NEW StrangeBrew Elsinore Thread

[RonR]

Is there something I need to do to get the Graph option to show up? I've even tried clicking on the temperature with no luck.

 

[FuzzeWuzze]

For those of you that are building your own Elsinore box's, can you post what enclosure you went with? Im looking through Amazon and Ebay trying to figure out exactly what i need without getting something that is way overkill and wasting money. The standard Kal standard 16x16x8 seems like huge overkill considering there are no PID's or switches, just a few SSR's and a RPI...

Also I look at the pictures of Doug's box post fire incident and see two SSR's, then i look at Java's and i see 4, and i look at the initial thread's Circuit and it shows 3...so that's a bit confusing

We hear alot about the software, but not many people posting about their actual builds or final product which would be a great help to the rest of us trying to get idea's! If running the BrewPi DIY thread taught me anything is that people come up with some crazy ass ways to create enclosures with connecctors that i would have never thought of.

 

[BlkWater_brewer]

I believe if you are adding probes to an existing configuration you will need to be in "edit" view and then name/unhide the sensors for them to appear.

Appreciate the response, I assumed this as well but when I click "LOCK" it will change to "EDIT" but for no more than a second or two then the screen refreshes and it's Locked again.

Can I disable the LOCK in a file to configure or do I have another issue?

Thanks,

 

[Theodore18]

Appreciate the response, I assumed this as well but when I click "LOCK" it will change to "EDIT" but for no more than a second or two then the screen refreshes and it's Locked again.



Can I disable the LOCK in a file to configure or do I have another issue?



Thanks,

Which browser are you using? I found Chrome to work better than Firefox and Safari.

 

[BlkWater_brewer]

Which browser are you using? I found Chrome to work better than Firefox and Safari.

I am using Firefox, but I have safari on an iPad so I'll give it a try.

Just tried Safari and the same refresh issue with the edit button.

I did delete the elsinore.cfg and it displayed 4 temp sensors when I re launched it in Firefox. Just Can't edit.

 

[jangevaa]

Appreciate the response, I assumed this as well but when I click "LOCK" it will change to "EDIT" but for no more than a second or two then the screen refreshes and it's Locked again.

Can I disable the LOCK in a file to configure or do I have another issue?

Thanks,

Are you running the most recent version of SB Elsinore?

 

[jangevaa]

Is there something I need to do to get the Graph option to show up? I've even tried clicking on the temperature with no luck.

Make sure you are running the latest version of SB elsinore, and that the recorder is enabled. You can enable the recorder in edit mode.

 

[jangevaa]

For those of you that are building your own Elsinore box's, can you post what enclosure you went with? Im looking through Amazon and Ebay trying to figure out exactly what i need without getting something that is way overkill and wasting money. The standard Kal standard 16x16x8 seems like huge overkill considering there are no PID's or switches, just a few SSR's and a RPI...

Also I look at the pictures of Doug's box post fire incident and see two SSR's, then i look at Java's and i see 4, and i look at the initial thread's Circuit and it shows 3...so that's a bit confusing

We hear alot about the software, but not many people posting about their actual builds or final product which would be a great help to the rest of us trying to get idea's! If running the BrewPi DIY thread taught me anything is that people come up with some crazy ass ways to create enclosures with connecctors that i would have never thought of.

I use a panel similar to those used with the electric brewery type builds. I got mine for free though.

For a fully fleshed out build I would suggest a large relay for master power, two 30A SSRs for elements (boil kettle/mash regulation), and probably a 4 or 8 channel relay (10A) module for pumps and future expansion (e.g. using the control panel to also control a fermentation chamber, or for lights or buzzers). I use a 8 port patch panel to network my beaglebone black and to connect with up to 7 temperature probes. l6-30R receptacles for element power cords, standard outlets for pumps.

While the actual electronics may not take up a lot of space, for ease of wiring and space to mount receptacles, something a bit larger is nicer. For a cheap steel enclosure try a steel cash box.

 

[BlkWater_brewer]

Make sure you are running the latest version of SB elsinore, and that the recorder is enabled. You can enable the recorder in edit mode.

