[Version 2 Release] RaspberryPints - Digital Taplist Solution

[RandR+]

Lets see what happens tomorrow night...

ok definitely is an Arduino thing but that could be something with the sketch or the board itself we just need to track down which one. Hopefully the power supply helps

 

[Gengasi]

I have the exact same error, did you happen to find a solution to this one?

What I did was to run the install script again and move the old installation to a new folder when prompted. This fixed the issue.

I am back from work in 5 hours and could walk you through what I did if you want? I have now technical knowledge though and can simply tell you how I reinstalled and what I chose for options.

 

[troyp42]

ok definitely is an Arduino thing but that could be something with the sketch or the board itself we just need to track down which one. Hopefully the power supply helps

Power supply did nothing. Still stopped working tonight. getting this random message in the log file
[2020-05-28 00:09:59,629] [ERROR] mod_pywebsocket.standalone.WebSocketServer: Exception in processing request from: ('::1', 57186, 0, 0)
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/usr/lib/python2.7/SocketServer.py", line 293, in _handle_request_noblock
self.process_request(request, client_address)
File "/usr/lib/python2.7/SocketServer.py", line 610, in process_request
t.start()
File "/usr/lib/python2.7/threading.py", line 736, in start
_start_new_thread(self.__bootstrap, ())
error: can't start new thread

went to upload the sketch again and the serial port is greyed out. So whats next? Will buying an original Arduino perhaps fix this? Ive tried two Arduinos now and they both seem to work at first then start to fail a few months later?

EDIT- Pugged in the original Arduino I used and uploaded the sketch. No pour so reset the Arduino and it registered a pour. So will see how this one goes but Im not going to hold my breath.

If Ive now had two arduinos fail like this could it be the PI?

 

[RandR+]

mod_pywebsocket.standalone.WebSocketServer: Exception in processing request from

that error is from the part of the code that automatically refreshes the page after a pour, so I would only expect that to affect the display page not the registering of pours.

Will buying an original Arduino perhaps fix this? Ive tried two Arduinos now and they both seem to work at first then start to fail a few months later?

It is possible they fail after a few months because of the power supply, or maybe the Pi is causing the issue. Buying an original may do the same thing if the issue is caused by something outside of the Arduino.

 

[garzlok]

If Ive now had two arduinos fail like this could it be the PI?

I had the same kind of frustrating wonkiness. My build was working flawlessly for the first month and a half. Then one day it stopped. The first thing I did was make sure it wasn't an RPi SD card issue. Threw in my SD backup from when everything was running smoothly...couldn't log pours. Got a clean SD card, new installation...couldn't log pours. Made sure I had continuity in my wiring from my meters to my Arduino...all was good. Bought a new Arduino...been running smoothly for 3.5 months (knock on wood).

 

[troyp42]

I had the same kind of frustrating wonkiness. My build was working flawlessly for the first month and a half. Then one day it stopped. The first thing I did was make sure it wasn't an RPi SD card issue. Threw in my SD backup from when everything was running smoothly...couldn't log pours. Got a clean SD card, new installation...couldn't log pours. Made sure I had continuity in my wiring from my meters to my Arduino...all was good. Bought a new Arduino...been running smoothly for 3.5 months (knock on wood).

Was your new arduino a clone or an original? I have now had 2 arduino clones both have this issue after a few months of use. I put the original back to work last night and it worked but this morning isnt registering a pour. something happens with them after a few hours or so that is causing this issue.

Its interesting that there arent others saying they are having the same issues.

 

[day_trippr]

I have never seen any of those issues, and I have quite a few Unos (including some clones with the 16U2 bridge) and a couple of Megas that have been running, many for years.
Seven of them doing brewery related tasks since 2014: two Alamodes doing R'Pints flow meter service, two Unos running BrewPi to control keezers, and three Unos in my BrewPi Bluetooth minions controlling my three ferm chambers. That doesn't even include the Megas and Nano.

I think the darned things are as close to bulletproof as you'll find in the e-hobby bidness. I have only had one Uno fail, and that one yacked up the 3.3V regulator after many years of use. I still have it and could fix it - or use it as a parts donor.

Most of my Arduinos and both Megas use 9V 1A wall warts for power; the two Alamodes and the two keezer controller Unos use 5V direct from power bricks inside their respective drawers, while the Nano gets 5V from the host PCB it plugs upon.

