Stc-1000+

[alphaomega]

Alpha, wanted to say thanks again. I've been using the STC+ but only in limited way and finally ventured into profiles. The logging shows just how beautifully this thing operates (I also like it showing the frequency shift days 2-4 during exothermic fermentation). This has been just wonderful.

Thanks!
Glad you like it And thanks for sharing your experiences!

 

[wilconrad]

Some good news from the supplier I've been working with for these controllers; they were able to add a resistor and a 3-position terminal block to the board so that no physical mods will be needed in order to add the 2nd temp sensor. I've ordered 50pcs of these, along with 100 sensors, so will be offering them flashed w/ 2 sensors, ready to install, as soon as I receive them next week. Pics attached if you're interested.

 

[alphaomega]

Some good news from the supplier I've been working with for these controllers; they were able to add a resistor and a 3-position terminal block to the board so that no physical mods will be needed in order to add the 2nd temp sensor. I've ordered 50pcs of these, along with 100 sensors, so will be offering them flashed w/ 2 sensors, ready to install, as soon as I receive them next week. Pics attached if you're interested.

That my friend, is effing awesome... I can't tell you how sick I am of doing that manually, and I've only done 30 or so.
Big ups, Will!
Now, could you find some really cheap, 5pin, panel mount connector and corresponding plug with dupont connector in the other ends?
Right, now I'm choosing between RJ45 and and USB connectors. Really sick of soldering DIN connectors as well
Again, great work on getting that done! It would be really nice if they started doing that on all units produced

 

[smithabusa]

Wow, where there is a WILconrad, there is a way Nice work sir!

 

[HansEinar]

Alpha, one question.. I have programmed a few with just pressing the terminals together by hand. That works great, but if there is a glitch in the famus 20sec, will there be an error at the end? Asking another way, If the STC seems to operate correct and no error at end of programming is the programming ok then, or can there be a bad write?

 

[alphaomega]

Alpha, one question.. I have programmed a few with just pressing the terminals together by hand. That works great, but if there is a glitch in the famus 20sec, will there be an error at the end? Asking another way, If the STC seems to operate correct and no error at end of programming is the programming ok then, or can there be a bad write?

Believe it or not, but I dont really remember what happens if there is an error (ie connection is lost) during programming. At the least you will get an error message in the console, but I think programming stops also.
So, check the output in the console if you're not sure.

 

[KindofBlues71]

Some good news from the supplier I've been working with for these controllers; they were able to add a resistor and a 3-position terminal block to the board so that no physical mods will be needed in order to add the 2nd temp sensor. I've ordered 50pcs of these, along with 100 sensors, so will be offering them flashed w/ 2 sensors, ready to install, as soon as I receive them next week. Pics attached if you're interested.

Damn, I wish I had waited before buying two 1.0 units. Would you be willing to trade my two v1.0 units (still in the box/never used) for two of the 2 sensor units (plus your added costs of course)? Also, do your units have the header thing hardwired for future firmware upgrades?

 

[wilconrad]

Damn, I wish I had waited before buying two 1.0 units. Would you be willing to trade my two v1.0 units (still in the box/never used) for two of the 2 sensor units (plus your added costs of course)?

Sure, send me an email once I have the 2 sensor units in.

Also, do your units have the header thing hardwired for future firmware upgrades?

No

 

[orangehero]

Are you still flashing them yourself? Why not just have them do it for you as well?

 

[wilconrad]

Are you still flashing them yourself? Why not just have them do it for you as well?

Tried that, no dice. They weren't able to figure it out and communication is difficult.


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[adam01]

Its best to not get them to flash the controllers. SW control is retained here.

 

[alphaomega]

Tried that, no dice. They weren't able to figure it out and communication is difficult.

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Bummer. Though, I could see some reasons as to why they wouldn't. To not 'contaminate' production line, they'd prolly have to do this by hand afterwards. And that might require a technician.

Its best to not get them to flash the controllers. SW control is retained here.

No. Having someone else doing the flashing will only mean less work. STC-1000+ is open, nothing is gonna change that.

 

[RocketBrewer]

mats (or anyone else who might be able to answer),
I'm attempting to try the dual sensor set up, but have a few questions.

1. I really don't want to try soldering the tiny SMD resistor. Will this resistor work?

2. If so, could I solder it remotely between GND and ICSPCLK at my MIDI panel connector that I use for flashing?

3. If that works for the resistor, could I still install a 3 terminal connector like this to connect the thermistor?

4. When using the 3 terminal connector for two thermistors, would they both share the center connection?

5. Am I correct that I should still be able to flash a unit set up like this without having to remove anything?

6. You reference connecting the thermistor between Vcc and ICSPCLK. I hadn't noticed it before, but in the pictures I believe it's shown as Vdd. Am I correct that these are one and the same?

