Tilt readings...after calibration

[hilljack13]

I have 4 Tilt hydrometers. I noticed they were reading 4 points lower than my refractometer so, calibrated all 4 at three points, 1.00, 1.060, and 1.120. All good! Well, I did a 1 gal yesterday and the OG was 1.061 which was 1 point higher than expected. However, the Tilt showed 1.057. 4 points lower??? I just added the calibration point and Tilt was good at 1.061. This morning I check the Tilt reading and it was reporting 1.065, 4 points again, only high this time. Temps were different. Starting temp was 78.1F and current showing 50F. Didn't think there would be such a discrepancy within standard ferm temps.

Anyone having these issues with Tilt readings. I get they are not exact and should only be used to monitor fermentation to FG, but when going through calibration I would expect the numbers to be a bit closer at least. And why is magic number always 4

 

[mashdar]

I do not have any tilt hydrometers, but my impression is that they're most useful for tracking change, and not absolute values.

 

[kevin58]

^^^ This ^^^
I bought two Tilt's used and I'm glad I didn't pay full price.

 

[brewSJ]

Calibration is done in software, not on the Tilt. If the calibration isn’t applied correctly that’s a software issue, not a hardware one.

 

[Airborneguy]

I’ve noticed something similar. It will show me a calibrated number and the large gravity reading, always 4 points between them as you’re seeing. So I just assume the middle.

 

[hilljack13]

I still get my FG with hydrometer. I got a discount on mine as well, new. 20% for military.
At least for now the temp has stabilized and reading is 1.061. Some fermentation has started but not enough for bubbles.

 

[dmtaylor]

My Tilt is so wonky, doesn't hold calibration for nuthin', I really use it mainly to see when fermentation is finished and don't place any faith in the actual readings. My most recent batch was off by 7 points compared to a traditional hydrometer even after trying to calibrate it. And I'm pretty anal about calibration stuff too, more than just about anybody. Don't trust the Tilt, for specific gravity anyway. At least the thermometer is accurate!

 

[jerrylotto]

For a while I was calibrating my tilts with my phone and using my tablet to monitor fermentation. I didn't realize that the calibration didn't carry between the two devices. When I finally figured this out, I used the tablet to calibrate and monitor. I get a pretty accurate reading from either of my tilts. The only problem I have now is that yeast from the krausen has a tendency to stick to the outside of the tilt which throws off the calibration. Since I always use a hydrometer to take a final gravity reading and a refractometer to take the OG anyway, this is not much of a problem.

 

[bike2brew]

The only time I have had issue with my Tilt is when I tried to calibrate them so I use each of them pre-calibrated without issue. My refractomer generally reads higher than the Tilt but I use the Tilt to establish my baseline OG.

 

[Whisky River]

The only time I have had issue with my Tilt is when I tried to calibrate them so I use each of them pre-calibrated without issue. My refractomer generally reads higher than the Tilt but I use the Tilt to establish my baseline OG.

I have had a similar experience. Mine are usually very stable and reasonably accurate as long as I don’t mess with them too much. Sometimes one is off by a point or two but it’s easy enough for me to correct for that in my head.

 

[bike2brew]

Yes, and others have said previously there is nothing aboslute with instrumentation. Everything is relative to what we estblish as the baseline. I can use a hydrometer, but it takes 10ml or so each reading, and my eyes have difficulty reading between the lines, the refractometer is relative to its own issues but the lines are larger so I can generally land on a solid number. I like the digital readout for the Tilt and I am willing to accept its reading generally 3-4 lower than the refractometer. My AG recipes are often at slight variance from the predicted Brewer's Friend and I have begun accepting the outcome "as is" and resisting the need to correct my OG w/ sugar or DME to approach a specific ABV. Anymore it doesn't matter whether my resulting beer is 5.7% or 6.2% if it has the right color, flavor, body, head retention, etc. Given I m a relative newb with AG brewing, adopting a Zen approach and a path to perfection everything is good as long as it's drinkable and enjoyable.

 

[hilljack13]

I don't mind, and don't expect all these measurements to be exact. When I noticed a 4 point difference between the refractometer and tilt I figured to try and calibrate. Still 4 points lower on the Tilt. At least it is consistent.

