National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => Equipment & Chemicals => Topic started by: admin on January 06, 2013, 09:49:40 PM

Title: Finally: network enabled fermenter temperature controller
Post by: admin on January 06, 2013, 09:49:40 PM
Finally found one...

http://arduino.cc/forum/index.php?topic=114436.0

I have ordered an Arduino Nano, dual relay board and ethernet module, all for less than €20. I have a DS1820.

Unlike the lad above I plan to solder everything to veroboard as the Nano is ideal for that, as are the other components, and it will give it good structural rigidity.

I'm also using regular relays that cost a quarter the price of the 25A SSRs, which are overkill anyway.

Version 1.5 might be able to run a preprogammed schedule. ;)

Version 2 might have a display and be settable onsite. ;)

Title: Re: Finally: network enabled fermenter temperature controller
Post by: rukkus on January 06, 2013, 10:01:04 PM
A rasp-pi paired with an arduino can be really handy as you can code using higher level languages on a full linux platform and just talk using a serial interface to the arduino. You can add usb wifi etc very easily this way. Plus you get access to graph plugins or whatever library you want.
Title: Re: Finally: network enabled fermenter temperature controller
Post by: Stitch on January 06, 2013, 10:13:59 PM
The SSR's would allow for PID control. Relays will only give on/ff control. Relays have a finite number of times they switch. You plan on only on/off control??
Title: Re: Finally: network enabled fermenter temperature controller
Post by: rukkus on January 06, 2013, 10:22:18 PM
I've heard of power related problems sometimes alright, i havent had mine running over a long period of time yet.

I was very impressed at how quickly you can knock out stuff with the two combined though.
Title: Re: Finally: network enabled fermenter temperature controller
Post by: Stitch on January 06, 2013, 10:27:21 PM
QuoteIt's a fridge on the cooling side and a bulb on the heating side, so SSRs wouldn't be of any benefit?

Ah fair point once door is closed then you won't have much loss. Thought you might be trying to control kettle elements.
Title: Re: Finally: network enabled fermenter temperature controller
Post by: JD on January 07, 2013, 09:46:45 AM
Given that the relays will be switching main voltage I would strongly recommend against using Veroboard for the relays. I'd mechanically mount the relays on a panel and wire the AC directly to and from them. The rest of the circuit is all low voltage so Veroboard is fine.

In college, many years ago, a class mate designed and build a light weight mains isolator. He used Veroboard for the whole circuit. The initial test was such that we ended up declaring his circuit as an example of the famed  "Bulk emitting substrate" class of devices. :) Basically it became a Veroboard doughnut in about 3 milliseconds and he ended up looking like a cartoon: two white eyeballs in the middle of a black face. :)

Shame to see history repeating itself.

/J
Title: Re: Finally: network enabled fermenter temperature controller
Post by: JD on January 07, 2013, 11:16:37 AM
There are no issues with using such a board on standoffs. Keep an eye on clearances underneath is the only proviso.

They're 10A rated contacts so you should have no issues with a fridge and bulb. You will likely get about 1,000,000 make/breaks before failure so given the application you're likely looking at fridge failure before relay failure.

/J
Title: Re: Finally: network enabled fermenter temperature controller
Post by: Ciderhead on January 07, 2013, 11:53:58 AM
Ciderhead is regretting now choosing woodwork over Electronics when he was 14.
Title: Re: Finally: network enabled fermenter temperature controller
Post by: JimmyM on January 07, 2013, 12:06:37 PM
Think i've a few ds1820s spare.
I'll have to find them though!
Title: Re: Finally: network enabled fermenter temperature controller
Post by: Ciderhead on January 07, 2013, 08:01:33 PM
QuoteSo that I can keep the box that contains the goodies as small as possible I've decided to go with trailing sockets. Local electrical wholesaler doesn't have them, so from ebay I ordered 4 of these. £1.49 each, free postage to Parcel Motel.

Want to get a project box with a transparent lid so that I can see the good stuff.

