Automated Brewing

[Reuben Rowntree]

Hi Guys, I've decided to add some automation to my home brewery, and I'm looking for a few tips before I decide on the system. I'm currently brewing 20L all grain using a cooler or chilly bin as the mash tun, and boiling in a 30L pot. I plan on stepping up to 40-50L batches at some point and maybe even bigger. At this stage I'd like to automate a lot of things before the boil, but nothing too complicated.

I first thought I'd get a PID temperature controller, they start at around $50 it seems, but this quickly spiraled into something much more ambitious. Imagine having all your valves and heat controlled by a remote. The control panel at this place just blew my mind - So super cool, I think I NEED one for Christmas :)

After further investigation I came across two products that seem very interesting:
Brewtroller
BCS-460

I like the idea of the brewtroller (extremely customizable), and it seems like it might be cheaper - about $180 including some SSR's. But, I like the web interface of the BCS-460, I use a mac and the idea of controlling the brewery from an iphone or ANY web browser is very cool.

So I'm swaying towards the BCS-460, any comments? Does anybody here use either of these?

Initially, I just plan on having the controller keep the mash temperature constant (RIMS/HERMS) style, controlling a pump and an element. Eventually I may add valves etc.

I'd like to keep the entire cost/upgrade under $1000 if possible. I read a thread at aussiehomebrewer which goes something like this:
BCS-460 $187USD
+
SSR's $64USD inc Heat sinks (for four)

Not sure about these or other pieces needed:
Element ??
Pump ??

[Dale]

I went the brewtroller way because of all it's upgrade options and that the code is open source. They are developing remote monitoring/control software. I've used the PC version but haven't looked into the web interface.

It does require you to build the unit up and to load code via computer so more work to get up running than the BCS-460

I've gone for 2 x SSR for HLT and RIMS element, 2 x SPST for pumps and 2 x pressure sensors for volume.

I'm only doing second brew with mine tomorrow so still working through all it's options

[Reuben Rowntree]

Wow cool, that's funny you say that actually, because over the last day or so I've started to think how cool it would be to have volume sensors. And maybe the Brewtroller is a better choice. Something I don't believe the BCS-460 can do yet. This video on the volume sensor was what got me thinking:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VaRCh_TuFM

How much were the sensors and where did you get them from? Also, did you buy the Brewtroller as complete from oscsys.com?

I actually downloaded the BTremote software to see what it could do, it looks pretty cool. I noticed there was an option like "send to the web" or something on the last page. Do you know anything about that at all?

Cheers
Reuben

[Dale]

The Brewtroller is def more work than the BCS-460 but I did like the updatability of the troller so I didn't look that hard into the BCS.

I got my sensors direct from freescale, Temp probes, SSR, Switches and power supply from EBay, rest from oscsys.

I haven't had a chance to hock the volume sensors up yet. Will be interesting what it's like in the MLT with grain in.

Yeah I need to do the upload to web. I'll give it a go over next day or so and let you know what it looks like, I think I've heard it handles remote control from it as well.

[Greig McGill]

What was a ballpark cost for your setup Dale? I was just listening to the BasicBrewing podcast, interviewing the Brewtroller guys, and I have to admit, I started to feel little gear-lusty. I always fear that if I automate too much, brewing will lose its magic creative feeling, but hey, I can always turn it all off! :)

[Dale]

Greig all the gear for mine was just under $300. I know what your saying about getting tooo automated so I've wired all mine so there is a manual and auto switch.

My setup's nothing like http://forum.brewtroller.com/showthread.php?t=727&page=10

[Greig McGill]

Nice! Right, this is clearly something I need to think about in the new year...

[Reuben Rowntree]

Cool, I've been swaying towards this way more and more now actually. I can live without the web interface immediately, I'm thinking like something more along the lines of theelectricbrewery.com now.

I was thinking the volume sensor in the mash tun would be hard to configure because of the grain, so I thought if you had one in the HLT, you could probably pump water into the Mashtun until the HLT reached a desired level. Eg start with 26L or whatever and pump into the MT until this level drops to 13L etc. The Volume sensor in the kettle also looks to be pretty difficult, but perhaps the "bubbler" thing could be achieved or maybe it's not important after you start the boil. ie You can use it to stop the sparge when the kettle is full.

Definitely keep me up to date, it's great to hear somebody else is using one. I'm keen to hear how the BTremote software works.

[Reuben Rowntree]

Hi Dale, do you have a link at all for the volume sensors? To me, it seems as if freescale doesn't sell them directly (MPX5010), but through digikey or mouser. Is that who you got them from? Oh and I decided to go the Brewtroller way, so just organising all the parts :) How's, your system going?

[Dale]

Hey Reuben, I just got the MPXV5010GC6T1 direct from Freescale as they offered these one's as samples so you only had to pay $5USD admin costs.

Let me know what you plan of getting from where as I found EBay cheaper for a few things rather than direct for the Troller guys.

 

Haven't had a chance to play anymore with mine but planning on brewing on Saturday so I'll kick in the BTRemote and the web interface and post pictures of what it looks like for you. 

[Reuben Rowntree]

Holy Cow! That was a good tip cheers!! Yeah ebay looks good for a few things, I have seen the temperature probes there for $6USD w free shipping. They look a little short but would probably do nicely.
I'll look forward to hearing how your brew goes :)

 

Cheers

 

[Dale]

Also Reuben if your not in a hurry they are working on the 4 board which they recon will be a few months away from being released. Not sure what extra features they plan to have over my 3.3 board.

[Reuben Rowntree]

Actually  I couldn't wait and bought the version 3 :) I see the version 4 is now available - oh well.

I decided to blog about my experience with the whole setup in hope of helping others. Here is the first post, others to come shortly:

http://www.forum.realbeer.co.nz/profiles/blogs/brewtroller-system-b...