National Homebrew Club Ireland

Looks like an ardbir alternative based on raspberry pi

http://www.craftbeerpi.com

Some examples of what people are doing with it on the facebook page
https://m.facebook.com/craftbeerpi?refid=52&ref=page_internal

Looks very interesting, Darren. I'm using Strangebrew Elsinore which I'm very happy with. I have one or two spare RPi boards lying around. I'll give this a whirl and see if its good. The website presentation is very professional.

Yeah, ordered a pi zero, very cheap. I am going to see what it looks like. I have an ardbir that I am very happy with but craftbeerpi is still being developed and looks like it could be better than the ardbir. Sure it will be a bit if fun anyways.

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I'd highly recommend dietpi.com to slim down the RPi image size. When you want a headless server, you don't need all the junk they throw into the usual Noobs images. I'm running Elsinore on a headless PiZero with a minimal dietpi image. Taking only about 3-4% CPU time. Very responsive web interface. Be very interested to hear your impressions of Craftbeerpi.

Thanks for that, I was wondering what image to install, I will give it a go. Hopefully I will have a barebones up and running next week, waiting on the pi to arrive.

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Haven't got around to this yet but I was checking out their Facebook page and the have a pic of the fermentation settings,  it's pretty cool. With the one wire probe you can have endless temp probes controlled by the same unit.. Check it out
https://scontent-amt2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/fr/cp0/e15/q65/13558834_510215925853906_87470676909141147_o.png.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9


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Hi Darren, I had a look at CBPi and it seems pretty nice. It's heavier on the PiZero than SBE (python vs java) but that won't make much difference. It has some very nice features - especially for fermentation.
I don't think I'll switch from SBE though. SBE lets me do a lot of different things very easily and very freely. At the moment, it doesn't do the kind of stepped fermentation temperature control that BrewPi or CBPi do. I tend to do this manually, by setting a Hysteresis mode with close Heat/Cool temperatures. Doug Edey has said he's in the middle of a major upgrade of SBE, and I'm looking forward to that. Hopefully it will have more capability to manage fermentation. That said, it has done everything I needed it to do perfectly. I use the same setup for brewday and for fermentation. I just retask the probes to drive the fridge and heater during ferment.
Please let us know if you decide to go with CBPi and how you get on with it.

Yep,  I will let you know,  going to give SBE a go after I get setup with craftbeerpi.  Did you look at 2.1 or the pre release build of 2.2. I think 2.2 has a lot more features.  The fermentation dashboard looks like is going to do step fermentation. Hopefully I will get around to it soon..

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It was the 2.1. I didn't realise there was a later version. Must take a look...

Quote from: SkiBeagle on July 05, 2016, 11:37:25 AM
It was the 2.1. I didn't realise there was a later version. Must take a look...

Yeah, have a look on the facebook site, i think you will like the fermentation dashboard.

did you get it working on PiZero?

Yep,  its working on the zero,  i will do a build thread when i am finished,  just waiting on a project box.. Havent done a brew day test yet,  but it looks the business.

(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160901/f92cab6e24fa678994ec659ac7d6ca1e.jpg)

Looks great, v small & neat.

Why don't you use the 2nd channel on the relay board in place of the SSR? Keep it smaller again.

Must order a PiZero - they're always out of stock when I remember to go looking for them

Yep very neat and very easy to put together. You can monitor and control the software from your phone.

I thought i needed an ssr for pid operation.  Will the relay be able act in pid mode?  If it can i would definitely consider it.

I have an ardbir with a 40 ssr as well,  the heatsink gets pretty hot on that,  would the relay be able to handle that?

It's much slower reacting for fermentation than a mash (compared to ArdBir); switch time is in minutes rather than seconds, so may not need SSR.

Must have a full read of instructions.

Is phone monitoring a webpage or app?

Edit: ignore above, just looked at site - thought it was a different bit of s/ware & ferment only. You've now sown seeds to go down another rabbit hole.

Have to do a bit more reading on it myself

There are a lot of developments coming in 2.2.  You can download a beta version of yhi.

Webpage monitoring at the moment ,  it would be cool if there was an app but the webpage is responsive and looks good on all devices.

