ispindel vs rapt pill

[fluketamer]

hi all,

my ispindel died. i think the switch got wet cause it has a little rust on it. i am not nearly handy enough to replace said switch or daignose what actually my be the problem.

i was always concerned on the seal anyway. theres no gasket in the spindel its a plastic on plastic seal.

anyway the rapt pill is on sale at ali for very reasonable price and it appears the rapt pill has two rubber gasket seals which appeals to me.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256...QILhIrb_6sxoCQjMQAvD_BwE&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa


anyone have experince with the pill vs the spindel. in terms of ease of use, durability and connectivity .

thanks in advance

 

[Tartan1]

I had the same concerns with regards to the iSpindel and proper sealing after numerous assembly/disassembly (cleaning/sanitizing) cycles with no gaskets or seals. I decided to go with this
https://www.nautilis.eu/portfolio-item/ispindel-pill-electronic-hydrometer/ as I was happy with the performance of the iSpindel plus this afforded me the added insurance of proper sealing of the unit. Also I have the option of replacing the seals if I feel they have become compromised.
I have no experience with the rapt pill (I know this doesn't answer your question) but thought maybe this could be another option to consider.

 

[fluketamer]

actually that does help as it appears your nautilus is the same as the rapt. thanks

 

[pers]

I bought some 39mm OD 35mm ID x 2mm width silicone o-rings for the cap and they work great. No more random leaks into the tube.

Also soldered in a magnet reed switch to the reset pins and added a cheap wireless charger receiver and don't open it anymore.

 

[hotbeer]

I've only used the RaptPill. But the two O-rings block the wort before it can get to the threads. So no gunk builds up in them that might be hard to clean and sanitize. I've never found evidence of wort beyond the first O-ring. If you get one, be sure to lube them before screwing the cover on. As it takes quite a few turns that might un-seat or damage a dry O-ring.

If you are using carboy's or other fermenters with a narrow opening, then realize the raptPill is wider and fits through some but not all.

 

[fluketamer]

thanks for all this info

 

[redrocker652002]

If anyone is looking to buy and Ispindel I have one. I have not been able to get it to work for me. I am technically challenged so I am sure it is the user not the item itself

 

[fluketamer]

there was a very simple youtube vid on how to get it to work. i think i posted the link before i will take a look for it.

 

[SkyPilot]

hi all,

my ispindel died. i think the switch got wet cause it has a little rust on it. i am not nearly handy enough to replace said switch or daignose what actually my be the problem.

i was always concerned on the seal anyway. theres no gasket in the spindel its a plastic on plastic seal.

anyway the rapt pill is on sale at ali for very reasonable price and it appears the rapt pill has two rubber gasket seals which appeals to me.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805225924098.html?src=google&pdp_npi=4@dis!USD!59.99!47.39!!!!!@!12000032951987755!ppc!!!&src=google&albch=shopping&acnt=708-803-3821&isdl=y&slnk=&plac=&mtctp=&albbt=Google_7_shopping&aff_platform=google&aff_short_key=UneMJZVf&gclsrc=aw.ds&albagn=888888&ds_e_adid=&ds_e_matchtype=&ds_e_device=c&ds_e_network=x&ds_e_product_group_id=&ds_e_product_id=en3256805225924098&ds_e_product_merchant_id=5465626137&ds_e_product_country=US&ds_e_product_language=en&ds_e_product_channel=online&ds_e_product_store_id=&ds_url_v=2&albcp=20123152476&albag=&isSmbAutoCall=false&needSmbHouyi=false&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA9IC6BhA3EiwAsbltOHWi1yFZBT2IDJewlGS_uTY32VlKfJECKr2u_1sOGSmQILhIrb_6sxoCQjMQAvD_BwE&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa


anyone have experince with the pill vs the spindel. in terms of ease of use, durability and connectivity .

thanks in advance

I have the Rapt. I haven’t really had time to use it yet. In my long term water tests it is completely water tight. I would recommend getting the one that includes the wireless charging option, or buy the upgrade which is easy to install. Then you shouldn’t have to open it.

 

[redrocker652002]

there was a very simple youtube vid on how to get it to work. i think i posted the link before i will take a look for it.

I have watched that video over and over. I think my issue is the Wifi and my ability to screw up even the easiest of tasks. LOL. I am going to give it another try soon, but to be honest, I am not holding much hop. I also have a Plaato one that is supposed to be an airlock and measures all the numbers and that I cannot get to work either. So, it is obviously user error Anyway, don't want to hijack the OP's thread.

 

[RyPA]

@fluketamer

My first electronic hydrometer was the RAPT Pill, it worked but eventually died on me. Kegland refunded me which was nice of them.

I decided to give the iSpindel a try and bought a parts kit from someone on the forums, and it has been great so far. I love that it is more modular than the RAPT Pill, so if something breaks, you can actually fix it. With the RAPT Pill, "if it dies, it dies" (Rocky IV).

A bonus of the iSpindel is the software options you have - I have been using Brew Spy which has been awesome. Some of the popular brewing software also support an integration (GrainFather, Brewers Friend, etc.)

2 issues I have with the iSpindel:

• The cap. I am never sure if I am tightening it enough. I actually over-tightened it yesterday and the cap broke so I am now fermenting with no iSpindel to help me out. I wish someone would design a new tube that uses a rubber gasket to seal it shut along with a heavy duty cap. In a prior batch I remember finding a trace amount of wort inside, so I am wondering if I had an unnoticed hairline crack.
• The switch is not sealed so if you get any liquid sealed into the iSpindel I think the fluid creates corrosion on the switch contact points making the switch no longer work. Prior to breaking the cap as mentioned above, I soldered the two contacts on the switch to get it to turn on and decided to just remove the battery between batches and no longer use a switch.

I ordered a 20 pack of replacement switches and 2 new tubes with two extra lids, so when that arrives I will have a total of 3 tubes and 4 caps. If anyone is in a pinch for a tube, cap and/or switch, send me a PM. I am located in NJ and can ship it out for cheap.

Tubes: https://www.ebay.com/itm/133422810230
Switches: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804216279588.html

 

[dtashmore547]

I have been using a rapt pill for over 1 year now, very helpful for tracking the ferment and catching problems especially with sugar washes, one critique is that it doesn't like going out of the area of the wifi and into a repeater out the same ssid. it works with my pressure fermenter very well but does build up pressure over time which I find needs releasing negating the advantage of the wireless charging which then said is very good. seals are excellent but need a thin smeer of Vaseline or silicon grease before assembly.