Seems to be under control for the time being. Give me editing a file over a GUI. I was just concerned that the GUI issue was symptomatic of a greater problem. Deleting the elsinore.cfg seemed to address the problem.

Now the fun starts, figuring out to interface this with my as of now, eBrewery clone controller. That I just finished upgrading before deciding on the BBB approach.

Thanks for the help.

OBTW, the Elsinore software was downloaded and reinstalled last Tuesday - so it was current.

 

[JayElDubya]

I messed with the init script a lot today. (I'm using rasbian) Since launch.sh doesn't really fork itself and run in the background well, the only way I could get the script to work was to remove the --background option. It doesn't let you run sudo service stop/restart or anything, but it does run at startup. With launch.sh in its current form, the start-stop-daemon does but like out with the --background option. I'm away from my notes at the moment, but I have it starting on boot and that's it. Tomorrow is brew day so I won't be messing with it. I would love to see this running as a service though.

Today was my first time in awhile with the new interface. It really works well Doug. Can't wait to run it again tomorrow!

 

[jangevaa]

I messed with the init script a lot today. (I'm using rasbian) Since launch.sh doesn't really fork itself and run in the background well, the only way I could get the script to work was to remove the --background option. It doesn't let you run sudo service stop/restart or anything, but it does run at startup. With launch.sh in its current form, the start-stop-daemon does but like out with the --background option. I'm away from my notes at the moment, but I have it starting on boot and that's it. Tomorrow is brew day so I won't be messing with it. I would love to see this running as a service though.

Today was my first time in awhile with the new interface. It really works well Doug. Can't wait to run it again tomorrow!

I was also having some trouble with the service scripts working after the last commits. I found if I went back to anything before "438bc6f326e205c0d0fd6f8bfd28852f71aa3285" it worked. I've had about 2-3 weeks up time now controlling my keg fridge temp with SB elsinore as a service. I haven't been able to figure out what changed in that commit that would've made the service scripts not work anymore.

 

[user 101620]

anyone else having an issue with switches saving after doing the update? everything else is running like gangbusters, but I have to re-add my pumps each time if I reboot. This was not the case prior to the update.

Please provide logs.

 

[Theodore18]

I was also having some trouble with the service scripts working after the last commits. I found if I went back to anything before "438bc6f326e205c0d0fd6f8bfd28852f71aa3285" it worked. I've had about 2-3 weeks up time now controlling my keg fridge temp with SB elsinore as a service. I haven't been able to figure out what changed in that commit that would've made the service scripts not work anymore.

It's the same for me. Had it working as a service, but a recent update stopped it from working. I didn't go back to previous versions, but I may now.

 

[jangevaa]

I have a couple new SB elsinore blog posts. One is a parts list for a full featured control panel, that shouldn't cost you more than $300 (even then, I didn't look very hard to find best prices...) It includes a quick rendering and the estimated control panel size. Let me know if you're interested in the sketch up file! http://onbrewing.com/strangebrew-elsinore-faq-building-a-control-panel/

I also have recent short posts on when you might use logic level converters and another on duty cycle length (based on discussions in this thread). You can explore all strangebrew elsinore posts on my website here http://onbrewing.com/tag/strangebrew-elsinore/

if you're so inclined there is now a subscription option on the website, and if you have any ideas on things which initially (or continuously) provide you with a lot of confusion when approaching this software, let me now and I will see if I can make a post on it.

 

[RonR]

I imported a beerxml recipe into Stragebrew Elsinore. When I enter edit mode and drag the steps in an attempt to delete them, they do not go away. I get an error "Couldn't parse the position to delete: {tempprobe=BOIL, position=KETTLE}

** Please disregard - I shutdown and restarted Strangebrew Elsinore and the steps were gone.

 

[BlkWater_brewer]

GUI Help

Instead of using the GUI what files would I edit to make the changes the GUI would handle. Right now, with the GUI I was able to change the names to MASH and Brew Kettle but I can't stay in edit mode long enough to do more. Was not able to add a Switch or Timer either.

