peteru said:1. Intermittently, the controller will turn the heat and pump off for less than a second and back on. When this happens a relay clicks.
2. When in direct heater power control mode, any time you change the heater power level to 100%, the pump stops and starts. Changing between other power levels, such as 75% -> 80% does not show this problem.
3. The temperature readout can get stuck in some cases. For example, I set the target temp to 65C. The read out started at 22C, but then it remained on 29C for a long time. I checked the temp with another thermometer and it was already up to 48C. Turning the controller off and on fixed the issue and the readout then correctly showed 48C. This has happened twice now.
4. If you start the step mash mode using the control panel menu, there appears to be no apparent way of getting out and going back to manual control. The only way seems to turn off and on.
I'll have to shoot an email to the manufacturer.
So it looks like 1 and 2 are "quirks" by design, 4 could be fixed in the future by a firmware update and 3 is not something they've seen before.Grainfather customer service said:1. The pump relay is turned off before switching the heat relay on, and then the pump is turned back on. This is supposed to happen and is to avoid the pump relay turning off when turning on the heat relay (issue with beta units) because in some situations the available power is too low. We couldn’t use a bigger transformer and still get certification so this was a software compromise. It doesn’t affect usage whatsoever.
2. When using 100% power, the controller uses the mechanical relay to supply full power to the element. When using less than 100% power, the controller uses the triac and a PWM signal to control the power to the element. This is by design.
3. This is the first reported instance of this happening that I’m aware off. I would have to reproduce and confirm the issue to see if it’s a bug in the firmware. We will need to get the controller back and run tests on it.
4. Yes the only way to quit step mash mode while if brewing without a phone is to turn the power off and on.
Yes.sixfignig said:OK so I've order a Grainfather Connect to act as the controller for my own 1V recirculation system build.
In regards to the temperature probe, how is this implemented in the Grainfather? Does it sit in a thermowell, and if so, what size should I buy to accomodate it?
Nowelly2 said:Just bought a Grainfather Sparge Heater to replace my Crown urn (which I found too big and unwieldy for the task of sparging). Wondered if anyone has made any mods, got any tips/inside info on it? I realise there's not much to it - fill it with water and turn it on but y'know!
I just use it as is, it's very set and forget. At the moment I just fill a jug repeatedly to add sparge water to the basket. I do plan eventually to make a stand of some sort to simply gravity feed it into the basket. That may require changing out the tap for a ball valve to control the flow though and paying careful attention to the amount added to the sparge as I usually fill to the max line regardless.welly2 said:Just bought a Grainfather Sparge Heater to replace my Crown urn (which I found too big and unwieldy for the task of sparging). Wondered if anyone has made any mods, got any tips/inside info on it? I realise there's not much to it - fill it with water and turn it on but y'know!
The probe is hardwired into the controller. It is on a 50cm long cable. The probe has a metal tip that is 35mm long and 6mm in diameter. There is a plastic moulding between the tip of the probe and the cable. This moulding is about 26mm long and 9mm in diameter, with a 9.6mm diameter ridge in the middle.sixfignig said:In regards to the temperature probe, how is this implemented in the Grainfather? Does it sit in a thermowell, and if so, what size should I buy to accomodate it?
Cheers mate, I really appreciate the response and accurate measurements. Do you know of any retailers, online or otherwise, that may sell something suitable?peteru said:The probe is hardwired into the controller. It is on a 50cm long cable. The probe has a metal tip that is 35mm long and 6mm in diameter. There is a plastic moulding between the tip of the probe and the cable. This moulding is about 26mm long and 9mm in diameter, with a 9.6mm diameter ridge in the middle.
I would say that a 6mm inner diameter thermowell should do the trick.
Which has prompted me go and pick up a grainfather connect controller this arvo.Futur said:Gents the grainfather connect app is now on the Android store
cool. thanks for the heads up.Futur said:Gents the grainfather connect app is now on the Android store
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