How High-tech Is Your Brewery?

[Pumpy]

+1 for Linux. Knocking code togther in Python is easier than VB too (IMO).

As for control, I'd probably grab a nice little Atmel AVR controller board. They have plenty of IO capability (you can get rid of your usb thingy) and are pretty cheap ~$40.

I have absolutely no experience with PLCs. Can anyone compare using a PLC with using a general purpose micro controller?

I think I'd prefer to bash out a bit of C code than ladder logic.

How do PLCs go interfacing with PCs or other display technology (LCDs)?

You tell him Zizzle !!!!

Pumpy

 

[Duff]

The AVR stuff is really cool. You can program them in BASIC or C (etc, etc) and pay as little or as much as you want for the compiler, programmer, board, etc. I built my own board (for a robotics project) out of veroboard, built my own programmer and use WinAVR. I'm just trying to decide on a bootloader so I can permanently leave the Bluetooth interface in place.

If you don't want to go there, the NetMedia things are fantastic - either with your own board or one from Peter Anderson, or Parallax. The BASIC they use is very like VB (not the beer, or the airline) and quite pleasant as such things go...

Pfffttt ^_^

Can a PC or software system tell you when you have added too much roast barley to that stout, or just added to a porter , or if you truely believe that munich belongs in a Kolsch? Nope.

Mine's basic BTW.

Cheers.

 

[oldbugman]

Yep. Flash b*&(*(&d.

says MR GARAGE minus EARTH

 

[Stuster]

says MR GARAGE minus EARTH

How can people can be so unkind.

PS. I'm with Duff. I sit at a desk all day. Brewing is a chance to do something a bit more hands on.

:lol:

 

[bonj]

I tried to put an AVR project together a couple of years ago, but never managed to get it to work. I told you I wasn't that good with hardware. How many computer scientists does it take to change a lightbulb? None... that's a hardware problem. :lol:

I've never tried Python... should check it out. C and PHP are my usual weapons of choice.

+1 for Linux. Knocking code togther in Python is easier than VB too (IMO).

As for control, I'd probably grab a nice little Atmel AVR controller board. They have plenty of IO capability (you can get rid of your usb thingy) and are pretty cheap ~$40.

I have absolutely no experience with PLCs. Can anyone compare using a PLC with using a general purpose micro controller?

I think I'd prefer to bash out a bit of C code than ladder logic.

How do PLCs go interfacing with PCs or other display technology (LCDs)?

 

[poppa joe]

Bonj.......
You got a blinker switch to go with those wheels.......?????????????
I need one for my car......
SORRY O.T. I know..... :lol:
Cheers
PJ

 

[PistolPatch]

Glad you got my joke about plagiarising Jonathon. Phew!!!

BTW, Poppa Joe is Bonj's dad. It'll take a while for you to get that one but don't worry, it's not half as good or quick as Jayse's sky hook joke though I think it could possibly be true.

LOL
Pat

 

[Jono_w]

Pat,
Once I realized I had a damn good laugh..

Dave,
I have no webpage but if i find some time I might try and throw one together with some more info.

MAH,
Keep going $$$$ lol.

 

[bonj]

BTW, Poppa Joe is Bonj's dad. It'll take a while for you to get that one but don't worry, it's not half as good or quick as Jayse's sky hook joke though I think it could possibly be true.

Okay PP, enlighten me. Totally lost me on that one. :lol:
Although I can tell you that it isn't true. My dad doesn't live in Nowra, and drinks the cheapest light beer he can find. :lol: Or my homebrew when he's up from Victoria.

 

[reVoxAHB]

Hmm, Linux, heard good things never tried it. Good old XP sp2, hasn't locked up during a brew yet. not bad thats Two out of two brews! I'm sure it will.

Another vote for linux here

If you must stick with XP, consider using a stripped version like TinyXP(rev.5) or build your own using the following software: nliteos from your existing XPSP2 integrated .iso/CD.

That way, you can keep only the parts of XP your rig requires. In doing so, you will free resources, improve stability and hopefully decrease the potential of XP/PC locking during a brew.

XP in and of itself, running processes or otherwise, is bloatware.

For example,
TinyXP Rev5 Stats:
Windows Performance Info...

Operating System RAM Memory Usage > 42Mb ( 3Mb)
WINDOWS folder > 397Mb
Running Processes on 1st install > 12
Install Time for Windows > 8 Minutes
-----------------------------------------------------

That's a beautiful rig you've built! Well done and welcome to the forums!

I think you've created a new sub-genre: brewer's porn porn. :blink:
edit: dubbel porn

 

[Jono_w]

reVox,
Tiny XP sounds good.
I still need to be run Visual Basic because the software is still very much under construction. I will look into it.

