iSpindle - DIY Electronic Hydrometer

[jimdkc]

Go to WalMart or the Dollar Store and get a sun tea jar!

Or... buy a gallon jar of pickles!

 

[BrewingAroundtheRrealm]

What container are people using for the test in pure water, and for the easy sugar calibration? I don't have any containers that are both wide and deep enough for the iSpindel to float freely other than fermenters. It's currently sitting at 27.4 degrees in 63 degree tap water in the fermenter without weights after offset calibration, so pretty close there. I could fill up 5 gallons of 1.085 sugar wash, then pour half out and refill to 5 gallons for each dilution step, but if there was a better option I'd take that first.

I used a 2 gallon bucket that I normally use for sanitizer on brew days.

 

[Bigdaddyale]

The upper deck of your toilet

 

[DaniFilth]

I've got my ispindle to push data every 30 mins but brewers friend isn't receiving the data. Does anyone know what i'm supposed to put in each box in the ispindle settings just in case i've got that bit wrong?

 

[DaniFilth]

I've got my ispindle to push data every 30 mins but brewers friend isn't receiving the data. Does anyone know what i'm supposed to put in each box in the ispindle settings just in case i've got that bit wrong?

No worries, i had to take off the http:// before the log.brewersfriend.com

 

[peircetrainor]

Firmware 6.2.0 fixed this problem.

what was your fix for the not saving issue you were experiencing I am currently experiencing the same issue. I was using the newest firmware available, with is the 6.2.0 The only thing it is saving is the wifi name, and password, but not my name of it and not the temp. I have tried something a user did in the previous thread which is blank writing the d1 and then rewriting the firmware but still not success.

 

[KDMcM]

I've not looked too closely at the custom PCBs: they seem to be awkward to find / download due to patent concerns. I have 2 technical queries, though on the basic design:

1) I've seen a number of folk use a resistor to RST for waking from deep sleep. Some folk just use a wire link. This design always seems to have used a Schottky diode. Can anyone tell me the difference between these designs?

2) Do we actually get a low battery warning from the +5V connection to ADC0? My concern is that the ADC has a max 3.3v input. I can't find out if this is potted down on the D1 board, but I'm reluctant to squirt 5V in.

I'm sure the answers will be a face-slap to me once someone points out the obvious!

Thanks.

 

[MT_Keg]

what was your fix for the not saving issue you were experiencing I am currently experiencing the same issue. I was using the newest firmware available, with is the 6.2.0 The only thing it is saving is the wifi name, and password, but not my name of it and not the temp. I have tried something a user did in the previous thread which is blank writing the d1 and then rewriting the firmware but still not success.

All I did was clear the flash (like in this thread) and uploaded the 6.2.0 firmware. Worked right out of the box. Sorry I can't be of more help.

 

[rkhanso]

Question on my first use of the iSpindel. I use it with CraftbeerPi.
It seemed that immediately after pitching, and once the iSpindel data started showing up in CraftbeerPi, gravity started dropping. Is this normal? Or might there be something wrong? Shouldn't it be steady for a while before the gravity starts dropping?
I didn't calibrate it before use (not sure how, actually), and planned on just using it for indicating when fermentation stops and for temp readings.

 

[rkhanso]

Another question about the iSpindel output...
When I first started this ferment yesterday, the iSpindel said it's battery level was 4.478623v

Today, the voltage says 5.338894, and the gravity has already flat-lined. The beer can't be done fermenting in 6 hours, can it?
The temperature is still changing though.
This thing doesn't seem trustworthy in it's data, does it?

Immediately after pitching yeast yesterday - notice the battery level:



Today's battery level:


And the gravity chart:

 

[BrewingAroundtheRrealm]

Question on my first use of the iSpindel. I use it with CraftbeerPi.
It seemed that immediately after pitching, and once the iSpindel data started showing up in CraftbeerPi, gravity started dropping. Is this normal? Or might there be something wrong? Shouldn't it be steady for a while before the gravity starts dropping?
I didn't calibrate it before use (not sure how, actually), and planned on just using it for indicating when fermentation stops and for temp readings.

View attachment 673700

With out calibration the iSpindel isn't going to be of much use. You'll need to follow the Easy method (I) calibration steps here: https://github.com/universam1/iSpindel/blob/master/docs/Calibration_en.md

 

[rkhanso]

I wondered if the iSpindel might have been hung up on the cooling coil in my fermenter. I opened up the conical and tried to see the iSpindel, but there was too much foam. After I put the cover back on, the data jumped down lower, but still flat-lined.

My thought was that without it calibrated, it would still show me when fermenting is complete - even though the actual numbers showing Gravity may not be correct. I really don't care what the gravity is during fermentation, since I'll be using a hydrometer before bottling to get the FG anyway.

My main question was the data it was outputting, indicating that fermentation was complete after just 6 hours. Unless this really is related to calibration and I just don't realize it. I just expected the tilt of the iSpindel would be changing during fermentation, even though the numbers might be wrong.

After taking the conical lid off and putting it back on:



And now, the battery level it's giving is back to what seems more normal, instead of the 5v+ it was giving me earlier today
iSpindelBattery
4.118874V

 

[flowidc]

You might have a connection issue with it being inside a conical. If the ispindel lost connectivity with your wifi and cant communicate to you pi, cbp will continue to output the last known measurement. This appears as a straight line when you look at the chart. It will do this for each measurement type (gravity, temp, battery). One way to test this is to restart cbp, this will reset the cbp ispindle reading to 0. If you dont see it update with an actual value then you know it's a communication issue.

