STC-1000+ Project

[Tom]

Why isn't this commercially available?! There must be a market for that. STCs are used for nearly EVERYTHING, surely a programmable STC would sell just as well.

Aaaanyway. I'm impressed Will.

[Will_D]

Really its the guy in Sweden (Matts) who did a HELL OF A LOT of hard work on this. I just downloaded his code and managed to flash 3 STC-1000s I had.

Like a lot of programmers he believes in the GNU free software philosophy so that's it: Its freely available!

[Garry]

I checked my stc collection and none of them have the 5 programmable header pin jobbies  Does that mean I'm goosed? Or are there other pins on my stc that can be used instead?

[Will_D]

Bad news I'm afraid. If its not a version 1.0 board with the 5 pads then its no use.

These are not V 1.0 and V 1.1 of the same design they are two totally different boards/controller chips.

Its pot luck at the mo on the bay as to which you will get.

Other thing is:

In my case I have 4 of these. Most are just used as simple fridge/freezer controllers and thermometers. 3 are now flashed and one cannot be. Two will be swapped locally and if I get V 1.0 they will be flashed as well.

I only have 1 fermentation fridge!

So have a word with your mates they may well have a few that they can swap.

[Garry]

I was thinking as much. I'll have a few words with the Cork lads and see if anyone has a v1.0 to swap.

Thanks for posting Will. It looks like a great project.

[Will_D]

The only identification feature that applies to mine is the size of the cross-head screw in the cover plate over the terminals at the back: small = 1.1 (no good) Large = 1.0 Flashable 

[Tom]

I spy a price-hike on STC1000 v1.0s!

[Will_D]

So after running a 4 day test I realise that:

1. Don't power the Arduino quick and dirty data logger off of an old laptop that kills the USB power when it hinernates.

2. The STC-1000+ is much more reliable than my data logger!

3. Its really pretty good at what it does.

Image 1 is the temp profile and what was achieved; It looks like my fridge couldn't drop the temp in 8 hours or the logger eff'd up. Before we hit the 2 degrees set point the logger crashed out!

4. Second image shows performance at the 2C set and hold point

[Will_D]

Over on the original site someone has noticed a distinguising feature:

Look at the green connector blocks at the back.
The mains in is on your left, then the probe then the 2 relay contacts.

If there is almost no gap between the mains and the probe connector then its a flashable one.

If there is a gap the same width as between the relays then its NOT flashable.

Offer still stands to flash them for you!

[bigvalen]

So..this is a first post, so hello...

I'm looking to turn a fridge into a fermentation heater/chiller later. I was planning on putting a standard brewing heating plate under the fermenter, running the AC wires out of the fridge. Then having something that'd let me set the internal temp of the fridge to 40C, 23C, 4C depending on what stage or what brew I was doing (mead likes 40C).

Does...the ST1000 make that happen ? Curiously, I can't find mention of an ST-1000+ anywhere. Is that why people are giving out ?

I'm also unclear...why are people involving an arduino ? Is that just to log temperature out somewhere else ? That's a great idea, but I can't help thinking an arduino that farts out UDP packets to your home server would be the best idea...

I've done a good bit of Arduino stuff, but..I assume I'd need 240VAC relays to turn on/off the heater or the fridge supply. What do people use for that ?

[Will_D]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

For heating and cooling you just need an STC-1000 - easily found on the 'bay for about €14

The 1000+ project is an experimental reprogramming ofproject of the basic 1000 and uses the Arduino to download the program to the opened up STC-1000 to which you have soldered 5 wires to it. This downloads the new firmware - you then remove the wires and put back together.

We will be at the maker fare in Dublin next Saturday demoing the process!

[bigvalen]

Awesome, I'll be there early on Saturday (I've a BBQ to run in the afternoon). I've mailed two or three ebay resellers, asking about the distances between the probe and the mains blocks, but they all said they are the same as between the relays. I'm sure I'll find one in time

John

[bigvalen]

 Actually, can someone let me know which ebay stores had the v1.0 ? (Or sell me one, for a premium

[johnrm]

@Will, I have 2 of these.
Are you saying that they can operate in factory and still have '+ mode'?
How is the profile set in + mode?
Can I bundle these off to you for flashing? I could but don't want to get into arduino programming.

[Will_D]

Hi John,

Yes once flashed they will still behave like the basic ootb one.

I will send you the documentation for you to read!

Are you comming up to Dublin for the RDS as I can get them of you then.