In 2.2 you will get fermentation dashboard. You can also connect as many temp probes as you like.
You will be able to load beer.xml files for automation

The never rabbit hole!!

thats really cool! I bought 30GBP RPi3 but then I will use it for OpenELEC for TV and order RPi ZERO for craftbeerpi, so probably you just need an OTG adapter (usb micro -> usb) for a wifi adapter and thats it? (and maybe miniHDMI to HDMI for some screen connection).

BTW I have designed some PCBs for CraftBeerPI you might be interested, there are gerber files as well so you can reproduce it. https://github.com/terragady
it should work with RPi0 as well as the pinout is the same.

I would recommend getting an rpi3 if you dont already have a wifi adapter. By the time you get all the extras you are pretty close to rpi3 price.

I had all the extra bits and pieces fot the zero thats why i got it.

Rpi2 and rpi3 can take a touchscreen. You can get them cheap on ebay.

Have a look at this build
http://www.leaningman.com/2016/05/automated-brewery/

What can you do with the pcb?

Well I guess I know how I will rebuild if the ardbir ever fails :)

Yeah,  thats was my main reason for looking into something else

I have a wifi adapter and it cost like 1,40$ on aliexpress :) I am not in rush and I have already RPi3 to test te software. Now I am using still ArdBir as well.
I was not thinking to get a touchscreen, instead I would install normal 20x4 LCD with temp reading etc connected to I2C. The rest I can have on my laptop and smartphone.

PCB is for same reason as Ardbir's. You can connect everything straight to arduino as well but this gives you nicer build and protect RPi from burn or autodestruction. It also power the RPi from 12V source which most of us are using for pomp anyway, so no need of extra adapter. You have ready screw in ports for temp sensors and rest stuff.

That's something I am currently working on.  Based on Leaning Man brewery's project building my control unit. Still waiting for few bits and pieces from China and hopefully will have everything together in next week or two.

Will keep an eye on this thread, interested on others feedback. And will let everybody know how I get on.

Quote from: terragady on September 02, 2016, 12:12:34 PM
I have a wifi adapter and it cost like 1,40$ on aliexpress :) I am not in rush and I have already RPi3 to test te software. Now I am using still ArdBir as well.
I was not thinking to get a touchscreen, instead I would install normal 20x4 LCD with temp reading etc connected to I2C. The rest I can have on my laptop and smartphone.

PCB is for same reason as Ardbir's. You can connect everything straight to arduino as well but this gives you nicer build and protect RPi from burn or autodestruction. It also power the RPi from 12V source which most of us are using for pomp anyway, so no need of extra adapter. You have ready screw in ports for temp sensors and rest stuff.

Have you got a link for the wifi adapter?

I will be running my pi setup headless and monitoring it on my phone so no need for an lcd or screen.

Zero only has 1 micro usb also.

Any body know if you could wire multiple  DS18B20 temperature probes to control mutiple SSRs? Basically want to know could i use two SSR to control both the boil kettle and or mashtun temperature via two of the temperature probes and two 40 AMP SSRs. Wiring one up is described here http://www.leaningman.com/2016/05/automated-brewery/

I am curious to know is it simply a case of wiring multiple instances of the temperature probe in to the same probes on the 3V rail on the Raspberry PI and then how would two SSRs be wired in?

I have most of the bits needed to get this to work already and I foresee I will be shortly be canibalising my existing PID based herms controller in favour of this. Any assistance on this would be appreciated?

Shanna

Yep you can have as many temp sensors as you like,  thats why i went with the breadboard,  all sensors share the same 3v ground and gpio header, craftbeerpi will see them as seperate.

You can setup multiple ssr and relays.

Quote from: darren996 on September 02, 2016, 06:29:50 PM
Yep you can have as many temp sensors as you like,  thats why i went with the breadboard,  all sensors share the same 3v ground and gpio header, craftbeerpi will see them as seperate.

You can setup multiple ssr and relays.

To partially answer my own question RE multiple temperature sensors.
http://www.reuk.co.uk/wordpress/raspberry-pi/connect-multiple-temperature-sensors-with-raspberry-pi/

Shanna

Quote from: Shanna on September 02, 2016, 06:40:24 PM

Quote from: darren996 on September 02, 2016, 06:29:50 PM
Yep you can have as many temp sensors as you like,  thats why i went with the breadboard,  all sensors share the same 3v ground and gpio header, craftbeerpi will see them as seperate.

