New BCS-462 / RPi Control Panel Build

[ryanryates]

Ok Ryan. Now that it all works, per above, would you mind posting up what exactly you bought to make this large touchscreen? I want to copy it exactly! (Again, as long as you don't mind sharing)

-BD

OK, Here is a list of parts for the touchscreen system:

1) JBtek 10 inch LCD TFT Monitor - http://goo.gl/7eeW7T
2) 10.2" 4 Wire Resistive Touch Screen Panel - http://goo.gl/ovLFYi
3) Raspberry Pi 2 - http://goo.gl/4F7d5H
4) Netgear 5-Port Fast Ethernet Switch - http://goo.gl/cIIwhQ
5) HDMI Cable - http://goo.gl/Fmme3G
6) 3M VHB Tape, 0.25 in - http://goo.gl/1sUqU2
7) AC 110V to DC 12V Power Supply - http://goo.gl/jPleYH

The touchscreen connects to the Raspberry Pi via USB. Very easy to calibrate in linux. The LCD is powered by the 12V power supply. The touchscreen and

LCD are connected with the 3M VHB tape. Make sure to be very careful when taping them together because the VHB tape is permanent.

Let me know if you have any questions about how it all works.

 

[BrunDog]

Ryan,

Thank you very much! How is the resistive panel performing? Did you look at any capacitive panels?

-BD

 

[ryanryates]

Ryan,

Thank you very much! How is the resistive panel performing? Did you look at any capacitive panels?

-BD

I have no complaints with the resistive panel. I think it's important to consider the application when choosing which type of panel to go with. If this was for my home pc outside of an industrial environment - I would probably choose the capacitive. One of the primary benefits of capacitive panels is ability to use multi touch. My application really has no use for multi touch.

Resistive panel benefits are lower cost and higher resistance to dust and water, which were important for me.

 

[241]

Awesome build man. I love these elaborate LP systems. I'm using a Blichmann TOP controller for my LP HERMS because I'm no good with electrical, but you've got an awesome setup here. Nice job

 

[BrunDog]

Ryan,

Can you confirm this is working with BCS firmware 4.0?

-BD

 

[ryanryates]

Ryan,

Can you confirm this is working with BCS firmware 4.0?

-BD

Nope, cannot yet confirm this. Working the previous version. I've got 40 gallons of beer to brew this week and am on a tight turnaround. Didn't want to mess with an upgrade until I got through this week. I've also been hesitant to upgrade until the 4.0 (or 4.1) final was released.

Next week I'll think about upgrading the firmware. Let you know then.

 

[JonW]

I've also been hesitant to upgrade until the 4.0 (or 4.1) final was released.

4.0 final will be released by next week.

 

[JonW]

Ryan - take a look at my latest post here.... https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showpost.php?p=7119150&postcount=76

Are you game to try the BCS-Desktop app on the Rpi?

 

[brum]

Very cool build. I'm doing something similar but running the ebrewsupply PID setup. I wanted a way to keep recipes on hand so I am running Brewtarget on an RPi and an adafruit 10.1" non touch screen. I will just be running a wireless keyboard I think. The damn hard part is mounting the screen. My company does a lot of work with that 3m VHB and other crazy tapes but I think I'm going to go the hard mounted route.

Rough setups in the pics. Still need to tweak it all. You can barely see the cut out lines where I'll mount the screen. Hopefully I'll be able to do that soon.

 

[ryanryates]

Ryan - take a look at my latest post here.... https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showpost.php?p=7119150&postcount=76

Are you game to try the BCS-Desktop app on the Rpi?

Hey Jon -

I'm game to try it out, but my weekends are shot for a little while. I'll let you know when I get it installed. I've got an extra SD card somewhere...

 

[ryanryates]

Very cool build. I'm doing something similar but running the ebrewsupply PID setup. I wanted a way to keep recipes on hand so I am running Brewtarget on an RPi and an adafruit 10.1" non touch screen. I will just be running a wireless keyboard I think. The damn hard part is mounting the screen. My company does a lot of work with that 3m VHB and other crazy tapes but I think I'm going to go the hard mounted route.

Rough setups in the pics. Still need to tweak it all. You can barely see the cut out lines where I'll mount the screen. Hopefully I'll be able to do that soon.

Brum -

Well done my friend. One of my initial ideas was to be able to use beersmith on the RPi to have my recipes on hand. While there is a linux version available on the beersmith website, I have been unable to install on the Rpi. I'll check out brewtarget.

Anybody with connections to the beersmith folks? I'd love to see a new distro that works.

Brum, keep us posted on the build. Great work.

 

[brum]

Yeah I was pretty bummed I couldn't get Beersmith to work. I think some other people were trying to get them to compile an RPi compatible version. Maybe you'll be successful. Brewtarget is decent though

 

[BrunDog]

Ryan any updates on this?

-BD

 

[ryanryates]

A few changes in the works - I was disappointed with my herms coil setup so I've installed a new RIMS tube. With the tube I need to install a new breaker, outlet, and temperature probe to the BCS. So, for now brewing is on hold. No real rush as I have 3-4 kegs on tap, plus 15 gallons of Helles lagering in the lagering fridge.

 

[BrunDog]

Gotcha thanks. Good luck. I am in the process of installing bottom drains (done) and electric ball valves (electric done, plumbing to be done). I will then be doing the RPi/touchscreen.