Would rather code it right now and then work out the issue. It may even be a permission screw up.

 

[RonR]

Are you editing from the hosehead or via a browser from another computer? I find it better to edit via a remote browser. There is a configuration file in your hosehead directory.

 

[FuzzeWuzze]

I have a couple new SB elsinore blog posts. One is a parts list for a full featured control panel, that shouldn't cost you more than $300 (even then, I didn't look very hard to find best prices...) It includes a quick rendering and the estimated control panel size. Let me know if you're interested in the sketch up file! http://onbrewing.com/strangebrew-elsinore-faq-building-a-control-panel/

I also have recent short posts on when you might use logic level converters and another on duty cycle length (based on discussions in this thread). You can explore all strangebrew elsinore posts on my website here http://onbrewing.com/tag/strangebrew-elsinore/

if you're so inclined there is now a subscription option on the website, and if you have any ideas on things which initially (or continuously) provide you with a lot of confusion when approaching this software, let me now and I will see if I can make a post on it.

Godlike, yes Sketchup please post a link to it as well!

This is literally what i was doing recently, using sketchup for my Coffin keezer helped a lot so wanted to do it for this to figure out what size box i need. Now i dont have to spend the hours it will take grabbing the models and getting everything placed. Thanks!

Ill be reading this to build my own for sure, as i like the Idea of a hosehead but feel that his component selection isn't the best(25A rating on the Element relays, and the element Powercon connectors are only rated for 20A). Other than that i think its built great. I just dont like with those ratings its realistically limiting you to <4500W elements or your going to burn something up very fast. Hopefully he modifies his design for hosehead3 to be a bit more robust to handle the 5500W Camco elements i'd venture to say most people use.

Its a good starting point for me, although i may steal the Hosehead idea and wire in a 12V and 5V power supply because they are cheap and tiny for the RPI and some 12V fans.

 

[jangevaa]

Godlike, yes Sketchup please post a link to it as well!

This is literally what i was doing recently, using sketchup for my Coffin keezer helped a lot so wanted to do it for this to figure out what size box i need. Now i dont have to spend the hours it will take grabbing the models and getting everything placed. Thanks!

Ill be reading this to build my own for sure, as i like the Idea of a hosehead but feel that his component selection isn't the best(25A rating on the Element relays, and the element Powercon connectors are only rated for 20A). Other than that i think its built great. I just dont like with those ratings its realistically limiting you to <4500W elements or your going to burn something up very fast. Hopefully he modifies his design for hosehead3 to be a bit more robust to handle the 5500W Camco elements i'd venture to say most people use.

Its a good starting point for me, although i may steal the Hosehead idea and wire in a 12V and 5V power supply because they are cheap and tiny for the RPI and some 12V fans.

Here's a link to the sketchup file. Would love to see if anybody had any improvements to it. The patch panel is not really to scale currently (should be 10" wide), and the DPDT relay is a bit larger than what would be used in something like this, but I didn't care enough to make my own accurate component to represent it. If anybody wants to make these improvements or others, go ahead and please share your results.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6wzKaWKHSchUXQ3MVk1U1k4N28/view?usp=sharing

 

[BlkWater_brewer]

Are you editing from the hosehead or via a browser from another computer? I find it better to edit via a remote browser. There is a configuration file in your hosehead directory.

I want to use SSH from a remote machine. When I try the Web GUI there appears like I have s set time between refreshes. I am sure the problem is on my end I was having issues with permissions with my BeagleboneBlack which I thought I resolved. I have always liked command line editing better.

Thanks

FYI, BBB running ubuntu Trusty

 

[FuzzeWuzze]

Here's a link to the sketchup file. Would love to see if anybody had any improvements to it. The patch panel is not really to scale currently (should be 10" wide), and the DPDT relay is a bit larger than what would be used in something like this, but I didn't care enough to make my own accurate component to represent it. If anybody wants to make these improvements or others, go ahead and please share your results.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6wzKaWKHSchUXQ3MVk1U1k4N28/view?usp=sharing

Another question, you list the DPDT relay at 120V. Ive never really used DPDT relays, so i am not as familiar with their workings as mechanical/ssr's, why are you pulling in 240V on a relay coil rated for 120V then sourcing that to the SSR's??