 

[pletchdl]

I run a Tilt with every batch, but agree the readings are typically a little lower than refractometer or hydrometer readings. Tilt is useful to me for determining progress of fermentation, to avoid having to pull a sample. Have also suspected the Kraüsen sticking to the top of the Tilt affects the reading

 

[hilljack13]

Yeah, we got some good krausen

 

[CascadesBrewer]

Anyone having these issues with Tilt readings. I get they are not exact and should only be used to monitor fermentation to FG, but when going through calibration I would expect the numbers to be a bit closer at least. And why is magic number always 4

What I do, which seems to work well is..
1) Calibrate the tilt in water to verify that it is reading 1.000. I don't think you have to do this every brew day, as it seems to stick well, but it is easy to verify.
2) At the start of fermentation, delete any non-1.000 calibration readings and set the calibration to my hydrometer reading.

With these steps, I find that my FG is usually within one gravity point of my hydrometer reading (assuming it is not impacted by additions such as hops).

Note, I just tweak the calibration settings in the app. I think you can actually push calibration settings to the Tilts, but I have not messed with this.

 

[hilljack13]

What I do, which seems to work well is..
1) Calibrate the tilt in water to verify that it is reading 1.000. I don't think you have to do this every brew day, as it seems to stick well, but it is easy to verify.
2) At the start of fermentation, delete any non-1.000 calibration readings and set the calibration to my hydrometer reading.

With these steps, I find that my FG is usually within one gravity point of my hydrometer reading (assuming it is not impacted by additions such as hops).

Note, I just tweak the calibration settings in the app. I think you can actually push calibration settings to the Tilts, but I have not messed with this.

Wow, I just did this. Brewed my second 1 gal since Saturday and yet again the Tilt was 4 points low. "Calibrated" to the wort based off refracto measurement.

 

[CascadesBrewer]

Wow, I just did this. Brewed my second 1 gal since Saturday and yet again the Tilt was 4 points low. "Calibrated" to the wort based off refracto measurement.

Maybe make sure the Tilt is floating free. If it is touching the side of the fermenter or one of the ridges, it will throw off the reading. In any case, I don't fully trust the gravity readings of the Tilt, but they are very handy for seeing when the gravity flat lines, and having a temp probe in the beer is more handy than I expected.

 

[bike2brew]

Yes, I too float my tilt in water/star San to make sure it's on and reading @ zero before it's in the wort and I start the logging. This has worked well enough without having to do a calibration.

 

[Cure for all ales]

I have three Pills and two Tilts. After mixed results with the Tilts, I tossed both of them in the same 5-gallon batch to see how they would differ. I had calibrated them prior, but reverted back to the "factory" setting as I found that, with that calibration, both of their readings represented the correct O.G. @ 1.065

...fast-forward 3 weeks...

Yellow Tilt = 1.007
Black Tilit = 1.015

in the same batch...
according to these readings, it will either be full-bodied or dry

perhaps, in a future brew, I will toss a Pill and a Tilt into the same batch to see how they differ. Or I will put the Tilts on e-bay

 

[hotbeer]

Isn't there a old adage or fable about a man with two Tilt's compared to a man with just one Tilt?

For any RaptPill, Tilt, iSpindle or what ever you wish to float in your FV, the relative information is the important thing. It'll show a correct enough graph showing the rate of fermentation. And when the SG quits falling and is the same reading for 3 days, then it'll be known that fermentation is over and FG is reached.

Doesn't matter what those electronic gizmos show. I still check it with a conventional glass bulb hydrometer to know what the SG actually is for FG as well as OG.

 

[Witherby]

For a while I was calibrating my tilts with my phone and using my tablet to monitor fermentation. I didn't realize that the calibration didn't carry between the two devices. When I finally figured this out, I used the tablet to calibrate and monitor. I get a pretty accurate reading from either of my tilts. The only problem I have now is that yeast from the krausen has a tendency to stick to the outside of the tilt which throws off the calibration. Since I always use a hydrometer to take a final gravity reading and a refractometer to take the OG anyway, this is not much of a problem.

I think this is my problem! I calibrate with my phone but then I monitor with a different old phone. I'm hopefully brewing this weekend and I will recalibrate with the old phone that I use to monitor.