In short, 7.5V leaves too little headroom for the 5V three terminal regulator as its output load increases above "very light" (remember, the 5V rail feeds a 3.3V and a 1.8V regulators as well as anything that uses any of those three voltages). And 12V will cause the same 5V three terminal regulator to have to sink a prodigious amount of power in down-regulation. 9V is just right, and 1A gives plenty of capacity.

Finally, using USB to power an Arduino board can work, but it can also not work well, especially if the connecting cable has significant voltage drop. Almost every cable I've tested had a 200-250mv drop, and a couple of really bad ones had nearly a half volt of drop. These were all 18" long - the type that is tossed in the packaging with all kinds of consumer USB devices...

Cheers!

 

[troyp42]

I have never seen any of those issues, and I have quite a few Unos (including some clones with the 16U2 bridge) and a couple of Megas that have been running, many for years.
Seven of them doing brewery related tasks since 2014: two Alamodes doing R'Pints flow meter service, two Unos running BrewPi to control keezers, and three Unos in my BrewPi Bluetooth minions controlling my three ferm chambers. That doesn't even include the Megas and Nano.

I think the darned things are as close to bulletproof as you'll find in the e-hobby bidness. I have only had one Uno fail, and that one yacked up the 3.3V regulator after many years of use. I still have it and could fix it - or use it as a parts donor.

Most of my Arduinos and both Megas use 9V 1A wall warts for power; the two Alamodes and the two keezer controller Unos use 5V direct from power bricks inside their respective drawers, while the Nano gets 5V from the host PCB it plugs upon.

In short, 7.5V leaves too little headroom for the 5V three terminal regulator as its output load increases above "very light" (remember, the 5V rail feeds a 3.3V and a 1.8V regulators as well as anything that uses any of those three voltages). And 12V will cause the same 5V three terminal regulator to have to sink a prodigious amount of power in down-regulation. 9V is just right, and 1A gives plenty of capacity.

Finally, using USB to power an Arduino board can work, but it can also not work well, especially if the connecting cable has significant voltage drop. Almost every cable I've tested had a 200-250mv drop, and a couple of really bad ones had nearly a half volt of drop. These were all 18" long - the type that is tossed in the packaging with all kinds of consumer USB devices...

Cheers!

So any suggestions as to what the hell is going on here with my installation and why it keeps happening even with 2 different Unos now?

I am using a 12v 4a pwr supply but have ordered a 9v 1a supply from ebay so will switch over to that once it arrives. However Im not holding my breath that it will fix the issue. If 2 Unos are doing this can it be something wrong with the PI? Im using a Pi 3B+

EDIT- The USB cable came with the Uno and is around a foot long. I received a second one with the second uno and im almost certain I am using the new cable also...what are the chances they are both faulty?

 

[garzlok]

Was your new arduino a clone or an original?

My Uno is a clone sold under the Inland label. In the States we have an electronics chain store called MicroCenter, that's where I purchased both of the Uno R3's.

I have never seen any of those issues, and I have quite a few Unos (including some clones with the 16U2 bridge) and a couple of Megas that have been running, many for years.

This is the standard I'm striving for.

I do not know if my issue was related to a borked Uno, or not. I only know it wasn't my SD Cards or my wiring. For $9 and a 30min round trip car ride, it was worth me buying a new Uno to find out if changing that variable could improve my situation. In my case, it did. Yes, circumstantial evidence at best....BTW, I still have that old Uno on my desk and if I need it for a project, I won't hesitate to give at a go.

 

[troyp42]

My Uno is a clone sold under the Inland label. In the States we have an electronics chain store called MicroCenter, that's where I purchased both of the Uno R3's.


This is the standard I'm striving for.

I do not know if my issue was related to a borked Uno, or not. I only know it wasn't my SD Cards or my wiring. For $9 and a 30min round trip car ride, it was worth me buying a new Uno to find out if changing that variable could improve my situation. In my case, it did. Yes, circumstantial evidence at best....BTW, I still have that old Uno on my desk and if I need it for a project, I won't hesitate to give at a go.

Well I wish it was the same with my situation with my Unos. I brought a second one thinking that might fix it and its still no good and now the first one works anyway once I re-upload the sketch and reset the uno. Must be a reason why its dropping out though.

 

[day_trippr]

Yes, there has to be another explanation. It'd be easier to come up with one if this curious problem was more widespread.

One of these days I guess I'm going to have to load up my test bed with current vintage versions and see what happens, but right now my list of things I need to get done this year (completely unrelated to brewing) is daunting as it is...

 

[troyp42]

Yes, there has to be another explanation. It'd be easier to come up with one if this curious problem was more widespread.

