arduino MEGA or ESP32 with (Ethernet) WiFi shield (like me).If my assumption is correct, could I skip the requirement of the laptop at the brewing area with this Arduino ? Or I suppose if I didn't care to do this I could remote desktop into the laptop?
I am using Tablet during brewing which is connecting using RDP to PC/Windows running BruControl. Web interface is announced but not yet available, for me a killer feature .
I have analog sensors and I dont use additinal ADCs, but some passive elements need to be added. Please check more schematics here: Schematics – BruControl. It's nothing complex. And you don't need raspi anymore.From what I gather the Arduino has some analog inputs as well, so if I went this way, if I decide to do stuff like pressure sensing/flow sensing I wouldn't have to invest in ADC boards like I would the raspi?
Also does Brucontrol have any type of control over 2 sensors with 1 element simultaneously? I think it's been called cascade PID. Essentially if I want to ramp my mash up, is there anyway to set my rims tube (with sensor) up to go full power or preferable a certain amount of power, and base when it turns off on the mash tun sensor gets to set point, then switch over to the RIMS tube for temp control?
I am using 2 step approach without cascade PID.
First I power up my RIMS with Duty Cycle to full power (ramp up) until certain temperature (-2C from the target) then I switch to PID heating
That means yes you can do that. with DC or PID you can use same sensor (RIMS sensor)
Just a side comment BruControl is very powerful taking into account Arduino possibilities and scripting language, and its worth investing in a small PC for running the control software.
Check some of my posts I recently posted demo video, maybe it helps to understand what can be done with BC.
Cheers and sorry for several edits, I accidentally published unfinished post
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