TiltBridge - Tilt-to-WiFi Device for Tilt Hydrometer

[Thorrak]

I’m on a Mac, as is the author of BrewFlasher. Use Chrome, it works fine.

Safari also works I think. Firefox… unfortunately refuses to support WebSerial.

 

[DavidWood2115]

Thanks.
Doesn't work in Safari.
Reading the logs works in Chrome. Downloading doesn't.
Log is somewhat more readable:
-^R:^F[^P^OlL^X^PE (640) esp_core_dump_flash: No core duѥѥfound!

E (640) esp_core_dump_flash: No core dump partition found!



E (31) SPIFFS: mount failed, -10025

ets Jul 29 2019 12:21:46



rst:0x1 (POWERON_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

modeIO, clock div:2

load:0x3fff0018,len:4

load:0x3fff001c,len:1044

load:0x40078000,len:10044

load:0x40080400,len:5872

entry 0x400806ac

E (640) esp_core_dump_flash: No core duѥѥfound!

E (640) esp_core_dump_flash: No core dump partition found!



E (31) SPIFFS: mount failed, -10025

 

[DavidWood2115]

Attempting to flash using web.brewflasher.com gives the following error:
Installation failed
Failed to initialize. Try resetting your device or holding the BOOT button while clicking INSTALL.

esptool can talk to the device (and underlies brew flasher, as I understand it) but something is either not being loaded to the right place or is not being built correctly. And I am not clear why brew flasher can't talk to the device, but that's why I tried plan C.

 

[bloombrews]

OK, I was a programmer back in the early 80s and can read C code well enough to see that when the http server can't find a file it redirects to "404.htm", which it also can't find. Safari is wise enough to terminate the infinite loop and give the (minimally) helpful message.

I'm guessing this means that the file system didn't get built or downloaded correctly (which also explains why trying to reset the wifi using http://tiltbridge.local/wifireset doesn't work).

I'll keep digging, but would love some help.

DAMN! i GO back to the !970's ... Still remember, hooking up my COBOL, to the Telephone Line, and hearing the connection! Hacked the ****, out of my College... Robert Morris College, (now U))
My Print-out, was on Thermal heat Tape..... all black and white, of course

 

[LBussy]

Some dev boards do not go into boot mode correctly. There are two buttons on your board, one is reset and one is boot. In theory you should be able to hit boot and flash.

You’re on the right path, the firmware is not getting uploaded or not correctly.

 

[DavidWood2115]

You’re on the right path, the firmware is not getting uploaded or not correctly.

Problem solved. Predictably, the problem was out-of-date documentation. The instructions for installing tiltbridge using esptool.py don't match the partition table in 4mb_no_ota.csv; the SPIFFS binary should be downloaded to 0x330000. Once I fixed that, everything works fine.

 

[LBussy]

That’s why I suggested BrewFlasher. It handles that automatically. Glad you got it going.

 

[Thorrak]

Problem solved. Predictably, the problem was out-of-date documentation. The instructions for installing tiltbridge using esptool.py don't match the partition table in 4mb_no_ota.csv; the SPIFFS binary should be downloaded to 0x330000. Once I fixed that, everything works fine.

Ah - thanks for that. Instructions have now been updated to correct.

 

[UncleD]

@bloombrews sorry for the delayed response, been really busy lately! The QR code is generated by the tiltbridge UI and the Android app parses the GUID from it and adds it to your account. If the QR code isn't showing up, I would agree with @Thorrak that perhaps you have an issue with the firmware version installed? I hope you're liking the app, sorry I haven't been able to commit time to more features. Cheers!

 

[bloombrews]

@bloombrews sorry for the delayed response, been really busy lately! The QR code is generated by the tiltbridge UI and the Android app parses the GUID from it and adds it to your account. If the QR code isn't showing up, I would agree with @Thorrak that perhaps you have an issue with the firmware version installed? I hope you're liking the app, sorry I haven't been able to commit time to more features. Cheers!

Keep on working, UncleD! (no @... dont want to disturb My Rent-an_Uncle ) That is more important, then "Our" .... "problems"!
No money here...... Just lots of LOVE, from Brewer's, that damn appreciates ALL of the work, that is here on HBT, for us Freeloader's, to soak up.... and make better beer.
As Always, I have too many Iron's, in the Fire, and have several Tiltbridges,with 2 running RPi"s.
One RPi with BPR running, and FT on the other....
My take-away, from your response is, I may have flashed the wrong fermware...?
The QR code just never "showed up", that last 2 ESP32, that I Brewflashed.
I am still running the first 2 ESP32 boards successfully, ....
just have to uninstall, then reinstall the Tilts, after I end logging, stop the Controller. No problem, just my lack of WTF I am doing!
You Gentlemen Rock!
Work ON!

