iSpindle - DIY Electronic Hydrometer

[BreeBrew]

I believe I tried to follow the directions from opensourcedistilling and watching his video it looks like the flat side of the ds18b20 is facing up

That was in the previous version of the Jeffreys. With the 2.69 he altered the orientation of the temp probe 180 degrees so that the round side faces up so that it matches the round side of the inside of the tube making it easier to insert aswell.

 

[BreeBrew]

That is a pretty professional photo if you ask me, lol.
But that is one of my builds witth the 2.69 version of the board, with the round side of the DS18B20 facing up.

 

[day_trippr]

I can attest that if you swap pins 1 and 3 connections to a ds18b20 it will get hella toasty (finger scorching) and likely damaged...

Cheers! (File under "Don't Do That")

 

[mper]

I’m sure that I must have some how mixed up the pins because obviously I should not be seeing smoke. But from what I have seen from other images and from my other ISpindel unit, this current one is facing the correct direction. Here is an image of what it looks like:

The outline on the pcb does not match the orientation of the temp sensor, its backwards. On his website the orientation is as you have mounted but this must be a different version of the pcb.

 

[Lalo_uy]

More than looking to the pcb silkscreen, check the conections with a tester. Pin 1 goes to GND.

 

[kpietro22]

The outline on the pcb does not match the orientation of the temp sensor, its backwards. On his website the orientation is as you have mounted but this must be a different version of the pcb.

Thanks for your input! I was able to double check my other ISpindel and indeed I have it soldering in backwards...off to get out my desoldering stuff and purchasing a new sensor. Thanks!

 

[jimdkc]

Yep. You let the magic smoke out!

 

[day_trippr]

When you replace that sensor, keep the leads short to minimize thermal resistance to the pcb...

Cheers!

 

[gromitdj]

The outline on the pcb does not match the orientation of the temp sensor, its backwards. On his website the orientation is as you have mounted but this must be a different version of the pcb.

Yes, on version 2.69 he rotated the orientation of the sensor so that the rounded portion would be against the petling. That only applies to the 2.69 version though.

 

[kdw2pd]

If you haven't desoldered or don't have spare DS18B20's, the GravityMon firmware will let you use the gyroscope temperature instead.

 

[RyPA]

Are there any upgraded housings that have a gasket of some type? The one I have has nothing, it’s plastic on plastic, which somehow never leaks but id like a gasket/sealing ring in there

 

[gingerneil]

Are there any upgraded housings that have a gasket of some type? The one I have has nothing, it’s plastic on plastic, which somehow never leaks but id like a gasket/sealing ring in there

The tubes are designed to seal without a gasket... It's how things like coke bottles work. I've tested gaskets, but they often get mishappen when you tighten the cap and actually cause more leaks...!

 

[DuncB]

Are there any upgraded housings that have a gasket of some type? The one I have has nothing, it’s plastic on plastic, which somehow never leaks but id like a gasket/sealing ring in there

I've been using a nitrile O ring in mine for ages. I've found the upper edge of the petling and the oring should have the lightest silicone lube on them. Then when tightening it up ensure it's seated nicely, not cross threaded and then tighten a bit and then back off. This seems to get it seated properly. Doing it up tight in one go tends to cause it to not seat evenly.
I regularly spund to target vols of pressure, currently have an ispindel in wort at 22 C and 27psi for about a week so far.

 

[mper]

Are there any upgraded housings that have a gasket of some type? The one I have has nothing, it’s plastic on plastic, which somehow never leaks but id like a gasket/sealing ring in there

Put on some keg lube on the rim, that helps with sealing.

 

[Bassman2003]

Hello,

I am looking for some help with setting up my Ispindel for its first use tomorrow. I have done all of the calibrations as shown on "Open Source Distilling". I ran the sugar water calibration from 1.080 to 1.010 and have a polynomial formula. The web software for logging data I will be using is Ubidots Stem. I added a new synthetic variable with the formula + Tilt.

I am confused about adding the same formula to the actual Ispindel configuration page. There is a formula already there but it has spaces?

Do I replace this formula with my new formula?

Here are the two formulas:

Original formula already in the text box 0.8846314422115845 + 0.006835318893387815 *tilt-0.00011168866813314932 *tilt*tilt + 7.789914994253684e-7 *tilt*tilt*tilt

My new calibrated formula -24.956278793534832+1.5129534951161707*tilt-0.024338771355036714*tilt*tilt+0.00016651996040404843*tilt*tilt*tilt

Thank you for your speedy help as I need to use this tomorrow. (should have done this sooner!!)

 

[DuncB]

I connect to brewspy so no experience with ubidots.
It is important that you have your formula worked out in gravity points not brix or plato.
Also sometimes things get a bit weird with too many decimal points, beyond 8 springs to mind. But looking at my formula in one ispindel for example.

 

[Bassman2003]

Hello,

Thank for your reply. I will just have to live with my formula for this brew and track it, but I just need to know the basic question of - Do I replace the formula on the Ispindel calibration page with my new formula?

Also, everything I read seemed to say the formula needed to be in Plato? Mine is in Plato.

