HOWTO - Make a BrewPi Fermentation Controller For Cheap

[zgja2]

Sorry for the repost but I did not get any responses. Does anyone know what size project box (preferable one on amazon) is a good fit for the UNO board, relay board, duplex outlet, terminal strip, and associated wiring. There is no Radio Shack near me so i need to order online and hate having to return stuff. Thanks in advance!

 

[thekraken]

(deleted on second thought as my project is probably significantly different using tiny components and my frame of references is skewed)

(edit) Also don't forget a 5v DC power converter, don't know if you were planning on cramming that in there. The apple usb wall wart is tiny.

 

[GrogNerd]

I bought a cheap plastic ammo box from Harbor Freight, everything fits inside/attached to.

haven't actually assembled it all together, but it all fits inside and I like that it's not an ordinary project box

dimensions of it are:
Product Height 7.1 in.
Product Length 11.6 in.
Product Width 5.1 in.

hope that helps

 

[zgja2]

(deleted on second thought as my project is probably significantly different using tiny components and my frame of references is skewed)

(edit) Also don't forget a 5v DC power converter, don't know if you were planning on cramming that in there. The apple usb wall wart is tiny.

To power the UNO? Hmmm for some reason I was thinking this was powered via the usb. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[zgja2]

I bought a cheap plastic ammo box from Harbor Freight, everything fits inside/attached to.

haven't actually assembled it all together, but it all fits inside and I like that it's not an ordinary project box

dimensions of it are:
Product Height 7.1 in.
Product Length 11.6 in.
Product Width 5.1 in.

hope that helps

Nice. That should be plenty of room. Thanks for the insight

 

[thekraken]

To power the UNO? Hmmm for some reason I was thinking this was powered via the usb. Thanks for pointing that out.

To power the uno and or the pi. I also noticed now that you didn't include the pi in your list of stuff?

 

[zgja2]

To power the uno and or the pi. I also noticed now that you didn't include the pi in your list of stuff?

I purchased a Pi with its own enclosure so i did not include it on the list. So please clarify. I can or can not power the uno via the usb from the Pi? Thanks!

 

[Bigdaddyale]

You want to power the uno and pi with separate power sources.

 

[FuzzeWuzze]

I purchased a Pi with its own enclosure so i did not include it on the list. So please clarify. I can or can not power the uno via the usb from the Pi? Thanks!

You can power via USB if you are doing a bare bones setup, once you start including LCD screens or other widgets you need to power the Arduino via its own power source.

Ive never powered my Arduino externally since i created this thread, its just powered over 5V from the RPI USB.

The key is to make sure you have a good 2-2.5A supply(overkill) for your RPI.

 

[wbarber69]

2.5A or better now that the pi3 is out

 

[canofworms]

Sorry for the repost but I did not get any responses. Does anyone know what size project box (preferable one on amazon) is a good fit for the UNO board, relay board, duplex outlet, terminal strip, and associated wiring. There is no Radio Shack near me so i need to order online and hate having to return stuff. Thanks in advance!

I used this box. Everything fit very well with plenty of room to work but not so much it was excessive.

BUD Industries NBF-32412 Plastic Outdoor NEMA Economy Box with Clear Door, 7-55/64" Length x 5-57/64" Width x 3-59/64" Height, Light Gray Finish https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005UPC4WC/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[zgja2]

You can power via USB if you are doing a bare bones setup, once you start including LCD screens or other widgets you need to power the Arduino via its own power source.

Ive never powered my Arduino externally since i created this thread, its just powered over 5V from the RPI USB.

The key is to make sure you have a good 2-2.5A supply(overkill) for your RPI.

Thanks. That is what i was thinking. The kit you recommended came with a 2.5 amp ps so i should be good to go. Thanks for starting this amazing thread!

 

[nvogt1]

Hi everybody,

I finally have my brewpi fermentation built, but for the life of me I cannot get it to detect the temperature probes.

