During the July software update, Bob mentioned the inclusion of support for the new analogue GPIO module and it’s availability would be after you guys returned from the summer holiday. Would you mind providing an update of the status? Our unitanks came with PT100 rtds mounted much lower in the cone than where the 1-wire sensors are mounted. This would give us an earlier indication of the temperature of the wort during filling and an idea of the temperature stratification that occurs during fermentation (we also have tilt pros for top temps). I did build an arduino based readout that mounts locally but I’d like to have all three readouts in the dashboard. We are also very interested in monitoring tank pressures remotely (currently we use a webcam which is not ideal).
Thanks in advance - I realize that Bob is not currently working on the project.
We just moved to a new office and are still unpacking. Adding the analog IO board will be one of the first things I’ll do when we’re fully back up and running. Sometime next week I think.
Do you have an ETA for the analogue GPIO module? Also, will you be selling pressure transducers or alternatively, can you recommend a model(s) that would be suitable for installation with the new module?
Another option we have considered is connecting a pressure transducer to an ESP32 or arduino for wireless connectivity (ones with integrated bluetooth are too expensive) and logging it to BrewBlox through MQTT similar to how it was done with the iSpindel GravityMon firmware a couple of years ago.
Thanks and hope all is well. All the best for the new year.
The wireless pressure transmitter mentioned in Nov is now complete and working well. This project uses an I2C sensor in a stainless housing and an ESP-32 controller. The sensor manufacturer provides options on sensor range and fitting types. I’ve used the 0.2MPa (0 - 28 psi) sensor with the G1/4 fitting (BSPP 1/4") connected to a tri-clamp fitting. Both the analogue gauge and this sensor are mounted on a stainless tee on the unitank. The programmer (Magnus) opted for 0.4MPa sensors with an NPT fitting to connect to kegs.
We have 4 of the sensors and have tested them against a 0 - 60 psi digital gauge with a stated accuracy of 0.2% of full scale. After correction for the zero offset, the sensors were all accurate and linear up to 25 psi. I have completed and installed 2 builds (electronics in 3D printed cases) and they have been working great. Our builds use 18650 batteries and externally mounted switches so the case size is relatively large but it can be quite a bit smaller using a LiPo battery and the PCB Magnus has also developed.
The firmware allows for pushing the readings to various service endpoints. We use MQTT to send it to display and graph in BrewBlox which we can access remotely. This allows us to monitor when fermentation is complete and the carbonation status during conditioning.
Magnus has just released the initial version and is still working on the documentation. You can read his post here with links to the project and documentation.
Interesting. Currently I measure the pressure myself in two unitanks and send this to node-red in Raspberry PI - and from there I forward to Brewfather.
But I look very much forward to the day where Brewblox is able to receive the data and I can start to remotely control spunding and add Co2 using the hardware and software from Brewblox!
Our primary reason for pursuing this option was to simplify mounting a pressure sensor and to remove the need for running any more wires to the ferrmenters (which we drop down from the overhead). However, we are considering adding a solenoid operated valve above the spunding valve tee to be able to isolate the blow off remotely using BrewBlox. This could be quite handy on the weekend. A CO2 supply system could be implemented in a similar manner.
Our solution doesn’t provide the ability to automatically control anything with the pressure data which I believe Elco’s new board will allow. However this isn’t something we needed so this was perfect for our use case.
Note the developer is currently implementing analogue sensor and I2C display support to provide more versatility. Brewfather is also one of the service endpoints that can be sent to directly.