(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/1-GANG-WHITE-TRAILING-SOCKET-WITH-NEON-NO-LEAD-9128N-/00/s/MjU0WDIxMw==/$T2eC16dHJF0E9nmFS0(hBQEpDZuN)Q~~60_35.JPG)

With your wiring make sure its Flame retardant, glass would be good  ;D
You can buy them with Polycarbonate Smokey transparent fronts, Transparent Plastics and Full Flame retardation are not great bed buddies :(
Title: Re: Finally: network enabled fermenter temperature controller
Post by: JimmyM on January 22, 2013, 11:07:18 AM
So the ds1820s i gave ya worked?
Title: Re: Finally: network enabled fermenter temperature controller
Post by: JimmyM on January 22, 2013, 05:44:55 PM
What are they? AND gates or something? Too lazy to google
Id say i do...
Title: Re: Finally: network enabled fermenter temperature controller
Post by: JimmyM on January 22, 2013, 05:46:35 PM
Jesus im good - wtf do you need AND gates for?? you have a micro processor sitting there.

...Ive loads of that sort of shit.
Title: Re: Finally: network enabled fermenter temperature controller
Post by: JimmyM on January 23, 2013, 01:09:07 PM
Ah very clever :)
I'll make sure I have them - nearly sure i do.

Arduino - well the atmel chip - can do 3.3v as well. There may be other components on the board that dont do 3.3v though.
Title: Re: Finally: network enabled fermenter temperature controller
Post by: JimmyM on January 23, 2013, 04:58:44 PM
Haha cool!
Prob used up all the memory with the image :P
Title: Re: Finally: network enabled fermenter temperature controller
Post by: JimmyM on January 23, 2013, 05:20:13 PM
how much for the oled display? whats the resolution?
Title: Re: Finally: network enabled fermenter temperature controller
Post by: JimmyM on January 23, 2013, 05:29:57 PM
No - I havent done anything like that for years, since college.

Now that would be cool!! Group buy of DIY network temp controllers and a day out putting them together, together!
Ahh I can see the android and iPhone apps and web portals now.

Our friends in tog did a "design a PCB" day a little while ago - i remember one of the lads in work sending it on to me.
Title: Re: Finally: network enabled fermenter temperature controller
Post by: Beerdoh on January 25, 2013, 12:58:08 PM
If you want a hand with any of this stuff let me know. I have some experience with it - I used to work for Maxim as an Apps Engineer and designed a SMPS while I was there. I know a bit about the 1-Wire DS18B20's you're using too and have messed around with an Arduino using them. I can get you free samples of Maxim parts if you need them too - just off the top of my head - ADC's, Temperature Sensors, 5V Regulators - all that stuff. Just let me know.
I used Proteus and OrCad for my designs - afaik Eagle isn't completely different for capture and layout - but I don't have access to it so I can't comment exactly.
There are a few free PCB tools out that are pretty good - check out Designspark, i've heard good things about it - a little biased towards RS though! :P
Title: Re: Finally: network enabled fermenter temperature controller
Post by: rukkus on January 25, 2013, 07:42:41 PM
I was thinking that a safe and easy way of turning heaters and fridges on and off would be to use some wifi/bluetooth or IR sockets that are used in home automation setups.

A wifi temp probe and a few scripts and you could have one rasp pi or a pc controlling them all.
Title: Re: Finally: network enabled fermenter temperature controller
Post by: rukkus on January 26, 2013, 11:17:50 AM
Somethink like http://www.ebay.ie/itm/OWL-Multisocket-Power-Saver-Strip-4-Individual-Sockets-Remote-Control-TSE007-010-/140872270509?pt=UK_Computing_Other_Computing_Networking&hash=item20cca442ad#ht_2268wt_1033 would give 4 sockets that could be switched on or off. I've seen similar in lidl or aldi before. They seem to be cheap enough to pick up.

Somethink like this might save someone messing around with mains voltage :)
Title: Re: Finally: network enabled fermenter temperature controller
Post by: rukkus on January 26, 2013, 07:51:40 PM
I think the one i had was zx +2 :)
Title: Re: Finally: network enabled fermenter temperature controller
Post by: Ciderhead on January 26, 2013, 08:27:34 PM
You electronics guys crack me up ;D

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahKH19iN2SM[/media]