Open Ardbir - Open source platform for brewing process control and automation

[Leann ull]

Yes advisable I ran a 3Kw on a 40A one, temp went up to 78 on SSR backplate, 24 with heatsink

[molc]

Where did you get the grey box to hold all the parts?

[pob]

About €6, similar to this.
http://www.switchcraft.ie/160mmx135mmx77mm-ip55-enclosure.html

Or slightly bigger, €9.36
http://www.switchcraft.ie/220mmx170mmx80mm-ip55-enclosure.html

You can get them from any local electrical suppliers.

[pob]

Bigger box found & bits moved across.

Panel 3D printed (@McMelloW: thanks for link, great turnaround from Karl in Bray), it's an older version but fine for 1st version. I'll get latest version next time.


Neutrik connectors added (From top: 2 kettle elements, pump)


Heatsink for both SSRs added.





Plan to brew again with it this week.

(Ooops, just noticed mahoosive images, I'll update on PC later.)

[pob]

Next: Grainfather version

Single SSR, IEC female sockets, smaller enclosure.

[McMelloW]

Looks nice, Pob

[dcalnan]

That looks really nice, I'm about to enter the rabbit hole and start looking into an ardbir. You're really lucky with 3d printing, down in Cork I was looking up to print a stirplate and the startup cost for printing alone was over €50 euro.

[pob]

Thanks to McMelloW for pointing me to www.3DHubs.com. He's a link to the 3D model.

I found a local guy who quoted €8.25 set up & €6.76 for the panel, approx 11.5cm3. He actually dropped it off as he was passing, great service within 2/3 days (if you're organised). There are a few versions of the panel so I'm just waiting to get the files of the latest version before I print again.

The newer panel is a bit thicker at ~14 cm3 (think some machines prices start at a minimum of 22.5cm3).

I'm sure postage if wrapped will only be a couple of quid.


[Eagle-eyed folks will spot the finish on the panel is a bit rough, it's actually the first panel that was printed & it warped. I'm using it just to put this box together & will use the much better finished version on on the Grainfather version (keep Fishjam happy)]

[johnrm]

That looks really slick - I can't see the warp.
Good job pob!

[darren996]

Great job lads..this is a really interesting thread... keep up the good work..

Are all of ye using grainfathers or have ye built your own rigs.

[pob]

Above one is for my BIAB Keggle with 2 x 2.2kW elements (& eventually a March pump).

Grainfather has a 2kW main heater for boil & initial strike temp (& a 500W for maintaining Mash temp).
Ardbir ignores the 500W and just runs PID on 2kW for the Mash & PWM controls it for the Boil

[Will_D]

I think the GF heating elements need checking.

Its rating plate states 2000 W

It all depends on how the Mash/Boil Switch is wired?

If the 500 W element is not used when boiling it seems a shame to loose out on the extra 500 watts.

A bit of a rewire could then give us 2500 - would make a HUGH difference to the GF

Will have a look later

[pob]

If they can be wired together that would be handy.

Oh, look more ...


(Wiring needs connecting up & temp probe needs calibration)


(Won't mention chuck tracks)


I need to look at making a bracket to slot into the existing GF handle. A long, thin steel/aluminium strap formed around enclosure should work.

[McMelloW]

Pob

Nice small box. You cut off the edges of the Panel?

The lower bracket is attached with a couple of screws. It can be removed easy. I think of removing the bracket and attach a kind of hook/clip at the back of the box. Just hang it on the GF on the big bracket. You have to push back the hook to release and unhook it.

I did some testing today with water. It all went pretty good.

[pob]

Didn't need to cut anything, I'm using an earlier drawing of the panel.

Do you have pics of the bracket?

Were the PID figures ok?