I absolutely love my Tilt, even if the gravity readings aren't completely accurate.

 

[dmtaylor]

I have three Pills and two Tilts. After mixed results with the Tilts, I tossed both of them in the same 5-gallon batch to see how they would differ. I had calibrated them prior, but reverted back to the "factory" setting as I found that, with that calibration, both of their readings represented the correct O.G. @ 1.065

...fast-forward 3 weeks...

Yellow Tilt = 1.007
Black Tilit = 1.015

in the same batch...
according to these readings, it will either be full-bodied or dry

perhaps, in a future brew, I will toss a Pill and a Tilt into the same batch to see how they differ. Or I will put the Tilts on e-bay

 

[Cure for all ales]

View attachment 858665

It's a really fun hobby! I'm glad there's a space like this for home brewers to help each other and exchange ideas! As you likely noticed, I'm new here, lol.

 

[dmtaylor]

It's a really fun hobby! I'm glad there's a space like this for home brewers to help each other and exchange ideas! As you likely noticed, I'm new here, lol.

Welcome to the forum -- I had not noticed that you are brand new! AND FROM WISCONSIN -- WOOT WOOT!!

 

[day_trippr]

There goes the neighborhood

 

[CascadesBrewer]

Yellow Tilt = 1.007
Black Tilit = 1.015

I do notice that my Tilts often end up with a big glob of yeast on the top of them. I have to think that is impacting the reading. They are very handy for telling when fermentation has leveled off. Often my FG is spot on (or within a point), and sometimes it is off by 6+ points. Having a temp reading from inside the fermenter is also handy.

 

[hilljack13]

my Tilts often end up with a big glob of yeast on the top of them

I see this too. My tilts are normally 4 points low so I just re-cal to my refractomter when starting a new fermentation. That said, my last brew was WAY off. Tilt showed it finished 1.011 and hydrometer 1.020

 

[refect]

I have one tilt. I bought it to see how it goes. The first two uses I loved it. The OG and FG were pretty damn close to my refractometer and hydrometer. I used it in a lager to help determine when to start my d-rest. Worked great for this! As the batches went on, I noticed the temperature and gravity reading were all over the place. I've messed with calibrations and what not, but it just got worse (Temp and gravity). I've stopped using it since and have no plan to buy any others, but I would like to use it again.

Is there a way to do a factory reset on it and see if that helps. I'm not sure if pulling the battery will reset everything back to how it was when I first opened it and followed the instructions to set it in water for initial calibration? First two uses were great, but not so much after that, so if I could reset it back to how it was when I first opened it then that might help?

 

[jerrylotto]

I have one tilt. I bought it to see how it goes. The first two uses I loved it. The OG and FG were pretty damn close to my refractometer and hydrometer. I used it in a lager to help determine when to start my d-rest. Worked great for this! As the batches went on, I noticed the temperature and gravity reading were all over the place. I've messed with calibrations and what not, but it just got worse (Temp and gravity). I've stopped using it since and have no plan to buy any others, but I would like to use it again.

Is there a way to do a factory reset on it and see if that helps. I'm not sure if pulling the battery will reset everything back to how it was when I first opened it and followed the instructions to set it in water for initial calibration? First two uses were great, but not so much after that, so if I could reset it back to how it was when I first opened it then that might help?

Make sure that the battery is not drained. That has been the source of most of my problems with the tilt.

 

[Peebee]

... Is there a way to do a factory reset on it and see if that helps ...

Answer: No!

Tilts only send raw data. They are "factory calibrated" so the data is making some sense to what reads it, but it's your client software (be it on a mobile phone, computer, Raspberry Pi, etc.) that does the translating and can be calibrated. Calibrate the client software on one device you use and unless you copy the calibration to any other device you use, it will return a different result.

Delete the calibration on your errant device (be it a mobile phone, computer, Raspberry Pi, etc.) and create it again (or copy it from a device that has been set up right).

You cannot make a Tilt read data you think you send it. It transmits ... it does not receive. You cannot mess up the configuration on the Tilt itself (without more likely trashing it). You can randomly change it a bit by changing the battery (redistributes weight). Stop trying to change the Tilt itself ... it won't be interested!