I've read much of this thread, and came across the issue with the parasite power probes that were labelled or sold incorrectly. Someone also posted the arduino sketch to check if your probes were the parasite power ones, and I ran that with my first two probes and they were both the incorrectly sold version. I ordered new DS18B20 probes (just the chips), got them today and wired everything up. I ran the parasite power test sketch and this was my result:

Detected 2 devices
Device 0 is a DS18S20
Device 1 is a DS18S20
Sensor 0 26.94
Sensor 1 27.56

Parasite power is: OFF

I should mention that this result is with everything wired up as I will have it in my final setup, with the only difference being where the USB cable is plugged in: in this parasite test sketch, the USB from the arduino just goes to my computer. So at this point, I know my wiring is correct, my DS18S20 are the real version, and the A4 port on the arduino is working.

I then take the usb cable and plug it into the raspberry pi and restart everything. I reprogram the arduino with the 0.2.10 firmware, restart the raspberry pi again, and then go to device configuration and refresh the device list and.... nothing. Still just the default detected devices.

I'm honestly at a loss of what to do next. I realize many of the issues with temperature probes are faulty wiring, but the way I ran my parasite power test would suggest that my wiring is correct, and the issue is something with the software on the arduino.

Anybody have any ideas? Thanks

 

[day_trippr]

It has to be asked: does the test script use the same A4 pin as BrewPi does for One-Wire data?

Cheers!

 

[nvogt1]

It has to be asked: does the test script use the same A4 pin as BrewPi does for One-Wire data?

Cheers!

Hmm that's a good question. I'm using the script that geordish posted back in May (here). His instructions say to use A4 pin, although the script itself doesn't explicitly define that A4 is used.

However, if I run the DS18x20_Temperature example sketch that is in the OneWire library, I can define the OneWire to be A4, and it still works and gives me appropriate temperature readings.

 

[thekraken]

The script you linked to defines pin 18 which = A4 on the uno.

 

[FuzzeWuzze]

Are you sure your using the legacy branches?

 

[nvogt1]

Are you sure your using the legacy branches?

Yes, I've run the updater tool with --ask twice and done legacy both times. I'm in the process of a complete reinstall of everything: formatting the SD card, flashing the arduino, reinstalling brewpi. Hoping that this might do something...

The funny thing is literally everything else works perfectly as far as I can tell. I've had no trouble with the arduino communicating with the raspberry pi, and I can assign the heater and cooler outputs and cycle on and off my refrigerator with the web interface.

EDIT: Wow, sorry everybody - just noticed that these new sensors are actually DS18S20s instead of DS18B20s, even though the seller listed them as the B version and they are labeled on the outside as DS18B20. Grrrrr very frustrating! Guess I'm back to buying more sensors until I find the the right version. Why is it so difficult to find good sensors...

This is where I purchased them from: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-x-Maxim-Dallas-DS18B20-Digital-Temperature-Sensor-Thermometer-DS1820-DS18S20-/252300297332?

 

[FuzzeWuzze]

Yes, I've run the updater tool with --ask twice and done legacy both times. I'm in the process of a complete reinstall of everything: formatting the SD card, flashing the arduino, reinstalling brewpi. Hoping that this might do something...

The funny thing is literally everything else works perfectly as far as I can tell. I've had no trouble with the arduino communicating with the raspberry pi, and I can assign the heater and cooler outputs and cycle on and off my refrigerator with the web interface.

EDIT: Wow, sorry everybody - just noticed that these new sensors are actually DS18S20s instead of DS18B20s, even though the seller listed them as the B version and they are labeled on the outside as DS18B20. Grrrrr very frustrating! Guess I'm back to buying more sensors until I find the the right version. Why is it so difficult to find good sensors...

This is where I purchased them from: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-x-Maxim-Dallas-DS18B20-Digital-Temperature-Sensor-Thermometer-DS1820-DS18S20-/252300297332?

Buy from the vendors i list in the Wiki, ive never had problem with VTech or the other company and ive bought a dozen or so sensors for my BrewPi and Strangebrew Elsinore setups.

