Ideas and input

Projects General Guidance
1

I have two 5 gallon home brew kegs. these are ball lock kegs that are new and normally used for soda. I will be using it for my home brew beer. These kegs have a level sensor inside of them and what looks like a large head phone jack on the outside to connect to it. It does not look like it is a float sensor. I am wondering if anyone has a idea or a way I can use the arduino to connect to the sensor and utilize it. They do sell gauges for it that are over 100 dollars + , but I rather add this functionality to my beer project arduino.

Any ideas or input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

2

Sorry I can't be of more help, but when you finish your first batch give me a call and we can sit around and finish it off and think of some ideas! 8) XD

3

TweakGeek:
Sorry I can't be of more help, but when you finish your first batch give me a call and we can sit around and finish it off and think of some ideas! 8) XD

TweakGeek if you are in PA. I be more then willing to have you come over.

I have several cases brewed already:

BlueBerry Summer Ale
ShockTop Clone <== Extra orange and higher alcohol content
Imperial Stout
Milk Stout
Mad Bull <= Mad Elf clone with a concentrate of red bull. This thing is a kicker. Right below 18% alcohol with a little less then 80 mg of caffeine per 12 oz bottle. Taste like a wine, it is very sweet but packs a kick. Also do not smell it, smells like a strong red bull.

4

It does not look like it is a float sensor

So what does it look like?

5

Wow, you've got my mouth watering already this morning! Those sound good. I don't mind drinking beer, but I try to stay away from the "standards." Bud, Bud Light, Miller Light, etc. I do like Platinum though. Also some of my faves are Smithwicks, Berryweise (sp?), Harp and I like Guinness but it isn't truly good unless it's carbonated with nitrogen and that isn't easy to find here in the states.

Good luck on your search! Sounds like a good idea and I hope you find out how it's done.

6

majenko:

It does not look like it is a float sensor

So what does it look like?

I am trying to find a way to remove it to take a picture, but from what I see it has a standard headphone jack connector on the outside of the keg. Then inside it has a pipe that runs to nearly the bottom with what looks like a small sensor on it. I wish I could give you more info. Hopefully I be able to take a few pics this week.

I been googleing this for a few days and several people mentioned this type of keg but no one has any idea about it.

7

Plug in a headphone jack, put a meter on the leads, see if there is a resistance change as you fill the keg with water.

8

CrossRoads:
Plug in a headphone jack, put a meter on the leads, see if there is a resistance change as you fill the keg with water.

CrossRoads,

That is pure genius :slight_smile: so simple yet may be the most effective way. I will have to try that tonight or tomorrow. Thanks for the idea.

9

Engineer, don'tchaknow ...

10

Get the capacitance readings while you're doing this also. But don't call me unless it's filled with cider.

11

Chagrin,

thanks, we will be trying to create a cider this coming weekend. Depending on my schedule :0

12

I have also been enjoying brewing! Made a simple temperature log...

13

sbright33:
I have also been enjoying brewing! Made a simple temperature log...

Right now I have the following setup for the beer:

  1. Temp control during fermentation. I can set the fermentation temp and the arduino will monitor it, ifi t gets to cold it activates the heater and if it gets to hot it activates the fans.

  2. It monitors my kegerator to keep it at 38 degrees and saves power by turning it off when not needed.

Once I have time I plan to add a touch lcd for pouring and a access control to the taps. I like to have a lcd where people can read about the beer and vote on it as well as control the dispensing of it.