Ok, I've ordered my Arduino Uno kit from someone on eBay. I know absolutely nothing about writing code, so I've got a new hobby I guess. Ive read a bit of the site, so im learning some ifthe terminology, but please feel free to movk my misuse of sny of it. I've got two projects in mind to build in my future (this is of course after I figure out how to blink an LED with the Arduino and all the other Barney experiments for knuckle draggers such as myself.
Project one, the easier of the two, is to build a temp controlled fridge for controlled beer fermentation. Pretty straight foreward, I figure I don't need to learn the I2C yet for this one because I only will have two temp sensors, one fridge compressor rely output, and a two line LCD display. I think I could figure this one out given enough time.
Now, on to my pipe dream. This would actually be for both my own and a buddy's brewery who is an assistant brewmaster in Kansas at a local brewpub. We both like a hands on brewing technique, but want more control over everything than just flicking a switch or using a 555 PWM circuit. Although PWM that will be ok for the hot liquor tank and boil kettle, I want more repeat ability over my mash. So, the system would need to run with this. 5 temp sensors run via I2C to save on pins ( probably through an expansion board I assume from my misunderstanding of multiplexing). 2 outputs for controlling pumps.
3 outputs to control either heating element SSR or gas valves if someone is using gas still. Rotary encoder to set temps and things. Two buttons to control pumps (not sure if I can use I2C for these buttons to save pins on the board.
For the display I want to show all the temp sensors set point and actual temps. Showing pumps running on/off would be cool too. Not sure if I want to use multiple 16x2 cheap LCD displays, a big 20x8 LCD display, or an expensive graphic display(learning curve!!!) I've contemplated Bluetooth to another device like an iPad, but all of this is still undecided.
Now, all of his having been said, I know I need to read all the help stuff on the site, do all the little experiments, tht come with my kit, and actually finalize my dezine. In the men time, I welcome all comments and mockery if you happen to live in Dallas I do have delicious beer to have a conversation over about this.
Islandboy85:
Pretty straight foreward, I figure I don't need to learn the I2C yet for this one because I only will have two temp sensors, one fridge compressor rely output, and a two line LCD display. I think I could figure this one out given enough time.
There is very little to learn about i2c and the effort there is likely to save a lot of angst trying to live without it. I'm not aware of any temperature sensors using I2C, but it makes life a lot easier with two line LCD displays, and on board clocks typically run on I2C.
5 temp sensors run via I2C to save on pins
See above. You will likely find the DS18B20 temp sensor satisfactory, and all five of them can share just one pin. bringing them onto an expansion board is probably desirable, along with all the other stuff. Indeed, planning this is likely to be the biggest part of the project.
Not sure if I want to use multiple 16x2 cheap LCD displays, a big 20x8 LCD display,
The latter would be a hell of a lot easier, and possibly cheaper
Project one, the easier of the two, is to build a temp controlled fridge for controlled beer fermentation. Pretty straight foreward, I figure I don't need to learn the I2C yet for this one because I only will have two temp sensors...
1-Wire temperature sensors are a great choice.
This would actually be for both my own and a buddy's brewery who is an assistant brewmaster in Kansas at a local brewpub.
A somewhat common topic on the forum. Have you searched for existing projects?
...or gas valves if someone is using gas still.
You may want to reconsider trying to control gas. If you make a mistake, there is a chance that the end result is fire, explosion, or poisoning. At least with electricity the chances of explosion or poisoning are nearly zero.
if you happen to live in Dallas I do have delicious beer to have a conversation over about this.
Oops, I ordered off a link a guy I know sent me. Sorry guys. I ordered I before I visited this site.
I thought the DS18B20 was controlled by I2C...ill have to lern more about that. I would love having my brewery emblem pop up when I turn on he system, but graphic LCDs and TTLs sure do have a price jump from regular old LCDs. As far as a gas system is concerned I'd use a pilot light. I know there re ways to program a flame sensor safety, but I just priced a gas valve, and don't think it's worth the cost to go tht route. Thanks for the links. Ill read them up.
I forgot to mention I didn't search for other brewing projects. I assumed there were plenty, but I was just using my plan as a platform o introduce myself. Hi!
There aren't many I2C temp sensors around, the following are the ones I know of
MCP9800
MCP9801
MCP9802
MCP9803
AD7414
AD7415
Of these only the MCP9801 and MCP9802 have address pins that allow more than one of them to share the same wires, often a problem when using identical devices on an I2C bus. They also have an alert output you can use for out of temp alarms.
The DS18B20 is a 1-Wire device, that's different but will work just as well, no alarm feature though.
Also bear on mind that I2C was not intended to be used over long wires although many people do and there are booster chips available.
Graynomad:
There aren't many I2C temp sensors around, the following are the ones I know of
MCP9800
MCP9801
MCP9802
MCP9803
AD7414
AD7415
Of these only the MCP9801 and MCP9802 have address pins that allow more than one of them to share the same wires, often a problem when using identical devices on an I2C bus. They also have an alert output you can use for out of temp alarms.
The DS18B20 is a 1-Wire device, that's different but will work just as well, no alarm feature though.
Also bear on mind that I2C was not intended to be used over long wires although many people do and there are booster chips available.
Rob
According to this the DS18B20 does have programmable alarm functions http://datasheets.maximintegrated.com/en/ds/DS18B20.pdf. I figure its just as easy to set an alarm output in the sketch with a few lines of code. (Which I haven't learned yet ) Now, the main reason I think many homebrewers are using the DS18B20 is that it comes in TO-92 package. It's much easier to slip into a thermowell with all the leads being on one side. Would say a 5-6 foot run bee too far for the I2c bus requiring a bus amplifier chip?
Islandboy85:
According to this the DS18B20 does have programmable alarm functions http://datasheets.maximintegrated.com/en/ds/DS18B20.pdf. I figure its just as easy to set an alarm output in the sketch with a few lines of code. (Which I haven't learned yet ) Now, the main reason I think many homebrewers are using the DS18B20 is that it comes in TO-92 package. It's much easier to slip into a thermowell with all the leads being on one side. Would say a 5-6 foot run bee too far for the I2c bus requiring a bus amplifier chip?
I was not aware the DS18B20 had alarm functions but it wouldn't be hard to do your own anyway.
I would have thought homebrewers would be a lot smarter than that, and would use a DS18B20 like this.
if you happen to live in Dallas I do have delicious beer to have a conversation over about this.
) Now, the main reason I think many homebrewers are using the DS18B20 is that it comes in TO-92 package. It's much easier to slip into a thermowell with all the leads being on one side. Would say a 5-6 foot run bee too far for the I2c bus requiring a bus amplifier chip?