One of these days I guess I'm going to have to load up my test bed with current vintage versions and see what happens, but right now my list of things I need to get done this year (completely unrelated to brewing) is daunting as it is...

Its driving me insane..

 

[JAKL]

The password isn't printed when you type it nor are asterisks indicating you typed something so you probably did enter in a password but couldn't tell


Yes reinstalling rpints again reportedly fixed the issue

Thanks heaps for your help, I’ll reinstall & give it a try over weekend

 

[troyp42]

that error is from the part of the code that automatically refreshes the page after a pour, so I would only expect that to affect the display page not the registering of pours.


It is possible they fail after a few months because of the power supply, or maybe the Pi is causing the issue. Buying an original may do the same thing if the issue is caused by something outside of the Arduino.

But Ive been using a 9v 400ma power supply on this one. And why do they work fine for a day then fail again? Ive put the original back into use and its working fine once I upload the sketch etc then the next day it fails. Im wondering if its worth buying another Uno and keep it running with my 12v 4a power supply Im using now and see how that goes. (Ive got a 9v 1a on order from eBay)

 

[Deric]

Totally new to this stuff but did manage to get Fermentrack and a Tiltpi up and running (not on the same pi) Trying to get rpints running on the same pi4 that I'm using for Fermentrack. Do not plan on flowmeters - at least for now. Ran the installer from rpints.com and get this error.....

Disk usage is 47%, free disk space is 7504 MB.

Checking and installing required dependencies via apt.

Installing 'dialog'.
E: Failed to fetch http://mirror.sjc02.svwh.net/raspbian/raspbian/pool/main/d/dialog/dialog_1.3-20190211-1_armhf.deb Cannot initiate the connection to mirror.sjc02.svwh.net:80 (2606:c680:0:b:3830:34ff:fe66:6663). - connect (101: Network is unreachable) Could not connect to mirror.sjc02.svwh.net:80 (72.5.72.15), connection timed out
E: Unable to fetch some archives, maybe run apt-get update or try with --fix-missing?



*** ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR ***
-------------------------------------

See above lines for error message.
Setup NOT completed.


Any help/suggestions appreciated.

 

[LBussy]

Ran the installer from rpints.com and get this error

That's not RPints specific but rather a repository issue. Absent a more specific diagnosis, I would try the following:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

After that, try again.

 

[Deric]

Thanks! Making some progress..... I think. Ran the apt update then installed Legacy Support to Fermentrack Ran the installer again and all seemed good. Rebooted to a blank white screen.... Rebooted the pi and I have rpints running.

My Fermentrack controller appears to still be connected and working but, I can't log into Fermentrack from my PC anymore - it just takes me to rpints. How do I switch between the 2? And how can get back to the "desktop" on the pi?

Edit: If I reboot the pi, it alternates between rpints and Fermentrack....

 

[JAKL]

What I did was to run the install script again and move the old installation to a new folder when prompted. This fixed the issue.

I am back from work in 5 hours and could walk you through what I did if you want? I have now technical knowledge though and can simply tell you how I reinstalled and what I chose for options.

Thanks for the offer but after re-installing rpints it’s all good! Flow meter seems to be working ok (with me just blowing thru it), it’s registering pours so I’m stoked! Now to set up some enclosures and start trialling on beer to see how this cheaper flow meter works...

 

[JAKL]

Thanks heaps for your help, I’ll reinstall & give it a try over weekend

Thanks, I had same errors as Gengasi but after re-installing rpints a second time it’s now all good! Flow meter seems to be working ok (with me just blowing thru it), it’s registering pours so I’m stoked! Now to set up some enclosures and start trialling on beer to see how this cheaper YF-S402 flow meter works... Thanks again!

 

[RandR+]

it alternates between rpints and Fermentrack..

That's because Fermenttrack uses nginx and Rpints uses apache, so they are fighting for port 80. On a restart it alternates because one gets the port first.
you can see 2.3. Legacy (PHP/Apache) Application Support (Optional) — Fermentrack documentation for ferment official documentation.

One thing you can do to keep both apache and Nginx running is to change one of their ports. Lets say you change Rpints to 8080 the URL you would use would be http://<ip>:8080

 

[RandR+]

why do they work fine for a day then fail again

it could be that the flow meters pull enough amps to drain the Uno over time causing power to be sucked from the communication chip

 

[seancjp]

Hi all, it seems rpints has drawn me out of the shadows Ive just installed the non flow meter version and its great. Noticed that you can pour a 29ml sample when clicking the tap number. Is their anyway of changing this to say 200ml? I could click it the relevant amount of times for each drink i pour... Cheers!

