Picobrew Z

[CltcPrd]

Including a non released firmware (v0.0.119) for the Z series which includes full autonomous functions without the need of picobrew.com

If it's non-released how do you get it?

 

[Trevor Mack]

If it's non-released how do you get it?

Intercepted the https traffic and found a naming pattern in azure storage and downloaded. I'm building out a python module for mitmproxy and will share in next few days.

 

[Sheep2045]

Unfortunately, my Z decided to go dark during the rinse cycle after my third brewing session. Dark means the display stays off and it doesn't respond to any inputs.
A good and capable friend hooked his laptop up to the serial port of the main micro controller, the ESP32, yielding the following result:

-----
rst:0xc (SW_CPU_RESET),boot:0x13 (SPI_FAST_FLASH_BOOT)
configsip: 0, SPIWP:0xee
clk_drv:0x00,q_drv:0x00,d_drv:0x00,cs0_drv:0x00,hd_drv:0x00,wp_drv:0x00
mode:\DIO, clock div:1
load:0x3fff0018,len:4
load:0x3fff001c,len:1100
load:0x40078000,len:10088
load:0x40080400,len:6380
entry 0x400806a4

DBG ***********************************************************************
DBG * ZSeries *
DBG ***********************************************************************
[D>][ 0.06][CORE][Core.h:1321] setup BEGIN 0
[D_][ 0.07][CORE][Core.h:264] screenPower() True
[I_][ 0.07][SYST][System.h:291] scan()
[D>][ 0.07][I2C][System.h:91] scan BEGIN 0
[IV][ 0.09][I2C] Name = I2CA
[IV][ 0.09][I2C] Expected = 0x19 0x34 0x76
[IV][ 0.09][I2C] Found = 0x19 0x34 0x76
[IV][ 0.09][I2C] Missing =
[IV][ 0.09][I2C] hasError = False
[D<][ 0.10][I2C][System.h:91] scan END 24
[D>][ 0.10][I2C][System.h:91] scan BEGIN 0
[IV][ 0.12][I2C] Name = I2CB
[IV][ 0.12][I2C] Expected = 0x40
[IV][ 0.12][I2C] Found =
[IV][ 0.12][I2C] Missing = 0x40
[IV][ 0.12][I2C] hasError = True
[D<][ 0.12][I2C][System.h:91] scan END 19
[31m[E_][ 0.12][SYSST][SystemState.h:104] setError I2CB [0m
[D>][ 0.13][BSL][Msp.h:666] _setupMsp BEGIN 0
[IV][ 0.15][MSPA] CRC_result = 24539
----

He managed to trace this further. A second micro controller, a Texas Instruments MSP430G2553 is hooked up to the I2CB, and is the device that fails to probe and stops the boot.

As customer service didn't (and can't) respond further, has anybody seen a similar error? Can you dump the TI microcontroller's firmware or is it locked? If you can dump it, our plan would be to buy a new TI and flash it with the dumped image.
Alternatively, does anybody know if the Z firmware contains the firmware for the second micro controller, too?

Thank you & Cheers,
Sheep2045

 

[Trevor Mack]

I'm not familiar with the secondary controller firmware, but have you attempted to boot into the service mode (holding rotary dial during bootup sequence)?

 

[Sheep2045]

No, I wasn't aware of that option. Going to try that today or tomorrow with the serial console hooked up. Thanks!

 

[Trevor Mack]

No, I wasn't aware of that option. Going to try that today or tomorrow with the serial console hooked up. Thanks!

It boots up to a service menu offline. Here there are several configurations, I'm not certain what they all do. There are pump and hex loop tests and other options to configure the device. Maybe this skips some bootup sequence checks that are failing on your machine, I'm not sure though.

 

[TREY206]

I had to replace the glycol on my Z today after the boiler failed. It was pretty easy once I figured out where all the hoses were going and which one to burp. The picobrew troubleshooting wasnt even close! Error 6 and error 8.

 

[macgyuver]

I thought the Z series was running a closed water system not a glycol system?

I know the original ZyMatic was a glycol system.

I had to replace the glycol on my Z today after the boiler failed. It was pretty easy once I figured out where all the hoses were going and which one to burp. The picobrew troubleshooting wasnt even close! Error 6 and error 8.

 

[jlhammond]

I've been a picobrew user for a couple of years and have had the Z1 for almost a year. I'm running into some maintenance issues and could use some help diagnosing what part is failing. I've used the picobrew.com troubleshooting tree but it doesn't help. Basically, my step filter is overflowing. I've cleaned out everything, even replaced the ball lock connectors and internal pumps. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

[macgyuver]

Sounds like it might be the pickup tube and gasket. Need to make sure the tube is seated in the gasket properly and the gasket is not cracked or ripped. If that does not have a good seal it will not pickup from the step filter. If that is all good it may be the T adapter that the gasket seals to. Several people have had those break in the top of the unit.

I've been a picobrew user for a couple of years and have had the Z1 for almost a year. I'm running into some maintenance issues and could use some help diagnosing what part is failing. I've used the picobrew.com troubleshooting tree but it doesn't help. Basically, my step filter is overflowing. I've cleaned out everything, even replaced the ball lock connectors and internal pumps. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

[Mutant]

I've also had issues with the machine build not running the tubing correctly and it collapses because of a kink. If that is the issue, then it is just a simple rerouting issue.

 

[jlhammond]

Sounds like it might be the pickup tube and gasket. Need to make sure the tube is seated in the gasket properly and the gasket is not cracked or ripped. If that does not have a good seal it will not pickup from the step filter. If that is all good it may be the T adapter that the gasket seals to. Several people have had those break in the top of the unit.