 

[Speedracer]

So ive been trying to find some hardware for the tilt bridge. I see some on amazon and heltec. But am wanting to buy 3-5 to build several for our brew club. I have bought parts from aliexpress in the past and that seems like the cheapest after shipping as you get stacking shipping there. Is this one compatible with the firmware? I like the addition wifi antenna as well for longer range.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256...!sea!US!3295362257&curPageLogUid=ZtgWN78WD95s

 

[Thorrak]

So ive been trying to find some hardware for the tilt bridge. I see some on amazon and heltec. But am wanting to buy 3-5 to build several for our brew club. I have bought parts from aliexpress in the past and that seems like the cheapest after shipping as you get stacking shipping there. Is this one compatible with the firmware? I like the addition wifi antenna as well for longer range.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256...!sea!US!3295362257&curPageLogUid=ZtgWN78WD95s

No, unfortunately. That’s based on an ESP32-S3, which a different chipset than TiltBridge is designed for.

If you see ESP32-C3, ESP32-S2, ESP32-S3, or ESP32-C6, it probably won’t work.

 

[chuckgl]

Has anyone tried the Particle Argon (Argon)? The specs say it has a ESP32. But what is most interesting is separate external antenna connections for WiFi and Bluetooth. This would allow an antenna inside a fermentation chamber for the Tilt and one outside the chamber for WiFi. I have not been able to find another ESP32 with two external antenna.

 

[Thorrak]

Has anyone tried the Particle Argon (Argon)? The specs say it has a ESP32. But what is most interesting is separate external antenna connections for WiFi and Bluetooth. This would allow an antenna inside a fermentation chamber for the Tilt and one outside the chamber for WiFi. I have not been able to find another ESP32 with two external antenna.

The reason it has separate antennas is because it has separate processors for each as well. The issue is that TiltBridge is designed to run on a single (ESP32) processor — this would require adaptation to work on the nRF52840.

 

[chuckgl]

The reason it has separate antennas is because it has separate processors for each as well. The issue is that TiltBridge is designed to run on a single (ESP32) processor — this would require adaptation to work on the nRF52840.

Bummer. I figured that was the case. Well back to the hunt for dual antenna then.

 

[bloombrews]

Bummer. I figured that was the case. Well back to the hunt for dual antenna then.

@chuckgl , your thinking too much... (like I always do, and screw things up)
If you want the "Cadillac" version with a nice big screen, that can easily pick up the Hydrometer's signal in the tank, and then relay it up to your home base router (by way of TiltBridge) then just get the LOLIN D32 Pro V2.0.0, with the TFT 2.4" screen and Cable
($31.07includes shipping) Or, get the dirt cheap ones, with onboard screen, that are only $19.09 with shipping (LILYGO® TTGO T-Display 1.14 Inch LCD Control Board ESP32)
Even cheaper then dirt, are the ones with no screen. But you still can access the information through the assigned IP address after it is flashed and up.
Don't forget to look at the really nice cases that @Thorrak makes for the D32Pro, and others, on his sales website. So, we can help feed him beers at the Pub, and he can keep up on all the free hard work he does here, for us all to share.

​

 

[Thorrak]

Bummer. I figured that was the case. Well back to the hunt for dual antenna then.

Unfortunately, you aren’t going to find one. The problem is that the ESP32 is a single radio device, and therefore has a single antenna. There are designs with an attached (or attachable) uFL antenna connector which might work for you — but you’re only going to find ones that use a single antenna.

 

[Speedracer]

No, unfortunately. That’s based on an ESP32-S3, which a different chipset than TiltBridge is designed for.

If you see ESP32-C3, ESP32-S2, ESP32-S3, or ESP32-C6, it probably won’t work.

This one looks like it is a ESP32 only would yall agree?

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255...d49!10000000579104005!sh&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

 

[Thorrak]

This one looks like it is a ESP32 only would yall agree?

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255...d49!10000000579104005!sh&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

Possibly! Hard to tell for certain, but it looks promising. It does have an attached LoRa chip, however, which TiltBridge won’t use. I can’t promise that the screen will work (the OLED screens don’t have a standard pin configuration) but this looks similar to the Heltec-style chips which others have reported success with.

 

[jc587491]

Hi, I have a question. I have been successfully running the tiltbridge for a few months and it has been working great. However, recently I have had issues with it not finding the tilt even though my phone can from the same location. It was working this morning, then suddenly stopped and it can't find the tilt to reconnect it. I've tried resetting it and unplugging it, but both failed. I'm using a heltec board with V1.1.3 .
Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Thorrak]

Hi, I have a question. I have been successfully running the tiltbridge for a few months and it has been working great. However, recently I have had issues with it not finding the tilt even though my phone can from the same location. It was working this morning, then suddenly stopped and it can't find the tilt to reconnect it. I've tried resetting it and unplugging it, but both failed. I'm using a heltec board with V1.1.3 .
Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Phones have a MUCH better antenna than ESP devices, so that’s not shocking.