You can setup multiple ssr and relays.

To partially answer my own question RE multiple temperature sensors.
http://www.reuk.co.uk/wordpress/raspberry-pi/connect-multiple-temperature-sensors-with-raspberry-pi/

Shanna

Looks like multiple SSRS are handled via different gpio outputs one per SSR.
https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=47561

Kind of makes sense as the software allows you specify a gpio.

Now to confirm whether the SSR required are DC or AC? I assume AC. Next thing for me to figure out can I reuse my existing project box to fit another power output. Time to call the brother :) Might be selling a PID controller & associated temperature probes soon.

Shanna

Dc 3v trigger,  ac on the high side, i have one connect ed to gpio 17,  you can see it in the pic,  ita a 40a ssr

When I have less beer in me, we can have a chinwag about this Shanna. It shouldn't be too complicated to do what you want. The pi will send out dc to your ssrs. Each unique state will need a different signal and then your laughing

Quote from: molc on September 02, 2016, 09:08:47 PM
When I have less beer in me, we can have a chinwag about this Shanna. It shouldn't be too complicated to do what you want. The pi will send out dc to your ssrs. Each unique state will need a different signal and then your laughing

Pretty much get it now. Wiring up the inputs of the incoming power is what I need to figure out. Looks I need to have two separate power feeds to run two SSRs, with each then powering it's own socket with the SSRs switched on/off via the  DC voltage coming from GPIO from the PI. Now thinking of getting a third SSR & actually wiring in a commando socket to switch the 5.5kw element in the HLT. Looks like I am going to busy over the next few months :) Let's talk it over the next time we meet over a pint. We can scratch the basic outline if a design down. Not 100% sure what connectors to use to wire up the DS18B20 as you mentioned RJ11 connectors & I hear telephone sockets. Might ask you for whatever links you used to but these when u have a moment.

Shanna

Dont ya just love this hobby.. So much stuff to spend all yer spare cash on :)

Quote from: darren996 on September 02, 2016, 09:26:40 PM
Dont ya just love this hobby.. So much stuff to spend all yer spare cash on :)

Indeed & apologies for taking over your thread. This has been just the spur I need to switch to the raspberry pi.

Shanna

No hassle,  the more the merrier.  I think craftbeerpi will combine the best of brewpi and ardbir.

One caveat is I wouldn't trust a pi for fermentation as they are prone to crashing. The brewpi is absolutely rock solid in that respect, either the arduino or spark version.

arduino based fermentation is fine, or even you can use ESP8266 but I am not sure about the stability but can do same thing as arduino and has wifi capability so you can plot your temp over time.

Tried wiring the pi, ds18b20 & SSR up using a breadboard last night. Two temp probes are picked up by the pi & also get registered in craftbeerpi software. However I can't get the SSR powered up with the ground/gpio output specified from the web software. It marks gpio 17 to use for a heater but when I connect that to + terminal on the SSR & ground from the 5v side of the breadboard to the - terminal of the SSR. I tried the SSR with a 9v battery & it works. I suspect that the SSR I have (supposed to be 3-32DC) is not getting enough power from the pi via the breadboard. I tried reading the power output from the pi and it's just 3v. I have a fotek SSR, googling this suggests that it's the SSR not being manufactures correctly & it requiring more than 3v. Anybody any experience with dealing with these type of SSRS?

Going to try powering it direct off the PI pins to see if there is an issue with the breadboard.

Shanna

do you connect temp probes to GPIO4 in parasitic mode? So both to the same data pin?

Quote from: Shanna on September 11, 2016, 02:53:57 PM
Tried wiring the pi, ds18b20 & SSR up using a breadboard last night. Two temp probes are picked up by the pi & also get registered in craftbeerpi software. However I can't get the SSR powered up with the ground/gpio output specified from the web software. It marks gpio 17 to use for a heater but when I connect that to + terminal on the SSR & ground from the 5v side of the breadboard to the - terminal of the SSR. I tried the SSR with a 9v battery & it works. I suspect that the SSR I have (supposed to be 3-32DC) is not getting enough power from the pi via the breadboard. I tried reading the power output from the pi and it's just 3v. I have a fotek SSR, googling this suggests that it's the SSR not being manufactures correctly & it requiring more than 3v. Anybody any experience with dealing with these type of SSRS?

