Thanks,
@UncleD For helping me sort through the issue!
For the benefit for all here, the lid seemed to be the issue. We aren't sure what led to it, but once I got a replacement one to test with, it became clear the original lid was the point of issue. The original lid will sometimes function properly, but then throw numbers that are 1) impossible and 2) indicate an issue. The good news is, the headless controller is good to go. Just in case there was a cleaning/sanitizing issue, I will gently clean the sensor area and pat dry with a paper towel. For added safety, I will stick a corner of a paper towel into the external port (where the controller plugs in) so I get all the water out.
I also had an issue with BruControl not showing the numbers that Flite was sending it. UncleD asked me to check my firewall settings, and that was the cause; Windows Defender was blocking incoming connections, even from my home (private) WiFi network. I confirmed this by disabling Windows Defender's firewall for my private network and then went to my Flite's IP and sent a cloud test. The numbers immediately appeared in BruControl. Success! I then reactivated the firewall for security.
To keep my firewall protection, even from my home network devices, I did the following:
1) Opened Windows Security by going to the task bar search option and typing "Windows Security"
2) Clicked Firewall & network protection (left column)
3) Clicked Advanced settings at the bottom
4) When the Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security window opened, I clicked Inbound Rules
5) Click New Rule... in the Actions pane
6) Select the Port radio button, then select Next
7) Select TCP, then enter the port number set in BruControl in Specific local ports. Select Next
8) Select Allow the connection radio button
9) For security, ensure only the Private network is selected (deselect Domain and Public)
10) Enter whatever name you want for this rule, then select Finish
11) Have a homebrew
Thanks again,
@UncleD! I already see my beer level decreasing as I serve my new NEIPA to friends. If you could come up with a device that automatically refills the beer I served so I didn't have to rebrew it, what would be fantastic