I saw that, If I did it that way, its not going to be as “Sexy” as the original because I don’t have the extra child boards for the LCD, switch and connectors. Seems worth it to use the manufactured Shield… This guy put it in a box… I plan to laser cut the original enclosure so it looks nice 
There is an active DIY. Forum thread going on over at hbt. They are even building in LCD support all using protoshield layouts.
HOWTO - Make a BrewPi Fermentation Controller For Cheap
As an alternative to the new BrewPi Spark I’d like to offer a cheap headless version in the future.
The Spark is just a much better platform than Arduino and with the Photon coming, not more expensive.
I think the cheaper DIY version will have:
- Spark headers
- OneWire
- RS-485
- 3 or 4 outputs
- No display
- No enclosure
- No DC-DC converter
Really just a bare minimals board that is cheap and small.
How does that sound?
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Elco,
That sounds great. The only issue is keeping the shipping cost down for overseas buyers.
Jimmy
Jimmyorkin,
I wouldn’t think shipping would be much if you chose NL non tracked. Thats what I did And it didn’t cost much. But it also depends on stuff you buy at one time
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Hey Elco,
I’m also very much interested in getting one. Me and a group of friends are definitely going to build this. We’re in the process of getting all the materials (the fridge particularly) and have been reading the instructions several times. Since we already have most of the electronics (i have plenty of arduinos and pis around the house) we would really like to get this.
Do you still have any pcbs?
I’ve got a few I just had printed up… Give me some time to make sure I can get everything working with 1 and I’d be happy to sell off the other 2 PCBs I have… They made me do 3 as the minimum order…
Zapbbx, How do you get them printed? or who did you go through? That looks awesome
Had them makde up at: https://oshpark.com/
I’ve got the 2 temp sensors working, The LCD… But I had the 2.0 Acrylic case cut out, which doesn’t quite match this version of the board… This isn’t the version of the board that Elko outlines in the soldering guide… So, I’m going to have to work a little magic to avoid messing up the case…
I am in the same boat, I think I got one of the last 3 shields (had I paid closer attention i might have bought them all). Now I am left with waiting for multi-chamber support, or building my own shield
Any thought on making the original layout files available so anyone could order them up from hackvana.com?
Thanks!
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That sounds fantastic.
Hopefully the next few runs of the photon are a little larger, as they appear to have sold out until May.
Ooop, just posted this question in the hardware forum, but… if there’s any way of getting my paws on a shield as well, that’ll fit in the case I’m currently having lasered (at the cost of not five but TEN gallons of my IIPA!), I’d love one. The thing’s a work of art, for FSM’s sake!
I mean, I love the BrewSpark - I really do - but can’t really justify spending the $200 or so it would cost, especially when I already have the Arduino, Pi, and LCD in my electronics box. (That said, when it incorporates continual gravity monitoring, I’ll be all over it!)
has anyone tried setting up a fermentation fridge without the arduino?
I’m new to RPi and Arduino as well but it seems that both the temp probes and the SSR can be connected to the Pi, so it seems like a matter of porting the PID algorithm along with the settings. Or am I missing something (other than the Arduino probably being a more stable platform)?
you answered your own question there. a question that has been brought up about a dozen times now.
I’d love to get started with the BrewPi and hack around on software too. But I know it’ll be a while before you guys can get the next set of BrewPi Sparks out. Do you have a parts list and/or the shield file available that we can download and crank out ourselves? Or is your Nov. 14th post at https://community.particle.io/t/looking-for-feedback-on-brewing-shield-with-touchscreen/7203/42 the latest version? Thanks!
That is not the latest version, the latest version was made a week ago and the boards will be ready in 2 weeks.
The enclosures will be ready near the end of July unfortunately, but the new version will be available with or without enclosure.
I doubt you can have a PCB made and source all parts in 2 weeks. And it will probably cost you more than what I charge for a ready made board.
Ah cool! I’m excited for it, thanks!
PCBs arrived, hand soldered one for testing and all tests passed. Production (soldering) starts Monday.
Here is a preview:
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The new brewpi sparks have 4 Actuator ports?
That will be awesome.
I had the board made by SeeedStudio Fusion https://www.seeedstudio.com/fusion_pcb.html (10 boards only $4.9 What a fantastic service that guy offers!!) I have 8 extra board, PM me if you want to get one.