If you've got a solid 40 minutes to spare and you want to explore the Spike Solo, Blichmann Brew Commander, and Auber Cube, this is for you. Feedback/Questions welcomed.
Electric Brewing Controller Shootout Video
- Thread starter Bobby_M
- Start date
Help Support Homebrew Talk:
Great video! Thanks for putting it together!
With the issues with Blichmann programmable mash, does that controller have an ability to take software/firmware updates? Wondering if that is something that could be corrected down the line through a fix.
Nice video Bobby. I'm liking my wall mounted BrewCommander. I haven't used the mash scheduler since it's easy enough to just do that manually, so not a deal breaker for me. The display is very bright and easy to read. Super easy to change the temps with the touch screen. The cabling is also convenient for my setup.
Thanks, Bobby! This was one of the harder things to form an opinion about in the planning of a new system.
You've confirmed my priors (formed from reading BH website) that the Auber Cube w/ DSPR-320 is the one for me. I'll put up with aesthetic issues and clunky UI for the pre-programming. (I also get the impression that the boil control works better?)
My 5 year brewery plan is off to a slow start, but I'll get there : )
You've confirmed my priors (formed from reading BH website) that the Auber Cube w/ DSPR-320 is the one for me. I'll put up with aesthetic issues and clunky UI for the pre-programming. (I also get the impression that the boil control works better?)
My 5 year brewery plan is off to a slow start, but I'll get there : )
Nice review. I think you covered the usability comparison quite thoroughly.
There are some other factors that prospective purchasers might want to consider relating to failure characteristics, repairability, and what happens if the supplier ceases operation (something which has happened with controller suppliers in the past.)
Let's look at what happens if the supplier goes away. Both the Blichmann and Spike use proprietary internal components (primarily the circuit board for the controller) which would likely become unavailable if Blichmann or Spike went out of business, at which point either controller would become a doorstop. With the Auber, the only proprietary components are the DSPRs, which could be replaced by other PIDs (albeit with much reduced capability), allowing the controller to survive Auber going out of business. IMO Auber and Blichmann are more financially stable than Spike.
With respect to failure modes: The most common way for SSRs (the high voltage, high current power modulation switches) to fail is in the ON mode, which means your element will be stuck on at full power. The Auber Cube has an electro-mechanical circuit breaker switch that will disconnect the power from the element in the event of an SSR failure (either temporary or permanent), but the Blichmann does not have a mechanical switch to deal with an SSR failure. It the SSR fails in a Blichmann, your only option is to unplug the element cable or the 240V input cable. These will be carrying 20+A at 240V, which will usually result in significant arcing when the plug is removed from the receptacle. I don't know if the Spike controller has a mechanical disconnect capability for the element circuit.
Brew on
There are some other factors that prospective purchasers might want to consider relating to failure characteristics, repairability, and what happens if the supplier ceases operation (something which has happened with controller suppliers in the past.)
Let's look at what happens if the supplier goes away. Both the Blichmann and Spike use proprietary internal components (primarily the circuit board for the controller) which would likely become unavailable if Blichmann or Spike went out of business, at which point either controller would become a doorstop. With the Auber, the only proprietary components are the DSPRs, which could be replaced by other PIDs (albeit with much reduced capability), allowing the controller to survive Auber going out of business. IMO Auber and Blichmann are more financially stable than Spike.
With respect to failure modes: The most common way for SSRs (the high voltage, high current power modulation switches) to fail is in the ON mode, which means your element will be stuck on at full power. The Auber Cube has an electro-mechanical circuit breaker switch that will disconnect the power from the element in the event of an SSR failure (either temporary or permanent), but the Blichmann does not have a mechanical switch to deal with an SSR failure. It the SSR fails in a Blichmann, your only option is to unplug the element cable or the 240V input cable. These will be carrying 20+A at 240V, which will usually result in significant arcing when the plug is removed from the receptacle. I don't know if the Spike controller has a mechanical disconnect capability for the element circuit.
Brew on
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2012
- Messages
- 49
- Reaction score
- 28
This
Spike recently fired both of their engineers (Adam and Caleb) and had a large layoff. As of the first of the year, Spike was down to six employees. I'd definitely look into buying spare parts for not only the Spike Solo Panel, but also the Spike Flow pump, Spike Mill, ... basically anything that can break.
This is why I made the comment I did.This
Spike recently fired both of their engineers (Adam and Caleb) and had a large layoff. As of the first of the year, Spike was down to six employees. I'd definitely look into buying spare parts for not only the Spike Solo Panel, but also the Spike Flow pump, Spike Mill, ... basically anything that can break.
Brew on
OP
OP
In theory it could be updated because the board does have a micro SD slot but they'd have to ship out updates on cards to do it and it's been long enough since it came out that I don't think they will make any changes at this point.
OP
OP
I didn't vet the circuits but I do know that a few users have experienced an open current SSR failure and the element disable switch didn't cut power to the element. I suspect that switch is on the 12VDC SSR control circuit.
OP
OP
Like this?Nice review. I think you covered the usability comparison quite thoroughly.
There are some other factors that prospective purchasers might want to consider relating to failure characteristics, repairability, and what happens if the supplier ceases operation (something which has happened with controller suppliers in the past.)
Let's look at what happens if the supplier goes away. Both the Blichmann and Spike use proprietary internal components (primarily the circuit board for the controller) which would likely become unavailable if Blichmann or Spike went out of business, at which point either controller would become a doorstop. With the Auber, the only proprietary components are the DSPRs, which could be replaced by other PIDs (albeit with much reduced capability), allowing the controller to survive Auber going out of business. IMO Auber and Blichmann are more financially stable than Spike.
With respect to failure modes: The most common way for SSRs (the high voltage, high current power modulation switches) to fail is in the ON mode, which means your element will be stuck on at full power. The Auber Cube has an electro-mechanical circuit breaker switch that will disconnect the power from the element in the event of an SSR failure (either temporary or permanent), but the Blichmann does not have a mechanical switch to deal with an SSR failure. It the SSR fails in a Blichmann, your only option is to unplug the element cable or the 240V input cable. These will be carrying 20+A at 240V, which will usually result in significant arcing when the plug is removed from the receptacle. I don't know if the Spike controller has a mechanical disconnect capability for the element circuit.
Brew on
This confirms that the Spike controller, like the Blichmann, does not have a way to cut off power to the element in the case of an SSR failure. I consider this poor design. A good design takes into account common potential failure modes, both equipment and operator, and includes ways to prevent or easily recover from those fail modes.
Brew on
Great objective comparison. It’s nice to see each unit in action to get a real sense of their operability and hear a discussion of each of their strengths and weaknesses.
Thanks for taking the time to put it together.
Thanks for taking the time to put it together.
Similar threads