 

[Dolomieu]

+1 on vtech on Amazon. I have 10 temp probe from them and all have been good.

I have a question for you more knowledgeable than I. I have seen the "internal" power supplies in some project boxes and would like to rebuild my brewpi, along with building a rims controller, and would like to go this route. Will the item in the link below work? And how do you get a mini USB hooked up? Cut the wire and plug it in?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HF3G7NO/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[thekraken]

+1 on vtech on Amazon. I have 10 temp probe from them and all have been good.

I have a question for you more knowledgeable than I. I have seen the "internal" power supplies in some project boxes and would like to rebuild my brewpi, along with building a rims controller, and would like to go this route. Will the item in the link below work? And how do you get a mini USB hooked up? Cut the wire and plug it in?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HF3G7NO/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Your making a combo brewpi/RIMS controller?!?

That power supply should work fine. 3A might be overkill, maybe someone else can comment on that. In regard to getting the 5v to your arduino which type of arduino are you using?

 

[Dolomieu]

Your making a combo brewpi/RIMS controller?!?

That power supply should work fine. 3A might be overkill, maybe someone else can comment on that. In regard to getting the 5v to your arduino which type of arduino are you using?

No, they will be separate systems. SBE or Craftbeerpi will run the rims. I just want to figure out the power source so I can start making them neater and with just 1 power in source (with out adding an outlet).

When you say overkill, do you mean I could probably get away with a 2 amp or lower? Or I should just hook wires up to a wall wort in the box? The later is no smart right? Will work but not safe?

Edit: thanks for the reply

 

[thekraken]

No, they will be separate systems. SBE or Craftbeerpi will run the rims. I just want to figure out the power source so I can start making them neater and with just 1 power in source (with out adding an outlet).

When you say overkill, do you mean I could probably get away with a 2 amp or lower? Or I should just hook wires up to a wall wort in the box? The later is no smart right? Will work but not safe?

Edit: thanks for the reply

I take that back, if your running an rpi2 or 3 then 3A sounds about right... I'm running a rpi1.

But you could just hook a wall wart up inside the box. I've seen it done two ways, #1 wire up one of these inside the box and just plug in your wall wart, and #2 I've seen day_trippr crack open a wall wart and bring in 120v directly into the wall wart's circuit board.

All that said, the supply you originally posted is a good option. (edit) come to think of it I actually own that specific one.. heh, just haven't used it yet.

 

[Dolomieu]

Thanks for the help.my current set up I just have an outlet wired up to the out side and my oil is in the outside as well. So I may just go the plug route, not sure why I didn't think of just using a female plug, but thank you. I'm going to try to use the power supply linked previously for my rims, if nothing else just to get a chance to use one.

 

[FuzzeWuzze]

Thanks for the help.my current set up I just have an outlet wired up to the out side and my oil is in the outside as well. So I may just go the plug route, not sure why I didn't think of just using a female plug, but thank you. I'm going to try to use the power supply linked previously for my rims, if nothing else just to get a chance to use one.

I used I've of these in my sbe box, works great. And is small, it's off Amazon.

uxcell
4.0 out of 5 stars 3 Reviews
uxcell® AC 110/220V DC 5V 2A 10W Metal Switching Power Supply Adapter for LED Strip Light

Wired 120 to it from my 240 coming in, chopped a usb cable, looked up which lines were 5v and gnd on the usb cable and wired to the output and plugged the mini usb into the rpi. Works flawless for the last year, and my rpi never turns off, so it's been up for many months

 

[mattrox]

It's taken me a while to box up this project into a project box, which I am about to do soon, but I am doing final checks.

I have got it working over wifi with 2 probes. When I attach a 3rd probe none of the temperature readings work.

Also, when I attach the longer 3m long probe, it doesn't read.

I had this problem before and put it down to being run off a 5V Iphone charger on a usb and 5V wasn't enough.

I now have a 9V 1A wall wart powering it up. I am using the screw terminal block as shown in the diagram on the 1st page. I am getting contact so it isn't faulty wiring.