Does the TiltBridge detect the device when closer to your fermenter? If so, then it’s a signal attenuation problem — either buy or build a Tilt signal repeater if needed (you can build one using the same base chip as for TiltBridge, and the TiltBridge should pick it up) or move the TiltBridge closer.

Alternatively, does the TiltBridge periodically stop detecting the tilt, but will resume detecting it after a restart? When it stops detecting the signal, will it not detect it at all — no matter how long it is left — until after a restart? If so, let me know as that’s a particular Espressif bug I didn’t think TiltBridge suffered from.

 

[jc587491]

Yeah, I was just stating that to eliminate it being an issue on the tilt side. Both devices were about 4" away from the side of the fermenter. I usually have it resting in a small plastic case on top of my glycol chiller next to the fermenter.

To give some more details, It was logging everything fine, then all of a sudden on the same batch it stopped logging and picking up the tilt. There was no activity in the brewery and there was no interruption to internet service. I did try to move it closer, to the point it was literally touching the side of the fermenter, but no luck.

It has done this a few times before but in the past it has always worked after I simply unplugged it and plugged it in again. This time, no amount of unplugging or resetting from the tiltbridge settings menu seem to work.

Also it has always suffered from the bug were the OLED screen does not work, no matter what version I flash. It hasn't bothered me so I never really cared about fixing that bug before. Haha!

 

[bloombrews]

Yeah, I was just stating that to eliminate it being an issue on the tilt side. Both devices were about 4" away from the side of the fermenter. I usually have it resting in a small plastic case on top of my glycol chiller next to the fermenter.

What fermenter do you use?? My Ss Unitanks have a very thick skin, and the Tiltbridge will always work if I put it directly sitting on top, near the TC ports. But next to the tank, down low, the signal is too poor. The board also works over the top, sitting on another tank directly next to it, but never down low (under the beer-liquid level) See my avatar here, to get my setup picture.
What I am saying is - keep the Tiltbridge over the beer, not under the liquid level.
Hope this helps you.....

 

[Exception13]

To give some more details, It was logging everything fine, then all of a sudden on the same batch it stopped logging and picking up the tilt. There was no activity in the brewery and there was no interruption to internet service. I did try to move it closer, to the point it was literally touching the side of the fermenter, but no luck.

Tilt battery?

 

[Thorrak]

I just released v1.2.1 of the TiltBridge firmware, which includes a handful of bugfixes:

• Resolves bug that could prevent toggling between temperature units (C to F / F to C)
• Resolves bug that could prevent the TiltBridge logo from being displayed with the proper colors (Thanks @pletch )

If you aren't encountering any of the above issues, there is no reason to upgrade your firmware at this time. The updated firmware is available on BrewFlasher, BrewFlasher Web, and via Fermentrack.

 

[LBussy]

• Resolves bug that could prevent toggling between temperature units (C to F / F to C)
• Resolves bug that could prevent

... are you checking to see if we are reading? Prevent what?! Gonnorhea? Trenchfoot? What man, what?!

 

[Thorrak]

... are you checking to see if we are reading? Prevent what?! Gonnorhea? Trenchfoot? What man, what?!

Initial studies suggest that TiltBridge may be as much as 100% effective at preventing Gonnorhea when talked about obsessively with potential partners.

 

[CliffH]

Have a Lolin D32 Pro (WROVER, TFT) successfully flashed with TiltBridge: v1.1.3. It doesn't present the serial port any longer to the USB port - is this an expected behavior? Nothing shows up in Windows Device manager (no issues with other ESP devices).
The Tiltbridge "Factory Reset" doesn't help - doesn't get the device back to showing up on the USB port. I've tried multiple USB cables - any help out there? Apologies if I've missed a related post. Cheers.

 

[Thorrak]

Have a Lolin D32 Pro (WROVER, TFT) successfully flashed with TiltBridge: v1.1.3. It doesn't present the serial port any longer to the USB port - is this an expected behavior? Nothing shows up in Windows Device manager (no issues with other ESP devices).
The Tiltbridge "Factory Reset" doesn't help - doesn't get the device back to showing up on the USB port. I've tried multiple USB cables - any help out there? Apologies if I've missed a related post. Cheers.

Unfortunately, no. There is a separate USB-to-serial chip on the ESP32 boards that sounds like it may be busted (red box below):


100% of the USB functionality is handled by this separate chip for this board. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but my recommendation would be to order a new board when you can.

 

[CliffH]

Unfortunately, no. There is a separate USB-to-serial chip on the ESP32 boards that sounds like it may be busted (red box below):
View attachment 822858

100% of the USB functionality is handled by this separate chip for this board. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but my recommendation would be to order a new board when you can.

Makes sense. Thank you for that. Should have asked earlier - could have saved wasting a few hours...