 

[Pumpy]

Pfffttt ^_^

Can a PC or software system tell you when you have added too much roast barley to that stout, or just added to a porter , or if you truely believe that munich belongs in a Kolsch? Nope.

Mine's basic BTW.

Cheers.

Duff ,

You must understand that some people get a lot of fun 'Pimping up their Brewery'

Its like putting Mag wheels on your car .

Its like wearing a Bugs Bunny or Daffy duck neck tie in bright colours .

I suppose its the 'Wow factor' playing here .

It is not totally disimilar to a flashing logo that changes colour it used to be special but now even Batz has got one

One should never knock R& D even in the Home brewery .

Pumpy

 

[ArnieW]

The Motorized valves are Honeywell VC6012 240v valve actuators. They were purchased for around $20 each surplus from www.oatleyelectronics.com they are good because they slowly (6 seconds ) actuate.

Hey Jonathon, I don't suppose you know if Oatley still has any - did a search on their website but could not find any. I don't suppose you have any spare either do you?

cheers, Arnie

 

[Jono_w]

Hey Jonathon, I don't suppose you know if Oatley still has any - did a search on their website but could not find any. I don't suppose you have any spare either do you?

cheers, Arnie

Arnie,
Unfortunatly they had 8 and i used 7, they may be able to tell you if they could source some more.. Drop them an email.

 

[oldbugman]

Arnie,
Unfortunatly they had 8 and i used 7, they may be able to tell you if they could source some more.. Drop them an email.

Threw out quite a few(a couple of boxes full) of these recently

Not quite sure I'd be sending 100deg liquid thru them.

 

[oldbugman]

Found some info for you

Two-way Cartridge Cage Valves. These 2-position (open/closed) hydronic valves are intended for use in a normal indoor environment to
control the flow of hot and/or cold water, or glycol solution to 50% concentration. These valves are designed for on-off zone control of
heating/cooling systems, or to control individual fan coil, baseboard radiator or convector applications. Depending on the model
selected they can be controlled by either a low or line voltage SPST or SPDT controller, such as a room thermostat, aquastat or flow
switch. For trouble-free operation of the product, good installation practice must include initial system flushing, chemical water
treatment, and the use of a 50 micron (or finer) system side stream filter(s). Remove all filters before flushing.
Valve Type: Unitary
Body Pattern: Two-way, straight through
Controlled Medium: Water w/max of 50% Glycol
Stem Travel: 0.4 in. (10 mm)
Valve Action: Stem up to close A port
Maximum Operating Pressure: (20 Bar)
Maximum Close-off Pressure: 60 psi (4 Bar)
Timing (sec, min.) when used with VC series Actuator: On/Off
models with 6 sec; Floating and modulating with 2 min.
Fluid Temperature Range: 36 F to 230 F (1 C to 95 C)
Ambient Temperature Range: 32 F to 150 F (0 C to 65 C)
Materials
(Body): Bronze
(Stem): Stainless Steel
(Cartridge): Ryton, Noryl engineering plastic
(Packing): EPDM rubber
Comments: Characterized cartridge for use with floating and modulating
actuators
Approvals:
Canadian Standards Association: CSA Certified

Also a handy hint is you can change the guts of them with out removing the body from the pipe work.

 

[Tony]

This is my pneumatic capper, so much easier.
View attachment 12603


Cheers..

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh thats what i did wrong.

I tried to build one based on a conventional bottle capper design but it just felxed backwards, and believe me it was strong.

That would eliminate the flex.

I have sent an email to try and recover the lost artifact from my previous employment and modify it to get it going.

I had it set up with a pressure switch so when the ram reacked a certain pressure after capping it operated a solenoid and sent the ram back up automaticly. Push buttin operation with indication lights............. man i was upset when it wouldnt push a cap on.

cheers

 

[ArnieW]

Found some info for you
Also a handy hint is you can change the guts of them with out removing the body from the pipe work.

Thanks OldBugman, but the problem with most of these types of valves is the small aperture which means you need things like the 50 micron filter. They would only be suitable for the most well behaved and filtered brewing machine. While I've never tried them, I think they are asking for trouble as any small grain husks will either block the valves or block the filters. Those motorised valves act more like normal large aperture ball valves - that's the kind I'm looking for.

Jonathan, I've sent off an email enquiry to Oatley.

cheers, Arnie

 

[kirem]

Jonathan, I've sent off an email enquiry to Oatley.

cheers, Arnie

I would be interested in their response.

 

[Jono_w]

Threw out quite a few(a couple of boxes full) of these recently

Not quite sure I'd be sending 100deg liquid thru them.

http://www.honeywell.se/energi/vceng.pdf
1 - 95deg C .
Whats 5degC between friends!