 

[DuncB]

Here's an OG formula for one of my Ispindels,
Degree 1: 0.9554521947610962 + 0.0018053132204705594 *tilt
Degree 2: 0.977849044389365 + 0.0007579512013156912 *tilt + 0.000010918218084628909 *tilt*tilt
Degree 3: 0.8950818012060067 + 0.006675955484390845 *tilt-0.00012078928385243679 *tilt*tilt + 9.215644682120751e-7 *tilt*tilt*tilt

Plato formula for the same one

Degree 1: -10.46874409666387 + 0.4333706030927459 *tilt
Degree 2: -6.647402147821194 + 0.25467009450115047 *tilt + 0.0018628622090110917 *tilt*tilt
Degree 3: -25.78178425153708 + 1.622812259064148 *tilt-0.028585677225930934 *tilt*tilt + 0.00021305006654522902 *tilt*tilt*tilt

Brewspy will either use the formula on the ispindel or can use one you insert into it and it will use that.

I'm not sure how ubidots does it.

The most useful thing about the ispindel is secondary temperature monitor and the fermentation trend. Don't rely on it's accuracy if fermenting beer as there are krausen effects. The one I have in wine ferments is super accurate though.
Will await an update on your brew, good luck.

 

[Bassman2003]

Thanks. So I DO need to add the new formula to the Ispindel? That is all I really need to know now before I close it up in the fermenter...

 

[DuncB]

I don't know if ubidots uses the formula from the ispindel. But if it does then change it over. If you drop it in some water after it should have a gravity reading of 1.000 or near if working right.

 

[Bassman2003]

Thanks. I ended up changing the formula and putting the Ispindel in the fermenter. I now see that there has been no activity for 2 hours. So the reception must be difficult inside the SS fermenter and inside the wine fridge. I tested it last night in the same location but I guess it is different full of wort. Any way to boost the signal without being able to touch the unit? I can't move my router.

 

[RyPA]

Have any of you guys connected your iSpindel to BrewersFriend? I use BrewSpy now which works great, any advantages with BrewersFriend?

 

[DuncB]

Thanks. I ended up changing the formula and putting the Ispindel in the fermenter. I now see that there has been no activity for 2 hours. So the reception must be difficult inside the SS fermenter and inside the wine fridge. I tested it last night in the same location but I guess it is different full of wort. Any way to boost the signal without being able to touch the unit? I can't move my router.

Yes but you'd need a WiFi booster plug or make a relay as per Martin ger using a D1 mini.

 

[redrocker652002]

I have tried Brewers friend and Brewfather. I cannot get either to work. I have tried looking at the formula's and did the needed changes as described on the Youtube channel I found. I keep getting the same thing, a reading of 1.004. It is frustrating as hell and I am ready to just throw the darn thing out. I have had my wife look at it, since she is much better with technology stuff, and she cannot get it to work either. It is now collecting dust in the bottom of my box of stuff I use during my brew day. I am sure, for those who can get it to work, it is awesome. But, for me, I just cannot get it going.

 

[NSMikeD]

I have tried Brewers friend and Brewfather. I cannot get either to work. I have tried looking at the formula's and did the needed changes as described on the Youtube channel I found. I keep getting the same thing, a reading of 1.004. It is frustrating as hell and I am ready to just throw the darn thing out. I have had my wife look at it, since she is much better with technology stuff, and she cannot get it to work either. It is now collecting dust in the bottom of my box of stuff I use during my brew day. I am sure, for those who can get it to work, it is awesome. But, for me, I just cannot get it going.

I had the same problem. I spent a year troubleshooting, and each time, it appeared promising but failed me on brew day (on brew father). BrewFather would recognize the iSpindle but not take readings when I brewed. I eventually decided to cut my losses and get a Tilt, which, for me, was a pleasant plug-and-play experience. I still have the spindle and harbor unrealistic dreams that I'll one day figure it out and have two brews in fermenters at the same time. The smart move would be to donate the iSpindle here, let someone else figure it out and not let it collect any more dust.

 

[Bassman2003]

Yes but you'd need a WiFi booster plug or make a relay as per Martin ger using a D1 mini.

Thanks. I will check it out for future brews as the Ispindel is already stuck inside this ferment. Or get a Tilt if the rabbit hole seems too daunting!

 

[redrocker652002]

I had the same problem. I spent a year troubleshooting, and each time, it appeared promising but failed me on brew day (on brew father). BrewFather would recognize the iSpindle but not take readings when I brewed. I eventually decided to cut my losses and get a Tilt, which, for me, was a pleasant plug-and-play experience. I still have the spindle and harbor unrealistic dreams that I'll one day figure it out and have two brews in fermenters at the same time. The smart move would be to donate the iSpindle here, let someone else figure it out and not let it collect any more dust.

I have both the Ispindle and a Plaato airlock and I cannot seem to get either to work. So, in my mind, it is user error. I am going to keep messing with it though. Thanks for the input, I have thought of putting it for sale for what I bought it for, but still think I can do it. LOL

 

[RyPA]

You guys followed all steps to get it to connect to your home network and were able to get it to calibrate? I first used the Rapt Pill, which died on me, and switched to the iSpindel and it has worked flawlessly since. Did you try brewspy or any other apps?

 

[redrocker652002]

You guys followed all steps to get it to connect to your home network and were able to get it to calibrate? I first used the Rapt Pill, which died on me, and switched to the iSpindel and it has worked flawlessly since. Did you try brewspy or any other apps?

I have tried BrewSpy and Brewfather. It seems to connect, but the reading never comes off 1.004. The temp goes up and down so I think it is working. Who knows, I am not a very technical person

 

[danb35]

It seems to connect, but the reading never comes off 1.004.

With Brewfather, at least, this indicates that you've set the iSpindel to report in SG. Brewfather expects it to report in Plato.