I hope this all makes some sense as to what i'm trying to do. Once again, thanks so much for all the work you've done on this project. Hope that Mom and Baby are both doing well too.

Matt

 

[alphaomega]

1. Yes, but overkill. A regular 1/4W 1% will do.
2. Yes. As long as the resistor is between GND and ICSPCLK you're golden. Doesn't matter where it is physically located.
3. Yes.
4. Yes.
5. Yes.
6. Yes.

Thanks! We're all just fine. Just glad there isn't a zombie outbreak atm, 'cause we could easily be misstaken for the living dead about now *yawn*

 

[balrog]

1. We're all just fine. Just glad there isn't a zombie outbreak atm, 'cause we could easily be misstaken for the living dead about now *yawn*

Ah, I recall those days, some 18 years ago, so well! I wish I could tell you it gets better, but there always seems to be something, if only staying up to watch them sleep.

 

[Bigdaddyale]

What is the size of the SMD resistor needed? 1/4W 1%

 

[RocketBrewer]

Thanks mats! Exactly what I was hoping to hear. I just ordered some 1/4W resistors. 200pcs delivered from China for a little over a buck. Seems like shipping would be that much! I'll have a bunch left over if anyone needs some.

 

[wbarber69]

If a Chinese company charges shipping it's just so they can get more money. Since the u.s. is in debt to china right now we have an agreement with then that any shipping to the u.s. is waived. If you go on eBay you'll notice that most Chinese sellers have free shipping. At most it should be a dollar.

 

[wilconrad]

Since the u.s. is in debt to china right now we have an agreement with then that any shipping to the u.s. is waived.

That's an interesting claim... source?


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[orangehero]

Free shipping on ebay is a marketing tool. It doesn't mean the shipping literally doesn't cost anything. Or that the US government pays any and all shipping companies for it.

 

[wbarber69]

Just an observation. I buy a lot of stuff from china and it's not from eBay. I've also shipped things to china and I can tell you that it costs a hell of a lot more that a dollar.

 

[alphaomega]

What is the size of the SMD resistor needed? 1/4W 1%

The size is 0603. The ones I got were 1%, 0.1W and they've done nicely.
Ideally, you should probably try to match the resistor with the one already soldered in (measure them). Maybe you should even try to match the probes. I haven't, as I don't really consider the second probe all that important, but of the units I've done this far I've observed a difference of about 2F worst case, which I think is ok
If you have a multimeter, and get more than one resistor (which I think you pretty much have to, unless you recycle one), then I guess you might as well check a few resistors and see if you can find one that is a little closer.

Cheers!

 

[nab911]

So I went to check my keezer the other day and the temp was reading 86... i open it up and everything is frozen. After thawing, I put the temp sensor in a glass of ice water and it is reading 150... wtf? Anyone seen this before? Is it possible some buttons got hit when building it and I didn't notice or is the controller bad? Its the docooler version of this.

 

[wbarber69]

…

 

[smithabusa]

Id check your tc.connections to the terminals, make sure.making good contact first

 

[Spellman]

What firmware are you using? It is also possible the sensor is bad. Try another if you have one, if not they are super cheap on ebay. Either way it might be good to have a few as spares.

 

[alphaomega]

So I went to check my keezer the other day and the temp was reading 86... i open it up and everything is frozen. After thawing, I put the temp sensor in a glass of ice water and it is reading 150... wtf? Anyone seen this before? Is it possible some buttons got hit when building it and I didn't notice or is the controller bad? Its the docooler version of this.

Ok, so whatever happend, it is at least not my fault That is not an stc and it can't run stc-1000+.
Basically I know nothing about that one, but I've had weird stuff like that happen to other thermometers when moisture has gotten into the probe. That sucker might not be waterproof...

 

[wbarber69]

I know with some RTDs that only use 2 wires this can happen if you hook them up backwards. But I haven't ever heard of it with this kind of controller. Usually only with the pid type.

 

[nab911]

Yeah, I guess I should have noted that I had the thing dangled in a cup of water because I thought that is what everyone did to make sure the temp it read was more accurate to the beer temp but water most likely got in and killed it. I put an order on ebay for one but everything is from china and will be at least 2 weeks out. I don't mind paying a little more or making one if I could source the thing locally. Any ideas?

 

[smithabusa]

Are you looking for the standard black sensor for stc1000? 1 of the 50 controllers I received a week ago has a non functional speake so didn't build it into a full assembled unit. I was going to sell that unit flashed with 1.06 for 15 shipped. Didn't have any takers yet so I could donate the sensor from it to you.

Greg