 

[rkhanso]

Maybe it is just a connection problem then. I rebooted the Raspberry Pi and the data from the iSpindel hasn't shown up in the GUI 20 minutes later.
The fermenter is plastic, and is in the garage (with the Fermenter and Brewing controllers in the garage also). Maybe the iSpindel WiFi is just that much weaker than even the Pi Zero W so that it doesn't always connect to the WiFi network. I should get another WiFi Access Point out in the garage, I suppose.

 

[BreeBrew]

Maybe it is just a connection problem then.

You can't assume that. As stated before the calibration is mandatory in order for the iSpindel to work properly. If it hasn't data in the config file to relate the current state to, the outcome is unpredictable and is the same as if you wouldn't have an iSpindel which is nothing.

 

[rkhanso]

OK. Thanks for that info.
I just now checked my Unifi controller (Ubiquiti GUI to see WiFi data on the network) to see if the iSpindel shows up. It used to show up (with MAC address only, no IP Address since I caught it when it was sleeping). It's not showing up at all now - as being recently connected via WiFi, so I still believe it's not connecting to WiFi.

Regarding calibration - - I wouldn't say it has no calibration. When I initially set it up on it's own GUI, I used the default data for the configuration. I know, still not correct.
I may try moving my WiFi AP closer to the garage to see if it'll connect. At least eliminate that as a problem since it's more sanitary than digging around in the fermenter to pull out the iSpindel.

 

[rkhanso]

It appears it was a problem with the iSpindel connecting to the network. I re-positioned my WiFi AP and it's putting data into CraftbeerPi again.
I'll have to get a 2nd AP to put in my garage.

I'll keep watching the Gravity to see how it responds now. I lost a lot of data though.

 

[rkhanso]

After moving the wireless AP closer to the garage, the data is much more stable.

 

[KDMcM]

It appears it was a problem with the iSpindel connecting to the network. I re-positioned my WiFi AP and it's putting data into CraftbeerPi again.

I'm sure loads of folk have done this: I moved my stuff in my garage closer to my AP. The connection went downhill. Then I realised that I'd put it all behind a metal up-and-over door. As we know, metal is not a friend to radio.

 

[Kori83]

Hi, i have a problem with my ispindel build. I did 2 different builds with 4.0 board and the open distilling guy board. For some reason when i flash it with 6.2 firmware i can't connect to it. When i flash with 5.8 i can connect but it can't save anything on it. Please help.

 

[Maetin]

Hi, i have a problem with my ispindel build. I did 2 different builds with 4.0 board and the open distilling guy board. For some reason when i flash it with 6.2 firmware i can't connect to it. When i flash with 5.8 i can connect but it can't save anything on it. Please help.

 

[DaniFilth]

My ispindle is reading 3.9v of battery, could this be the reason i'm only getting data every 4 hours or so even though it's set to every 30 mins? It started out logging every 30 mins for a day or so

 

[Open Source Distilling]

Hi, i have a problem with my ispindel build. I did 2 different builds with 4.0 board and the open distilling guy board. For some reason when i flash it with 6.2 firmware i can't connect to it. When i flash with 5.8 i can connect but it can't save anything on it. Please help.

Have you tried blanking out both addresses as shown at the bottom of the page linked below? Do you have a serial monitor output you can share?
https://www.opensourcedistilling.com/ispindel-firmware-flash/

 

[DaniFilth]

Ok, seems it could be a connection issue, as it's still logging when it can.

Anyway another Q I'm calibrating in a bucket of sugar and water and added yeast and checking everyday but sometimes i find the ispindle seems to be logging numbers that gradually go down but the hydrometer suddenly goes back up a point or two, even after getting the bubbles off. Is this just due to the amount of action going on, and if so why doesn't it affect the ispindle the same way?

Logged tilt 68.02 at 1.078 and now tilt 67.96 but 1.080 :/

 

[Wild7s]

@jbeavis19 You mentioned you had a few extra iSpindels, Id be interested in a kit or pre assembled iSpindel. What are you asking for one? I assume its the most recent version of the design?

 

[kmarkstevens]

BTW, @jbeavis19 set me up with a kit. Totally professional. I haven't had time to try **** it up yet, but I will.

 

[jbeavis19]

@jbeavis19 You mentioned you had a few extra iSpindels, Id be interested in a kit or pre assembled iSpindel. What are you asking for one? I assume its the most recent version of the design?

It's about 8 bucks to ship and $30 for the parts. Between the pandemic and buying a new house I really don't have time to build any for anyone just now. I have five kits that I'm willing to part with. With the exception is I currently only have batteries for three of them. I'm getting the battery off of eBay. They're $16 for a two pack. I can take $8 off the price and give you the eBay link if you want to go that way also.

Send me a private message if you want to set this up.

~Josh

 

[mnandres]

Hi, sorry for my inglish, i have the same charger, but i dont now how conect, can you help me with some diagram for the conections... you can make function?
i can´t

thanks

 

[mnandres]

Hi, sorry for my inglish, i have the same charger, but i dont now how conect, can you help me with some diagram for the conections... you can make function?
i can´t

thanks

sorry i try too mention another post but i dont now haow

 

[mnandres]

I'm too not worried about that. The shield largely replaces the protoboard so I am not gaining much size.

Hi, sorry for my inglish, i have the same charger, but i dont now how conect, can you help me with some diagram for the conections... you can make function?
i can´t