Quick question: do you use an actual keyboard or is there a functional on-screen keyboard?

-BD

 

[ryanryates]

So, I have a Wireless keyboard TouchPad that I use when I need to. However, most of the actual programming I do remotely from my pc inside the house.

Can you tell about your new ball valves? Are they 3 wire? Where did you pick them up - China?

 

[BrunDog]

Yes got them direct from manufacturer. They were good to work with. A few two ways and a few three ways, but the coolest one is a proportional valve. Yes all are three wire. My arduino controls it based on two inputs from the BCS. When both off, the valve is closed. When first on and second off, it is in recirc mode and it's about halfway open. With those reversed it is in sparge mode and the arduino will adjust the valve on the fly by reading the flowmeter to get 1 qt/min flow. Both on means the valve is fully open. I will do the write up on my rig page when I am done assembling it all.

-BD

 

[rabeb25]

Yes got them direct from manufacturer. They were good to work with. A few two ways and a few three ways, but the coolest one is a proportional valve. Yes all are three wire. My arduino controls it based on two inputs from the BCS. When both off, the valve is closed. When first on and second off, it is in recirc mode and it's about halfway open. With those reversed it is in sparge mode and the arduino will adjust the valve on the fly by reading the flowmeter to get 1 qt/min flow. Both on means the valve is fully open. I will do the write up on my rig page when I am done assembling it all.

-BD

Have a link to the proportional valve and flow meters?

Thanks!

 

[ryanryates]

Yes got them direct from manufacturer. They were good to work with. A few two ways and a few three ways, but the coolest one is a proportional valve. Yes all are three wire. My arduino controls it based on two inputs from the BCS. When both off, the valve is closed. When first on and second off, it is in recirc mode and it's about halfway open. With those reversed it is in sparge mode and the arduino will adjust the valve on the fly by reading the flowmeter to get 1 qt/min flow. Both on means the valve is fully open. I will do the write up on my rig page when I am done assembling it all.

-BD

Perfect, let me know when you get a write up done as I'd like to eventually replicate electronic valves on the brewery.

 

[Baja_Brewer]

I like this build. The BCS has always appealed to me and seeing it built as an integrated system using an RPi is fantastic. Will keep an eye on your future posts.

Keep up the good work!

 

[BrunDog]

Have a link to the proportional valve and flow meters?



Thanks!

Not in English online. If you PM me I can send you the info sheet.

 

[BrunDog]

Status?

 

[ryanryates]

Status?

Aside from the RIMS coil addition this last fall, I've been busy brewing without much thought to future upgrades. At some point I'd like to plumb in electronic valves. A big addition would be a 220v run to the garage with full electric conversion. However, because of the placement of the main breaker in the house I am looking at a 125' run of 6 gauge through the house which is quite spendy.

My only complaint right now is the time associated with heating strike water for the mash with the 120v coil. Good news is with the BCS, I can start it heating in the early morning from the comfort of my bed (via smartphone), and then go back to sleep.

The touchscreen is by far the best part of the system which gets many compliments from fellow brewers and neighbors.

 

[BrunDog]

Cool. I just bought the touchscreen you linked in this thread. Glad to hear it works ok with RPi.

 

[JonW]

The touchscreen is by far the best part of the system which gets many compliments from fellow brewers and neighbors.

Are you using the BCS web interface for control?

 

[BrunDog]

I am looking forward to putting mine in and using your interface on the RPi, Jon.

 

[ryanryates]

Jon, yes I'm using the BCS Web interface. So far it works well on the RPi as well as my android smartphone.

 

[BrunDog]

Jon, yes I'm using the BCS Web interface. So far it works well on the RPi as well as my android smartphone.

Does the RPi need drivers for the touch panel, or will it natively work? How do you calibrate it?

 

[ryanryates]

It worked natively out of the box. As far as the pi goes, I use it with Ubuntu mate Linux. Calibration took a little work as one of the axises was switched. A quick Google search provided instructions on editing a configuration file and using touchscreen calibration program. Let me know if you have any issues and I'll try to help.

 

[TrickyDick]

My only complaint right now is the time associated with heating strike water for the mash with the 120v coil. Good news is with the BCS, I can start it heating in the early morning from the comfort of my bed (via smartphone), and then go back to sleep.

So, for Jon, and others, is there a way to setup a process to automatically begin heating the strike water on a countdown?

For instance, let's say I know my setup will heat the water 2° per minute, and I want to brew at 9am and it's going to take approx 50 minutes to raise to strike temp. Is there a way to begin a process before I go to bed at say 11 PM to being with a countdown for 9 hours than begin heating (at 8 AM) so it's basically ready by the time I am ready to brew? I have a lot to learn about programming the BCS.

Also is there a way to see a log of what the timstamps are? Such as, set boil kettle to bring to boil at full blast then when it's at 212°, go to next state for throttle the element to a duty cycle to maintain the boil. Can you look up how long it took from starting the bring to boil process to go to the next state?

Really nice build! Where are you mounting the Rpi in your panel? Great forethought on prewire for move to electric. You really think you'll be able to do 1/2bbl in 20 gallon kettles without boiling over without concentrated boil?

How do you like those stout kettles??

TD.