 

[RandR+]

say 200ml

admin\includes\managers\pour_manager.php ~ line 302
change
$amount = 30/1000; //ml
to
$amount = 200/1000; //ml

 

[Deric]

That's because Fermenttrack uses nginx and Rpints uses apache, so they are fighting for port 80. On a restart it alternates because one gets the port first.
you can see 2.3. Legacy (PHP/Apache) Application Support (Optional) — Fermentrack documentation for ferment official documentation.

One thing you can do to keep both apache and Nginx running is to change one of their ports. Lets say you change Rpints to 8080 the URL you would use would be http://<ip>:8080

Changed the apache port to 8080 and both are running now - thanks!

 

[troyp42]

it could be that the flow meters pull enough amps to drain the Uno over time causing power to be sucked from the communication chip

Ok yeah good point, makes sense. But it doesnt explain why its still failing now when Ive switched to a 12V 4A power supply?

 

[day_trippr]

fwiw, the Swissflow SF800 meters use ~12mA when operated at 5V. I've had six of them running since 2014 on the same Uno using its 5V rail...

Cheers!

 

[troyp42]

fwiw, the Swissflow SF800 meters use ~12mA when operated at 5V. I've had six of them running since 2014 on the same Uno using its 5V rail...

Cheers!

Any suggestions on what I should do then? Im at a loss I really am...

 

[garzlok]

Any suggestions on what I should do then? Im at a loss I really am...

Me, I am not a patient man. I would blow everything up (save my DB and my customized files) and start new with my current equipment. If my current equipment can show that it works, I’ll reintroduce my customizations one at a time making sure something I did, doesn’t mess up my build.

if my current equipment doesn’t show that it can work, and I know my wiring is sound...I buy new equipment and try again. If that doesn’t work....go back to my wiring because something ain’t right.

 

[Legoodest]

Correct, I have all of my image files separated in subdirectories: tap, keg, srm, ibu, abv, logo but only because I have a lot of them so it just keeps things tidy you don't need to use subdirectories, if not remove the tap folder in the code like this:

<span class= "tapcircle"><img src="img/<?php echo $i; ?>-tap.png" alt=""></span>

I called the top section the "active taps" section because that is where the code for your tapped kegs resides. The bottom section is where your "Nothing on tap" taps reside, ergo "inactive taps".

Cheers,

Kal

Kal,

I have scoured index.php and cannot find this line of code to modify. I used this link to do my install, so I’m unsure what version I’m running.

https://www.rpints.com/
I am looking in the index.php file located in www/html. Is this the right place? Am I missing something?

Thank you in advance for your help.

—Mike

 

[troyp42]

Me, I am not a patient man. I would blow everything up (save my DB and my customized files) and start new with my current equipment. If my current equipment can show that it works, I’ll reintroduce my customizations one at a time making sure something I did, doesn’t mess up my build.

if my current equipment doesn’t show that it can work, and I know my wiring is sound...I buy new equipment and try again. If that doesn’t work....go back to my wiring because something ain’t right.

Ive done that twice already, brought a new SD card and Uno and started again. I dont really have any customizations other than my images and font size changes etc.. Im assuming the wiring is fine or it wouldnt work for 2-3 months when I first brought a new UNO. The current trend is buy a Uno, it works for 2-3 months then it stops and only works when I re upload the Sketch and reset the uno again. Then it works for a day and fails again. Rinse and repeat.

 

[Deric]

admin\includes\managers\pour_manager.php ~ line 302
change
$amount = 30/1000; //ml
to
$amount = 200/1000; //ml

So I'm up and running (no flow meters) and discovered that I can use my touchscreen to register "sample" pours. I understand I need to edit this code but being new to this I have no idea how to find or get to the code. I did get PuTTy loaded and working but have no idea where to go from there.

Thanks

 

[RandR+]

I did get PuTTy loaded and working but have no idea where to go from there

Use puTTy to ssh into the pi.
then type
cd /var/www/html
sudo vim index.php
(you can use a different editor, I just use vim)
find line 302 ($amount = 30/1000
hit the right arrow key until the flashing bar is on 30
hit i
delete 30
type 200
hit esc
type :w
type :q

refresh the page and try the pour button

 

[garzlok]

Ive done that twice already, brought a new SD card and Uno and started again. I dont really have any customizations other than my images and font size changes etc.. Im assuming the wiring is fine or it wouldnt work for 2-3 months when I first brought a new UNO. The current trend is buy a Uno, it works for 2-3 months then it stops and only works when I re upload the Sketch and reset the uno again. Then it works for a day and fails again. Rinse and repeat.