Going to try powering it direct off the PI pins to see if there is an issue with the breadboard.

Shanna

I have the same ssr connected directly to a 3v gpio pin on the pi zero.  I will double check the pins when i get home. I an only using the breadboard for the temp probes

Quote from: terragady on September 11, 2016, 02:57:47 PM
do you connect temp probes to GPIO4 in parasitic mode? So both to the same data pin?

Not sure what you mean by parasitic but yes both temperature probes are going to the same gpio number 4 pin. I wired both probes through a plastic connector block with the resistor crossing between data & power on the input side. Two grounds also on the input side & then a single output on the other side of the block output where I have a single ground, data and power going to ground on 5v side, data going to Gpio pin 4 & power going to power on the 3v side. Some additional tinkering with the voltmeter confirmed the source of the problem two dodgy wires (never was good at wiring :)). For anyone interested I took off the breadboard & with the pi plugged in & switched off I tested the dc voltage on pin 3v & 3v rail ground pin & got 3.3v. Did the same on the 5v side with the 5v pin & the 5v rail ground pin & got 5.2v. Reattached the ribbon cable & breadboard & tried two new cables & got the same result. Tried my dodgy cables & nothing. Stripped my cables back & recrimped them & hey presto got the voltage light on the SSR. Powered everything up & booted the pi & started the x server & ran the craftbeerpi web interface & my mashtun herms pot boiler (SSR 1 light up). Grabbed the temperature probe in my hand & warmed it but & within 30 seconds temperature had risen to 24 & light on the SSR went out. Threshold was set set 2 below temperature setting of 26C. So it looks like it call works. Can't wait to see what version 2.2 looks like.

Off to eBay now to get a project box. Anybody have any leads on detachable 2-3 metre 1/2" NPT DS18b20 probes (apart from brewpi store) would appreciate it.

Shanna

PS: Anyone willing to swap some 40A AC-AC SSRs for corresponding 40A DC-DC SSR? I bought the AC variety in error a while back late one evening with out paying attention to the correct voltage :(

Quote from: darren996 on September 11, 2016, 03:27:52 PM

Quote from: Shanna on September 11, 2016, 02:53:57 PM
Tried wiring the pi, ds18b20 & SSR up using a breadboard last night. Two temp probes are picked up by the pi & also get registered in craftbeerpi software. However I can't get the SSR powered up with the ground/gpio output specified from the web software. It marks gpio 17 to use for a heater but when I connect that to + terminal on the SSR & ground from the 5v side of the breadboard to the - terminal of the SSR. I tried the SSR with a 9v battery & it works. I suspect that the SSR I have (supposed to be 3-32DC) is not getting enough power from the pi via the breadboard. I tried reading the power output from the pi and it's just 3v. I have a fotek SSR, googling this suggests that it's the SSR not being manufactures correctly & it requiring more than 3v. Anybody any experience with dealing with these type of SSRS?

Going to try powering it direct off the PI pins to see if there is an issue with the breadboard.

Shanna

I have the same ssr connected directly to a 3v gpio pin on the pi zero.  I will double check the pins when i get home. I an only using the breadboard for the temp probes

Thanks appreciate that but no need it's working now after I redid my dodgy cabling :)

Shanna

Fascinated by this thread, just need someone to post me a link where I can buy one full assembled

Quote from: CH on September 11, 2016, 04:39:11 PM
Fascinated by this thread, just need someone to post me a link where I can buy one full assembled

Will ur PID herms be coming on the market then?

Shanna

Box prep done,  waiting on a 5v convertor and a 3.5 inch touchscreen. (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160911/467c1f5cb5525de5bb85bae8dcdb69d8.jpg)

do you really need radiator facing outside? How warm it is during usage? Did you try?
I have 2kW and wondering If I can put it inside.

I put mine on the outside as it gives me more room on the inside,  i will attach an earth wire as well. The heatsink will perform better on the outside  but a lot of people put them inside the box for neatness and have no problems.

I have an ardbir with a similar setup running a 2.5 kw element,  it gets hot but nothing major.

Yeah I have 2 heatsinks enclosed running 2 2.8kw elements. It gets warm but not hot.