Decisions decisions... BrewPi or STC-1000

[IDoBleedBrew]

I got a steal on a True GDM-7 that is being delivered in a couple of hours.

I'm going to turn this into a fermentation chamber. It is about time I work on some temp control. I'm just torn between doing a BrewPi setup or an STC-1000 setup. I'm leaning more towards the BrewPi since I already have a new and unused RPI just laying around. I'll probably have to enlist the help of my EE buddy.

Once I have all the parts necessary, how long of a project do you think each would take?

Which route would you take... BrewPi or STC-1000?

 

[GrogNerd]

I went with the BrewPi, and I love it

bought parts & built in stages over several months, just to go easy on some tight finances. not that the build was expensive; used a PC running VirtualBox, so I didn't have to buy the RPI. so not really sure how long it would take from scratch with all parts available at once

first batch I brewed with it just started being ready to drink and it is the absolute best beer I've brewed. odds are any temp control would have done the same, but I'm glad I went the way I did

love it for the tight control on temps, I usually can keep temps ±¼º around set point. love the graph plotting, love the web-based UI with the ability to monitor and control from any device, whether I'm home or not

love it, can't say enough good things about it. never used a STC-1000, so can't give you any comparison

 

[FuzzeWuzze]

I may be biased, but building a STC1000 is not really that much easier to build than a BrewPi. The BrewPi maybe takes another hour of work but most of thats just getting Raspbian installed, while thats happening you can multi task and build the circuit.

 

[BeardedBrews]

Is the BrewPi coded in such a way that you need 1x Arduino per 1x Fermentation Chamber, or can we leverage 1-wire to drive multiple chambers with multiple probes?


For what it's worth, I have been happy with my Inkbird controllers, but I do often wish I could program ramps, remote control, and view process logs.

 

[GrogNerd]

Yes, you would need 1 arduino per chamber

 

[IDoBleedBrew]

My Speidel JUST fits with the door closed. I was hoping it would fit on the bottom shelf with the airlock so I could put a fan for circulation on the bottom. I may still put it on the shelf, and then figure out another way to attach an airlock. I could probably fit it in with a traditional airlock... I just need to get a bung that will fit.

 

[elsphinc]

+1 brewpi there's nothing like logging in remotely to show off your graphing.

 

[GrogNerd]

+1 brewpi there's nothing like logging in remotely to show off your graphing.

Yes! Mega+ for cool factor

 

[Base2Brewery]

I moved from my brewpi to a ohmbrew fermostat. View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1457750953.105068.jpgView attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1457751027.875930.jpgView attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1457750953.105068.jpg

 

[day_trippr]

Why?

I used Ranco and Love controllers in the past, but when BrewPi came out I was all in.
The web accessibility is a "yuuuuge" thing for me...

Cheers!

 

[Nagorg]

I moved from my brewpi to a ohmbrew fermostat.

How do you like the Fermostat? I've been using an STC-1000 but recently started using a Chronical with the probe in the thermowell. I'm looking at BrewPi or the Fermostat for the intelligent temp control and am looking for feedback on the latter.

I built my STC-1000 controller and it wasnt that hard but the BrewPi looks a little more involved. Plus, by the time I but everything for it I've almost bought a Fermostat. My biggest holdup is thinking how cool the web interface would be with the BrewPi. If the Fermostat had that I think I'd have pulled the trigger a while back.