When it comes to electricity and continuity of lines, I don’t think it’s wise to make any assumptions. A bad connection can absolutely cause sporadic behavior.

If you’re cool throwing money at it, buy a new RPi and Uno and give it a whirl. (It’s what I would do if all else failed)

 

[Legoodest]

I’m hoping somebody here can point me in the right direction. I have scoured this thread and have been unable to find an answer that works (probably my fault). Here is a photo of my current tap list:

I am looking to accomplish 2 things:

1) Change the tap numbers in the left hand column to graphics; and
2) Make the beer name text larger.

It looks like most people here are having a relatively easy time accomplishing these. I have seen the responses that state to replace specific text lines in the index.php file. I have been unable to locate these lines in my file, however. I have created and named my graphics per the instructions provided throughout the thread.

I also have a pretty good idea that the beer name text must be manipulated in the style.css sheet. Can anybody tell me specifically the lines that must be edited? I have tried several without success.

I have tried working with the index.php and style.css files in the var/www/html folder. Am I in the right place?

I will provide what limited information I am knowledgeable of concerning my install. I installed Raspberry Pints using the command line provided at:

Http://www.rpints.com
This command installed everything I needed easily and had me up and running quickly. I have no idea what version of R Pints this is. Here are screenshots of my index.php file and folder structure, if that is helpful:

My apologies for the long post. Thank you to all who contribute to this thread. It is the only reason I have gotten as far as I have with this. Thank you in advance for your help with my issues!

 

[RandR+]

1) Change the tap numbers in the left hand column to graphics; and
2) Make the beer name text larger

1. Go to admin taps page there should be an upload button next to the tap number that allows you to upload an image for the tap
2. in /var/www/html/style.css add font-size:xxpx (where xx is the size you want) to the table.name set

For example:
table .name{
text-align: left;
vertical-align: middle;
padding: 5px;
font-size:70px;
}

 

[Deric]

Use puTTy to ssh into the pi.
then type
cd /var/www/html
sudo vim index.php
(you can use a different editor, I just use vim)
find line 302 ($amount = 30/1000
hit the right arrow key until the flashing bar is on 30
hit i
delete 30
type 200
hit esc
type :w
type :q

refresh the page and try the pour button

Thanks for the help! I feel like I made some progress but not there yet. Ran the commands you listed. Line 302 is near the end and is </script>

I have a feeling I need to be in admin\includes\managers\pour_manager.php I see that on line 15 but don't know how to get into it...

 

[RandR+]

admin\includes\managers\pour_manager.php I see that on line 15 but don't know how to get into it.

my bad, somehow I was thinking index.php....

you need to
cd /var/www/html/admin/includes/managers
sudo vim pour_manager.php
then follow the rest of my instructions

 

[Deric]

my bad, somehow I was thinking index.php....

you need to
cd /var/www/html/admin/includes/managers
sudo vim pour_manager.php
then follow the rest of my instructions

That gets me there! So ... I'm wanting to use this as a manual way to "sort of" track volume left in keg. If I want an average 12oz pour I just increase the number, yes?

Also, I've read it hear somewhere but can't find it - what do the 2 glasses on the right side of the display mean? I'm guessing the not full one is a representation of ABV ? What does the full one represent.

Thanks!

 

[troyp42]

When it comes to electricity and continuity of lines, I don’t think it’s wise to make any assumptions. A bad connection can absolutely cause sporadic behavior.

If you’re cool throwing money at it, buy a new RPi and Uno and give it a whirl. (It’s what I would do if all else failed)

Yes I agree but Ive double checked all the wiring and Im using ethernet cable for the flow meters and power supply etc through the RJ45 jacks. Originally I had the flow meters grounded through the Pi not the Uno so I changed that awhile ago after Daytrippr advised me to do so. It doesnt miss a beat for the first 2 months or so then starts playing up again. Ive tried 2 Unos and would consider buying a new Pi if I thought it might fix the issue but I dont really want to keep throwing money at it.

i considered getting rid of the RJ45 and ethernet cable and running wire directly to each flow meter from the Uno but I really think that if it were a wiring issue it wouldnt run fine for 2 months then start to fail. Its happened with 2 UNOs now both were fine for approximately 2 months then started failing.

 

[day_trippr]

The glasses aren't quite "empty; the excess above 5% is in the second glass

Cheers!

[edit] If you're now wondering what happens when the ABV is above 10%, check out my stout. R'Pints "classic" basically punts that third glass