Also what are the purpose of the switches, just manual control to be able to turn the pumps on and off? Isnt that all controlled via SW anyways?

 

[TechyDork]

Another question, you list the DPDT relay at 120V. Ive never really used DPDT relays, so i am not as familiar with their workings as mechanical/ssr's, why are you pulling in 240V on a relay coil rated for 120V then sourcing that to the SSR's??

The coil only takes 120 to activate and close the 220 legs. This allows you to use less expensive and more readily available switches to switch. The 220.

 

[RonR]

I want to use SSH from a remote machine. When I try the Web GUI there appears like I have s set time between refreshes. I am sure the problem is on my end I was having issues with permissions with my BeagleboneBlack which I thought I resolved. I have always liked command line editing better.

Thanks

FYI, BBB running ubuntu Trusty

I should have stated that the config file is in the directory that you installed strangebrew. I was having similar problems and I opened the config file with a text editor and did some simple edits like brewery name and renaming my probes.

 

[jangevaa]

Another question, you list the DPDT relay at 120V. Ive never really used DPDT relays, so i am not as familiar with their workings as mechanical/ssr's, why are you pulling in 240V on a relay coil rated for 120V then sourcing that to the SSR's??

Also what are the purpose of the switches, just manual control to be able to turn the pumps on and off? Isnt that all controlled via SW anyways?

The idea is that, you don't want 240v at 30a or 40a running through a switch you're going to activate, that would be a bit dangerous. To circumvent this, you control the main power with a relay, which is essentially a remote switch. To control this remote switch, we use a lower voltage and MUCH lower amperage circuit. When this circuit is completed (with a cheap $3 toggle), the relay closes, powering the panel.

The second toggle is used to ensure that only a single control circuit is completed for the SSRs at a time, which is what controls the elements.

The toggles 3 and 4 are entirely optional. Their inclusion is based on discussion in this thread that people preferred having the option of manual control of certain things, such as pumps. It's easy to put in switches that will manually override any relay that would otherwise only be controlled by SB elsinore. Essentially the switch provides two methods of completing the control circuit for a relay: The first is a circuit to the GPIO on the beaglebone black/raspberry pi, which activates the relay only when the GPIO is in a high state. The second is a circuit that connects directly to 3.3V, so when this circuit is completed, the relay is always active, not controlled by the GPIO state at all. This is what is meant by manual override.

 

[wyzazz]

Here is how I got StrangeBrew Elsinore to autostart.

I created a file called SBElsinore.desktop inside of /home/pi/.config/autostart.
The contents of the file are:
[Desktop Entry]
Encoding=UTF-8
Name=SBElsinore
Comment=Starts StrangeBrew Elsinore Brewery Controller
Exec=lxterminal --command "/home/pi/SB_Elsinore_Server/launch.sh
Terminal=true

chmod 755 on the file
reboot

For anything else I need to do on the Pi I can use tightVNC or an SSH session.

Seems to work well enough for me at the moment.

 

[FuzzeWuzze]

The second toggle is used to ensure that only a single control circuit is completed for the SSRs at a time, which is what controls the elements.

Isnt this part of what Elsinore is responsible for? Controlling what SSR is supplying power so both arent on at the same time and tripping your breaker?

 

[user 101620]

Isnt this part of what Elsinore is responsible for? Controlling what SSR is supplying power so both arent on at the same time and tripping your breaker?

No, Elsinore does not assume that you purposefully allow your breaker to be overloaded. You should not allow more on a circuit then the circuit breaker can handle. Supporting this would be tantamount to enabling bad techniques that can kill.

 

[user 101620]

Startup script now works.

 

[Theodore18]

Startup script now works.

Great, thanks! Which issue is this fixing? Is this the issue some of us have had with the service script not working?

 

[wyzazz]

Startup script now works.

Awesome, thanks Doug!