Stc-1000+

[andrewmalizia]

Is there a reason why nobody hasn't just developed a shield with terminal blocks relays and a screen on it? Seems like since we have to purchase an arduino to flash anyways we could just work off of the arduino.

(I'm not belittling what alpha has done at all. It's phenomenal work. Just a lot of risk in getting an sic that actually works. )

 

[wbarber69]

Is there a reason why nobody hasn't just developed a shield with terminal blocks relays and a screen on it? Seems like since we have to purchase an arduino to flash anyways we could just work off of the arduino.

(I'm not belittling what alpha has done at all. It's phenomenal work. Just a lot of risk in getting an sic that actually works. )

Look up brewpi.

 

[mattd2]

Is there a reason why nobody hasn't just developed a shield with terminal blocks relays and a screen on it? Seems like since we have to purchase an arduino to flash anyways we could just work off of the arduino.

(I'm not belittling what alpha has done at all. It's phenomenal work. Just a lot of risk in getting an sic that actually works. )

BUt that would either require more DIY (soldering, etc.) or cost more than a STC1000

 

[wbarber69]

Quite a bit more. Although you can get a brewpi starter kit on amazon when you buy specific parts together for less than 35. But it doesn't include a screen

 

[andrewmalizia]

Well brewpis also require a pi. Sounds like alpha may have done some work to make that fact not true, but it just seems like there is a lot of wasted money on stc controllers that won't work. Screens and led displays are cheap.


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[alphaomega]

Is there a reason why nobody hasn't just developed a shield with terminal blocks relays and a screen on it? Seems like since we have to purchase an arduino to flash anyways we could just work off of the arduino.

(I'm not belittling what alpha has done at all. It's phenomenal work. Just a lot of risk in getting an sic that actually works. )

The STC is very compact, comes in a complete ready-to-use package, tried and true hardware, cheap. It has a lot going for it as I see it.

Look up brewpi.

By all means do. Elco and mdma have done great work on brewpi.
It is a matter of preference. If you want graphs, have money to spend go brewpi. If you like a compact, autonomous and cheap controller then look at stc-1000/stc-1000+.
Quite frankly it is getting boring have to justify stc-1000+ against brew pi. I started stc-1000+ because I was pretty happy with stc-1000. I just wanted profiles (which brewpi had running on the pi anyway).
If you prefer brewpi over stc-1000+, then good for you.

Well brewpis also require a pi. Sounds like alpha may have done some work to make that fact not true, but it just seems like there is a lot of wasted money on stc controllers that won't work. Screens and led displays are cheap.


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Will sells controllers on blackboxbrew.com. Flashed or unflashed, no need to waste money.

 

[andrewmalizia]

The STC is very compact, comes in a complete ready-to-use package, tried and true hardware, cheap. It has a lot going for it as I see it.







By all means do. Elco and mdma have done great work on brewpi.

It is a matter of preference. If you want graphs, have money to spend go brewpi. If you like a compact, autonomous and cheap controller then look at stc-1000/stc-1000+.

Quite frankly it is getting boring have to justify stc-1000+ against brew pi. I started stc-1000+ because I was pretty happy with stc-1000. I just wanted profiles (which brewpi had running on the pi anyway).

If you prefer brewpi over stc-1000+, then good for you.







Will sells controllers on blackboxbrew.com. Flashed or unflashed, no need to waste money.

I never meant to offend. And I appreciate your input on my questions. Just seems like half the posts on here are about the ability to obtain the correct STC. I've been following because I'm intrigued on the project. Haven't had a reason to check mine even since it's acting in single stage in my kegerator.


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[alphaomega]

I never meant to offend.

And you didn't.
The comment was aimed at wbarber69.

 

[mattd2]

...Quite frankly it is getting boring have to justify stc-1000+ against brew pi. I started stc-1000+ because I was pretty happy with stc-1000. I just wanted profiles (which brewpi had running on the pi anyway).
If you prefer brewpi over stc-1000+, then good for you...

I understand you annoyance! Why do some people not understand the concept of building something to a set of design parameters - What you need it to do and nothing more.
The STC1000+ does what it set out to do - end of story - no justification needed

 

[wbarber69]

And you didn't.

The comment was aimed at wbarber69.

I'm not advocating that one is better than the other. The guy literally asked for an arduino controller with a screen and a shield…

 

[alphaomega]

I apologize if I was overly harsh this morning (well it was morning here at least). I was in a bad mood, but that is no excuse.
However it is not the first time you bring up Brew Pi in this thread. Again it is an awesome project and I have nothing against it. But when you say you don't advocate one is better than the other, it don't feel that way to me.
If you you have a preference, then that is fine, I just don't really enjoy all the hard work I've done on this (for free) to be reduced to 'not quite as good as these other guys free work' in my own thread, because that was the feeling I got.
Well, maybe I'm just being whiny...

 

[wbarber69]

I use them both. Was just helping out the guy who seemed to be looking for something else.

 

[alphaomega]

Well, ok.
Sorry then.

 

[boogyman]

What's the latest on confirmed dealers selling the 1.0 version? I bought my stc-1000 (before this project was around) off ebay, but it's a 1.1 version. I'd like to pick up a 1.0 and give this a shot.

 

[orangehero]

What's the latest on confirmed dealers selling the 1.0 version? I bought my stc-1000 (before this project was around) off ebay, but it's a 1.1 version. I'd like to pick up a 1.0 and give this a shot.

9 posts above yours. There are no "confirmed" ebay or amazon sellers.

Will sells controllers on blackboxbrew.com. Flashed or unflashed, no need to waste money.

