Hey Guys,
I've made a few comments on this on different threads but hoping there are a few others that have done the same and maybe can help each other out here.
I installed Brewpi on an on laptop that i installed Debian Wheezy on.
I built a fermentation chamber and wired it all up for use.
A this stage i am testing out the Brewpi software and have a few issues:
1) I had to install Brewpi on my arduino using a Hex compiler that wrote straight to the arduino - i was unable to install it from the Brewpi web interface.
I read somewhere that you have to have a blank arduino with only the starter and ender header written to it. I had the STC-1000+ software written to it, so this may have been the issue here.
2) When I go into the Device Configuration tab in the Brewpi interface I have to re-define the arduino output everytime I turn on the laptop or (i think) re-power on the arduino.
I dont know if its supposed to be like this, or are the settings supposed to be saved?
3) I am currently powering the arduino from the USB connection to the laptop; if this connection gets interupted (old pc dodgey connections) the arduino loses the profile or setting it was set to.
If I use the power supply for the arduino will that avoid this happening?
Anyone have any answers for 2) and 3) ?
2. What happens when you try to use the web interface? It's possibly not seeing your manual uploaded hex file as being correct. Once it's uploaded from the web interface the Arduino tends to be very stable.
3. If it's set to Beer or Temp constant then it should retain this on reboot.
If your using a Profile (defined on your PC), then this relies on the PC to manage it, it will need PC to be running to run the Profile.
If it's only Beer or Temp constant then once you've programmed it (& set your temp), it will continue to run at that setting until you change it, then just run the Arduino on a USB charger.
I got a spark last week and I was having the same problem getting it to run a profile after restarting. I'll give the beer constant mode a go and see if that persists on reboot as well.
This does beg the question of what happens with a powercut when running in profile mode. When the power comes back, does the web interface come back online and automatically restart the profile or are you boned?
Oh i can use the web interface.
Once I manually installed brewpi on the arduino it would recognise it.
When the power (the USB connection) to the arduino is lost that the web interface no longer knows what inputs are which on the arduino, and I have to re-define them.
I'm not sure if, when its set to beer or fridge constant temp, if this is retains. Its something I can test.
I wish there was a way to quickly verify that the heater or cooler has been correctly defined.
Maybe I should try to reflash my arduino from the web interface.
At this moment in time I am testing a profile on a bucket of water. To make sure it can heat and cool using the profile setting.
Bit of an update.
I figured out the issues i had.
The main issue was that i had a faulty USB cable!
I just replaced it and all my issues went away.
One thing worth noting is that the arduino does seem susceptible to voltage spikes.
I had a small mini fridge containing my yeast and hops, and whenever the motor turned on or off the connection between the arduino and the laptop was lost until the automatic reconnecting of the arduino.
I solved this by placing the fridge on a socket that was located elsewhere.