I have checked all probes and they all work. The longer probe (from a different ebay seller) has the same colour configuration and is working. I have connected it up to a 2nd arduino and both a sketch to grab the one wire address and check temperature work.

 

[gromitdj]

Check to see if the one longer probe is operating in parasitic mode with the Arduino sketch posted earlier in the thread. My guess is that it is. BrewPi doesn't recognize sensors that are operating in parasitic mode and I think if one is, they all do.

 

[mattrox]

Check to see if the one longer probe is operating in parasitic mode with the Arduino sketch posted earlier in the thread. My guess is that it is. BrewPi doesn't recognize sensors that are operating in parasitic mode and I think if one is, they all do.

How do you check if it is parasitic mode?

What is parasitic mode?

 

[gromitdj]

Wire up the sensor to an arduino and run the sketch in This Post. It will tell you if it is operating in parasitic mode. There was some belief that some of the premade sensors being sold are a parasitic only variant.

Parasite mode means that it is powered through the Data Line while it is not performing temperature calculations.

Edit: You can read a little more about it on the BrewPi Forum. DS18B20 oddities... clones?

 

[mattrox]

Wire up the sensor to an arduino and run the sketch in This Post. It will tell you if it is operating in parasitic mode. There was some belief that some of the premade sensors being sold are a parasitic only variant.

Parasite mode means that it is powered through the Data Line while it is not performing temperature calculations.

Edit: You can read a little more about it on the BrewPi Forum. DS18B20 oddities... clones?

Thank you for that. Handy to know. All tested out ok.

 

[Gooser]

I got all the part and I'm hoping to starting putting this together next week. I'm a complete novice so hopefully all works out. Thanks for all the info!

 

[Dolomieu]

I used I've of these in my sbe box, works great. And is small, it's off Amazon.

uxcell
4.0 out of 5 stars 3 Reviews
uxcell® AC 110/220V DC 5V 2A 10W Metal Switching Power Supply Adapter for LED Strip Light

Wired 120 to it from my 240 coming in, chopped a usb cable, looked up which lines were 5v and gnd on the usb cable and wired to the output and plugged the mini usb into the rpi. Works flawless for the last year, and my rpi never turns off, so it's been up for many months

Good to hear. I'm actually having some issues get mine to work. I picked up some micro USB connections and wire up 1 and 5 pins but when I power it up I get nothing from the pi.

 

[gromitdj]

Thank you for that. Handy to know. All tested out ok.

What was the serial output from the test? If its not a parasitic problem, I'll bet dollars to donuts it's a wiring issue.

 

[mattrox]

What was the serial output from the test? If its not a parasitic problem, I'll bet dollars to donuts it's a wiring issue.

That's what I keep thinking. But I can't understand how 1 or 2 probes wired into the terminal block works but 3 don't and the single long probe won't.

I'm going to have to get plugs and receptacles and wire it up in a more permanent configuration to find out for sure.

 

[FuzzeWuzze]

Good to hear. I'm actually having some issues get mine to work. I picked up some micro USB connections and wire up 1 and 5 pins but when I power it up I get nothing from the pi.

What power supply are you using? I assume you adjusted the output pot to make sure it's outputting 5v?

 

[Dolomieu]

What power supply are you using? I assume you adjusted the output pot to make sure it's outputting 5v?

This one

No, I did not do what you just stated. I'm new to these and am having a heck of a time finding info. No instructions came with the this. I guess I need to get this figured out before returning it.

 

[NeoBrew]

There is a little plastic screw on those power supplies that let you adjust the output voltage. You need some kind of volt meter to measure it as you adjust.

 

[Dolomieu]

Alright, I'll give it a shot. Thank you guys!

 

[phishie]

Could anyone help me adjust my BrewPi to reign in this fluctuation? Not sure where to start.

 

[thekraken]

Could anyone help me adjust my BrewPi to reign in this fluctuation? Not sure where to start.

Where is your beer temp probe?