BrewBit vs. BrewPi

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FooFytr
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BrewBit vs. BrewPi

Post by FooFytr » Thu Feb 20, 2014 11:28 am

In the interest of geeking out my brew process, I'm doing some research in to what temp controller/monitoring system would be the best and the most fun. BrewBit (https://brewbit.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) Hasn't shipped yet but looks great and simple. BrewPi (http://www.brewpi.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) has been out for a little while and is a great DIY project. Have any of you tried the BrewPi ? Any other suggestions for interesting controllers/monitors?

I've currently got a Johnson Controls A419 for temp control in my fermentation box and have tried the same with a Love temp controller. I've got a Raspberry Pi now but have not added it to the mix yet.

Thanks for any suggestions !

Cheers!

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blacktip
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Re: BrewBit vs. BrewPi

Post by blacktip » Fri Feb 21, 2014 12:40 am

Right now I have a BeagleBoneBlack hooked up to a DS18B20 and a SSR, holding my temp at 15 degrees(http://www.brewnosers.org/forums/viewto ... =41&t=5821" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). It's cool setup for me, but it depends on your level of comfort with Linux, soldering, and flashing things. I love it. It's a bit beefier than a Pi, but isn't documented as well. Also, you can flash the OS to onboard, but I just use a SD card, similar to the Pi.

You really could get by with a Pi, and EDIMax wireless card, a SSR, and a DS18B20(ballpark it at $65, your time is $0/h, right? :) ). You have the Pi, so you're looking at about $30 for the rest of the bits(excluding a thremowell of some sort). If you were going to get a kit, I'd go for the BrewPi, because you have a pretty open base. With BrewBit, you have whatever they want to sell you, when they want to sell it to you.

I've found a few Javascript libraries that I plan on sticking together and see how it goes...
Automata Brew Works - https://twitter.com/automata_bw

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Jayme
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Re: BrewBit vs. BrewPi

Post by Jayme » Fri Feb 21, 2014 2:06 pm

I'm assuming you're using an SSR instead of a mechanical relay due to controlling temp by PID? If so, bear in mind while this is fine for heating, you will promptly kill a fridge compressor with that method. You're better off with a mechanical relay (no voltage drop or need for a heatsink) and control as on/off (no pulsing) with a 10-15 min delay between cycles for the compressor to recover. Perhaps you already knew this but just thought I'd mention it!
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blacktip
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Re: BrewBit vs. BrewPi

Post by blacktip » Fri Feb 21, 2014 5:09 pm

I was wrong about the type of relay, it's this: http://www.robotshop.com/ca/en/dfrobot- ... relay.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; It's mechanical. After research, it's obviously mechanical.

I knew a bit about the need to delay the compressor cycles, but didn't know the intervals. Thanks! :cheers2:
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Re: BrewBit vs. BrewPi

Post by FooFytr » Sat Feb 22, 2014 5:08 pm

Thanks for the suggestions!! I think am going to stick with the Pi+Arduino and build a simplified BrewPi. Already have the wireless card for the Pi, expansion board on the way, thermo bits and pieces and worked out my heat source. I'd like to add some sort of fermentation monitor as well ... webcam counting bubbles from the airlock?? Mic listening for them and spitting out that data ?? Not sure exactly but it's on the list (because geek)

I love that you're using the BeagleBone, way to DIY!! You're right about the BrewBit, it isn't the most customizable but their software is open source so I'm sure some things are possible. After some experimentation, I'll post my fermentation box build in the DIY section.

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Re: BrewBit vs. BrewPi

Post by blacktip » Sat Feb 22, 2014 5:48 pm

Think what you're looking for is a manometer. There's something from Freescale, http://ca.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Free ... BTh18ovzX0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; that looks like it might be the ticket.

I was planning on a convoluted system that used a reflected beam being broken, and counting the displacement needed to move the airlock, but this seems much more sane.
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Re: BrewBit vs. BrewPi

Post by FooFytr » Tue Feb 25, 2014 11:47 am

Haha .. you're totally right, this does seem a little more "sane" :) I think, because I already have the gear, that I might try the camera paired with a simple motion sensing application. I can generate a report from the application as to on/off values then compare that with the timestamp. in theory, this could give me my BPM (bubbles per minute) and I would know as it was slowing down. I'm not going to spend a ton of time on this but it would be a fun addition

Cheers!

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Re: BrewBit vs. BrewPi

Post by blacktip » Tue Feb 25, 2014 12:07 pm

The other thing I thought of: if you can get a low resistance flow meter, that seals "well enough" to be able to measure revolutions, that would be ideal. I'm probably going to get http://www.adafruit.com/products/828" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; to test this theory.

The Freescale sensor posted above is a dual-port manometer, and the ports are not input and output as I originally thought.
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