 

[boogyman]

9 posts above yours. There are no "confirmed" ebay or amazon sellers.

I'd like to take the more frugal approach (blackboxbrew is sold out anyway). Assuming I can get my hands on a v1.0 unit, I'll be good to go. Was just wondering if there has been consistent luck with a specific amazon or ebay seller (or some other source for the stc-1000 unit only).

 

[ClunkClunk]

I'd like to take the more frugal approach (blackboxbrew is sold out anyway). Assuming I can get my hands on a v1.0 unit, I'll be good to go. Was just wondering if there has been consistent luck with a specific amazon or ebay seller (or some other source for the stc-1000 unit only).

I was successful purchasing 2 STC-1000 that were v1.0 from this Amazon seller on August 23rd (Seller is "City Digital" in case it doesn't carry through on the URL):
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008KVCPH2/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I don't know if it'll continue to work, but it was worth the risk for my needs, and it paid off.

 

[orangehero]

I'd like to take the more frugal approach (blackboxbrew is sold out anyway).

The assembled controllers are out of stock but it looks like the flashed and unflashed stc-1000's are available. You can be frugal ordering from china, but you are taking a risk with any seller. None of them are consistent.

 

[wilconrad]

The assembled controllers are out of stock but it looks like the flashed and unflashed stc-1000's are available. You can be frugal ordering from china, but you are taking a risk with any seller. None of them are consistent.

Correct, I still have plenty of the flashed/flashable controllers available. Thanks.


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[boogyman]

Correct, I still have plenty of the flashed/flashable controllers available. Thanks.

Fair enough - Honestly, I didn't click on the link for the store with the big "Sold Out" words on the front page. Thanks for the info.

 

[wilconrad]

Fair enough - Honestly, I didn't click on the link for the store with the big "Sold Out" words on the front page. Thanks for the info.

Yeah, I suppose I should change that. I only have 20 or so units left , though, so not going out of my way to advertise them.


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[adam01]

2 questions.

1. Someone was looking at pining out the relay control to be able to drive 5 volt
things (fan?) when the relay is enabled. I can't find the response that talks about this.
Was this feasible ?

2. Alpha mentioned that a serial clock/data stream could be generated from the STC,
sending out the temperature to anything that was listening. Was this implemented ?

I've been having issues with my refrigerator icing up, due to all the moisture in the air.
I was looking at making a temp logger with a small screen to show trends. Just thoughts
on how to make use of what is available right now.

 

[jleiii]

2 questions.

1. Someone was looking at pining out the relay control to be able to drive 5 volt
things (fan?) when the relay is enabled. I can't find the response that talks about this.
Was this feasible ?

I was in on some discussion regarding relays, and bypassing them. The relay drive circuit is 12vdc, and not likely capable of driving a fan. You certainly could drive a 5vdc fan with the relay output contacts, but you'd have to supply the 5vdc.

 

[adam01]

Thanks.
I need 120v and 5/12volt outputs based on the same control for turning on the refrigerator and a fan.

So I'd have to add relays to the solution.

 

[jleiii]

Thanks.
I need 120v and 5/12volt outputs based on the same control for turning on the refrigerator and a fan.

So I'd have to add relays to the solution.

Not quite sure what you mean. If you use the relay output contacts to feed 120v to a duplex receptacle you can plug in the fridge and a 5v phone charger (ie USB charger) to run the fan. Done. When the STC calls for cooling the refrigerator and fan both come on. This assumes the fridge uses less than 10 amps. If more, your'll need a higher current external relay.

The 12v is what the STC uses to energize it's relay internally.

 

[adam01]

Yes, what you suggest is true. I have that setup mostly now with thermostat, SS relay, power strip.

I was trying to simplify fan power, figuring that there would be enough put out by the board
to drive a 20ma fan. This is because I have a 2 chamber fermentation cabinet and will
need 2 STCs and associated equipment.

If the board could drive the fans, then the system cleans up nicely. 120v power goes to each STC. STC outputs 120v for heater and fridge, and 12v to drive fans.

 

[jleiii]

.... and 12v to drive fans.

Not likely. The 12v relay drive circuit is designed to drive the relay, and nothing else. If you tap into it to drive the fans it's probably going to fail, or just not work.

You might be able to use the 12v supply (not 12v relay driver) but that would be on 100% of the time, even when the STC is 'off'.

 

[pietro811]

fantastic, thank you very much. I would like to ask you a favor. It would be possible to write a much more simple firmware, without stages, only the possibility to set via the buttons both the temperature and the time? thank you very much again.

 

[alphaomega]

fantastic, thank you very much. I would like to ask you a favor. It would be possible to write a much more simple firmware, without stages, only the possibility to set via the buttons both the temperature and the time? thank you very much again.

Sure it would be possible.
All the source code is open source and available on GitHub. I even provide hints for how to develop and perform the build in the user manual.
You are free to modify it to you liking.

 

[IslandLizard]

Yes, what you suggest is true. I have that setup mostly now with thermostat, SS relay, power strip.

I was trying to simplify fan power, figuring that there would be enough put out by the board
to drive a 20ma fan. This is because I have a 2 chamber fermentation cabinet and will
need 2 STCs and associated equipment.

If the board could drive the fans, then the system cleans up nicely. 120v power goes to each STC. STC outputs 120v for heater and fridge, and 12v to drive fans.

You can build your additional fan-powering circuit with 1 or 2 transistors and a few resistors, and drive it from the 12V relay tap. You can even build a timer/delay in it so it stays on longer, after the relay clicks off.