Many thanks for the quick response and advice. I replaced the t adapter,, gasket, and ensured the tube is seated. See attached.

when opened, I noticed some slight charring and lose wire onheating element. See attached. I cleaned it up and reseated the pin, marked in pic.

am running a clean cycle now. I’ve only had overflow problems when brewing. Also attached is the last cycle. I’m concerned about the drop in temps. What do you think could cause this?

 

[jlhammond]

Many thanks for the quick response and advice. I replaced the t adapter,, gasket, and ensured the tube is seated. See attached.

when opened, I noticed some slight charring and lose wire onheating element. See attached. I cleaned it up and reseated the pin, marked in pic.

am running a clean cycle now. I’ve only had overflow problems when brewing. Also attached is the last cycle. I’m concerned about the drop in temps. What do you think could cause this?

Also, I notice during circulation and pass through, the step filter slowly fills up. Keg is still getting a good stream via the gas in connection and no hoses show blockage.

 

[macgyuver]

If it is circulation water and still filling up then there is either a leak somewhere causing it not to pull/push the amount it is supposed to or there is a blockage somewhere. I would double check all hoses inside, make sure all the seals are good and lubed, make sure the ball lock connectors are cleaned of debris. If it still continues to have issues pull the pump head and make sure it is clean. The water circulation for these machines are calibrated to a certain amount. This is how they keep the grain bed wet and submerged when brewing so the water doesn't just channel through. Sorry for the late replay have not had time to brew or get on there to check up.

Also, I notice during circulation and pass through, the step filter slowly fills up. Keg is still getting a good stream via the gas in connection and no hoses show blockage.

 

[macgyuver]

I have also seen ball lock ends cracked that affect the flow as well as the in-line filter housing on the hose. The crack will allow air to be sucked in and lower the flow rates.

 

[Don Burcham]

I've also had issues with the machine build not running the tubing correctly and it collapses because of a kink. If that is the issue, then it is just a simple rerouting issue.

What hoses are you talking about, and were do you reroute too.

 

[Don Burcham]

I had to replace the glycol on my Z today after the boiler failed. It was pretty easy once I figured out where all the hoses were going and which one to burp. The picobrew troubleshooting wasnt even close! Error 6 and error 8.

Were did you refill at?

 

[jlhammond]

If it is circulation water and still filling up then there is either a leak somewhere causing it not to pull/push the amount it is supposed to or there is a blockage somewhere. I would double check all hoses inside, make sure all the seals are good and lubed, make sure the ball lock connectors are cleaned of debris. If it still continues to have issues pull the pump head and make sure it is clean. The water circulation for these machines are calibrated to a certain amount. This is how they keep the grain bed wet and submerged when brewing so the water doesn't just channel through. Sorry for the late replay have not had time to brew or get on there to check up.

Many thanks for the details. I’ve checked and replaced everything but the gas line. I’ve got extra hose and will replace and recheck that.

 

[Rudder2]

Hello Everyone, I'm glad to see such an active community to help with the PicoBrew Z! I was wandering if any of y'all would know where I could source a Boiler Temperature Probe. Mine just gave out for some reason. I Plugged the Drain Temp Probe into the HEX spot and it read correctly then I plugged the Boiler Temp Probe back into the HEX spot and it reads -28*C. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Found so many parts for the Z on eBay but not the one I needed. Thank you again.

 

[macgyuver]

What hoses are you talking about, and were do you reroute too.

In the top where the pumps and the valves are. the hoses can kink and stop the flow, specially if there is still some wort left behind. This is also where you will refill the glycol or water depending on what you want to put in it.

 

[Mutant]

I hadn't been on the website for months. It now says: "Closed for business"

 

[macgyuver]

I hadn't been on the website for months. It now says: "Closed for business"

Yeah company was unable to make its payments to the creditors, so it was bought by a creditor and is now up for sale. They had online auctions for equipment that was still on hand. Now the servers are up for an unspecified time while the creditors look for someone to buy the company.

 

[Thorrak]

Yeah company was unable to make its payments to the creditors, so it was bought by a creditor and is now up for sale. They had online auctions for equipment that was still on hand. Now the servers are up for an unspecified time while the creditors look for someone to buy the company.

Anyone want to go in with me to make an offer to buy the domain and software? Anyone?

 

[Buck*49]

I hadn't been on the website for months. It now says: "Closed for business"

They also made the PicoBrew online community support unavailable. They previously took it off the menu, but link was still active. As of Dec 9th, community support link is no longer active.

 

[Anyhowe]

I wish I had a backup step filter

 

[Trevor Mack]

Anyone want to go in with me to make an offer to buy the domain and software? Anyone?

What would you think it would be worth to you? Then think what it might be worth to a millionaire that was losing millions of $$$ on PB bet... Doubt you will meet in the middle

 

[Thorrak]

What would you think it would be worth to you? Then think what it might be worth to a millionaire that was losing millions of $$$ on PB bet... Doubt you will meet in the middle

You don’t become a millionaire by not picking up $10 lying in the street!

 

[Anyhowe]

You don’t become a millionaire by not picking up $10 lying in the street!

A million is just not much any more. I’m out, unless I can get a new step filter.

 

[Rudder2]

A million is just not much any more. I’m out, unless I can get a new step filter.

I hear ya. I would like to get an extra step filter or two for my PicoBrew Z. My PicoBrew S's step filter is holding up great after brewing twice a week for 3 years.

 

[macgyuver]

There were several step filters on ebay at one point, not sure if there are anymore or not. I know some of the employees that were let go picked up a lot of items from the auction and are slowly letting most of it trickle out on to ebay so everyone has a chance to pick extras up.