can't belive it's not braumiester

[christhebrewer]

I kind of like the idea of running it from a pc. No idea why!
Would it make it more expandable.... ?
The current parts guesstimate is around €500. That's for the full on version with 2 pumps, including €100 for the controller.
A bag version would be a bit less.

[JimmyM]

This (controlling from a PC) can also be achieved with the arduino - network connection and bluetooth is cheap and easy - not sure about wifi, ive never looked into it.

I reckon it would be cheaper than raspberry pi + raspberry pi dev board.
Although with raspberry PI you get a proper distribution - its basically a small PC running linux - you could attach a screen and mouse/keybaord to it whatever you want.

Other downside is you would have to reproduce the controoler software. Its already been done for arduino.

Id say raspberry Pi would be a 'nice to have'.

[JimmyM]

PS: Anyone interested in a pint tomorrow (thursday 17th May, 7.30pm) Holland's in Bray, we could discuss this further

[wallacebiy]

This (controlling from a PC) can also be achieved with the arduino - network connection and bluetooth is cheap and easy - not sure about wifi, ive never looked into it.

I reckon it would be cheaper than raspberry pi + raspberry pi dev board.
Although with raspberry PI you get a proper distribution - its basically a small PC running linux - you could attach a screen and mouse/keybaord to it whatever you want.

Other downside is you would have to reproduce the controoler software. Its already been done for arduino.

Id say raspberry Pi would be a 'nice to have'.

I think somebody is doing a Pi + arduino project too though ....

I'm currently trying to get a virtual machine running the Pi version of debian , to see what I can do with it , but it's driving me mad

[JimmyM]

How much was it?
What you going to use it for?
Only rated to 10A so you will probably just about get away with using it for a kettle element.
But as you say its not SSR so switching it on and off quickly isnt an option.
Think ill start playing with my arduino tomorrow

[JimmyM]

ahhhh ya see, i didnt think of that

[HomeBrewWest]

This is a great project. Those solar pumps . . . . what material exactly? Hot sweet liquids are quite corrosive. On one of the links above, a proper SS pump costs $335 approx. I'd use a PIC and triacs / optos (zero current switching, SCRs probably aren't legal for power switching anymore because of the noise they generate). I'd control the PIC and hardware with a PC (Java, Eclipse for me). Could even run a web server and let people browse pages showing realtime temps, pump operation, etc. Hmmm, the pump is the only worry for me . . . I'd also use silicon rubber tubing everwhere.

[HomeBrewWest]

By the way, I'd only use a PIC because I have a proper ICE 2000 emulator, and C compiler.

[HomeBrewWest]

Pumps are these:
http://solarproject.co.uk/page2.html

I will be in Galway on Thursday and can bring my pump me to show you? I plan on dropping into the shop while I'm there.

Probably going to Donegal, but not until after I write code to integrate stock control on our 3 web sites with Amazon UK. So not defo yet.

[Stitch]

Is this post dead or is the project ongoing?? I spoke with Chris a while back about the automation aspect of his brewery but at the time I was moving jobs and was very busy. Have a bit more time on my hands and would not mind getting involved.

[Stitch]

Just down in Lucan.

[Will_D]

As far as my build is concerned just waiting for the nice weather to end ( !!! ). Its a winter sort of job

Will