Matho's controller

[lael]

So how do I get my hands on one of matho's boards / kits and which arduino would you recommend using with it? I'm just starting with the whole microcontroller thing, though I'm comfortable programming. What would you recommend to learn arduino?

 

[Edak]

So how do I get my hands on one of matho's boards / kits and which arduino would you recommend using with it? I'm just starting with the whole microcontroller thing, though I'm comfortable programming. What would you recommend to learn arduino?

I recommend that you get a starter kit like this:
dx.com
Then you have everything you need to get your hands dirty.
Work through some examples and use the arduino website for info.

 

[lael]

ok, arduino ordered! Does anyone have one of matho's shields they want to get rid of/don't need?

 

[matho]

I have a spare PCB that I was putting aside for my own use but you can have it, PM me your details. You will have to source all the parts yourself as I don't have any left.

cheers steve

 

[lael]

I have a spare PCB that I was putting aside for my own use but you can have it, PM me your details. You will have to source all the parts yourself as I don't have any left.

cheers steve

Steve,

That's incredibly generous! PM on its way!

 

[tynian]

Hey Guys,

So my little brown pump was not up to the task yesterday. As a result I am looking to buy a 240v pump to replace it.

Would it be possible for anyone who has fitted the RC suppression circuit to send me a picture of how they have hooked it up?

Cheers
Rob

 

[bigbanko]

I have a little spare time over the xmas break so I knocked up a mobile stand for the brewer which is at a good height to lift the malt pipe and also place the controller at a more comfortable level.
Also made room for some storage underneath and a place to put the esky when chilling the wort with my chiller.

I also added a power box with a 12volt supply to run a bilge pump when wort chilling.

Controller just lifts out of the bracket and packed away when not using.

I fill the esky with water and ice while the pump recirculates it through my wort chiller.

I will give it another run this weekend on the new stand.

 

[Edak]

I have a little spare time over the xmas break so I knocked up a mobile stand for the brewer which is at a good height to lift the malt pipe and also place the controller at a more comfortable level.
Also made room for some storage underneath and a place to put the esky when chilling the wort with my chiller.

[img=[URL="http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x27/bigbanko/P1010391.jpg%5D"]http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x27/bigbanko/P1010391.jpg][/URL]

I also added a power box with a 12volt supply to run a bilge pump when wort chilling.

[img=[URL="http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x27/bigbanko/P1010394-1.jpg%5D"]http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x27/bigbanko/P1010394-1.jpg][/URL]

Controller just lifts out of the bracket and packed away when not using.

[img=[URL="http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x27/bigbanko/P1010392.jpg%5D"]http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x27/bigbanko/P1010392.jpg][/URL]

[img=[URL="http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x27/bigbanko/P1010397.jpg%5D"]http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x27/bigbanko/P1010397.jpg][/URL]

[img=[URL="http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x27/bigbanko/P1010393.jpg%5D"]http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x27/bigbanko/P1010393.jpg][/URL]

I fill the esky with water and ice while the pump recirculates it through my wort chiller.

[img=[URL="http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x27/bigbanko/P1010395.jpg%5D"]http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x27/bigbanko/P1010395.jpg][/URL]


I will give it another run this weekend on the new stand.

looking great! Is it beneficial to run the ice water through at the start rather than later in the cooling cycle? I would have thought that it would melt all your ice too soon before it cools down enough.

 

[bigbanko]

looking great! Is it beneficial to run the ice water through at the start rather than later in the cooling cycle? I would have thought that it would melt all your ice too soon before it cools down enough.

I use ice that I make by filling 3 litre ice cream containers which I keep replacing as they melt. If the water level gets a little high in the esky I just flip the return line over to an empty bucket and and drain some off.
Last time I brewed I had 7 blocks of ice and this brought the temp down to 22c from boiling.

I have plenty of room to make and store ice so thats not a problem.

 

[bonj]

looking great! Is it beneficial to run the ice water through at the start rather than later in the cooling cycle? I would have thought that it would melt all your ice too soon before it cools down enough.

The greater the heat differential, the better the heat exchange... but if you don't have enough ice to last for the whole run, I would think it'd be best used at the end where you can get the cooling water below ambient. I'm not a scientist though (well, not in that field )

 

[Sammus]

I use ice that I make by filling 3 litre ice cream containers which I keep replacing as they melt. If the water level gets a little high in the esky I just flip the return line over to an empty bucket and and drain some off.
Last time I brewed I had 7 blocks of ice and this brought the temp down to 22c from boiling.

I have plenty of room to make and store ice so thats not a problem.

7 blocks, good to know. How much liquid were you cooling?

 

[bigbanko]

7 blocks, good to know. How much liquid were you cooling?

20 liters

 

[stux]

And 7x3 = 21. Interesting no?

 

[bonj]

That would be interesting if the ambient temperature and the temperature of the water from the tap were known...

 

[bigbanko]

That would be interesting if the ambient temperature and the temperature of the water from the tap were known...

I started with 25 liters of chilled water approx 3-4 deg c. When the temp comes down and the water gets hot, I pump off the hot water into a container, then fill with tap water and start adding the ice.
I then cool the initial hot water and use it next time.

Using the garden hose wastes too much water as the ambient temps here can stay between 30 and 43 degrees during summer.

I also keep the water at the end and use it to make ice.

 

[Judanero]

Is there some sort of group order happening at the moment for the pcbs? If yes.... count me in for one!!

 

[Sammus]

Hey Guys,

So my little brown pump was not up to the task yesterday. As a result I am looking to buy a 240v pump to replace it.

Would it be possible for anyone who has fitted the RC suppression circuit to send me a picture of how they have hooked it up?

Cheers
Rob

No worries, here's a pic I just took https://www.dropbox.com/s/jr2t0yd58p6532p/20130120_133710.jpg The capacitor is the yellow thing on the right, you can see the resistor attached to one of the legs just underneath it.

I used the bits linked below in series, and soldered them across the pump switch terminals on the shield.

certainly is gave it a more thorough testing today, works like a charm! Used http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?I...;SUBCATID=967#1 and http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?I...;SUBCATID=968#1

 

[tynian]

Thanks Sammus. I will be off to jaycar later this week

Rob.

 

[breakbeer]

Hi Guys,

After a few months of tinkering around (and a shitload of help from AHB member Edak) I've almost finished my controller, all that's left is the 240V wiring. I was considering getting a sparky to do it but now I'm thinking of tackling it myself & then just getting it checked.

I need some advice about positioning the temp probe. Keeping in mind my rig is not a Braumeiser clone, it's a 70L pot & I use a crab cooker basket to hoist the bag. I've been using an STC100 up to now (with mixed results) and have a stainless probe hooked up to it which I just use to submerge in the grain.

I have one of these temp probes:

http://www.eio.com/p-41870-sure-electronics-mb-sm17116-3m-digital-thermal-tank-sensor-horizontal-ds18b20-rohs.aspx

and here's the pot, it has two elements but only one is in use during the mash (the one closest to the bottom of the pic)



I just can't decide where to place the probe? I recirculate from the bottom & up through the lid & I'm looking at making it a dual return.

Does it really matter where I place the probe?

Any advice would be great. Sorry if you think this is the wrong thread, but it loosely relates to Matho's controller so I put it here.

 

[Judanero]

If you're going to be recirculating then it doesn't matter imo, changes in temp would be negligible (unless maybe directly above/below the element).

I'd probably put it opposite the tap. Potatoes..potatoes. :beer: