Kegerator ounce left

I have a kegerator that I am trying to make smarter. I want to track the ounces that are poured, do a few simple math equations and determine how many ounces I just pored in my glass and how many ounces are left in the keg.
It seems like this will require power at all times to hold the values, not an issue. I already have a working sketch with the flow sensor. It will show total volume poured right now.

My learning style is to find an example of what I want then modify it to fit my application with a lot of help file browsing so I understand what I am actually using.

Am I asking too much from my little uno? Below is my code

/*
Liquid flow rate sensor -DIYhacking.com Arvind Sanjeev

Measure the liquid/water flow rate using this code. 
Connect Vcc and Gnd of sensor to arduino, and the 
signal line to arduino digital pin 2.
 
 */

byte statusLed    = 13;

byte sensorInterrupt = 0;  // 0 = digital pin 2
byte sensorPin       = 2;

// The hall-effect flow sensor outputs approximately 4.5 pulses per second per
// litre/minute of flow.
float calibrationFactor = 18.7;

volatile byte pulseCount;  

float flowRate;
unsigned int flowMilliLitres;
unsigned long totalMilliLitres;
float kegOZ = 661;
float ozPOURED = 24.07;
float BeerLeft=647.9;

float ounces = 0.0;

unsigned long oldTotalML;
unsigned long oldTime;

void setup()
{
  
  // Initialize a serial connection for reporting values to the host
  Serial.begin(9600);
   
  // Set up the status LED line as an output
  pinMode(statusLed, OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(statusLed, HIGH);  // We have an active-low LED attached
  
  pinMode(sensorPin, INPUT);
  digitalWrite(sensorPin, HIGH);

  pulseCount        = 0;
  flowRate          = 0.0;
  flowMilliLitres   = 0;
  totalMilliLitres  = 0;
  oldTime           = 0;
  oldTotalML =0;
  

  // The Hall-effect sensor is connected to pin 2 which uses interrupt 0.
  // Configured to trigger on a FALLING state change (transition from HIGH
  // state to LOW state)
  attachInterrupt(sensorInterrupt, pulseCounter, FALLING);
}

/**
 * Main program loop
 */
void loop()
{
  
   
   if((millis() - oldTime) > 1000)    // Only process counters once per second
  { 
    // Disable the interrupt while calculating flow rate and sending the value to
    // the host
    detachInterrupt(sensorInterrupt);
        
    // Because this loop may not complete in exactly 1 second intervals we calculate
    // the number of milliseconds that have passed since the last execution and use
    // that to scale the output. We also apply the calibrationFactor to scale the output
    // based on the number of pulses per second per units of measure (litres/minute in
    // this case) coming from the sensor.
    flowRate = ((1000.0 / (millis() - oldTime)) * pulseCount) / calibrationFactor;
    
    // Note the time this processing pass was executed. Note that because we've
    // disabled interrupts the millis() function won't actually be incrementing right
    // at this point, but it will still return the value it was set to just before
    // interrupts went away.
    oldTime = millis();
    
    // Divide the flow rate in litres/minute by 60 to determine how many litres have
    // passed through the sensor in this 1 second interval, then multiply by 1000 to
    // convert to millilitres.
    flowMilliLitres = (flowRate / 60) * 1000;
    
    // Add the millilitres passed in this second to the cumulative total
    totalMilliLitres += flowMilliLitres;
      
    unsigned int frac;

    ounces=totalMilliLitres/29.57353;

    // Print the flow rate for this second in litres / minute
    Serial.print("Flow rate: ");
    Serial.print(int(flowRate));  // Print the integer part of the variable
    Serial.print("L/min");
    Serial.print("\t");       // Print tab space

    // Print the cumulative total of litres flowed since starting
    Serial.print("Output Liquid Quantity: ");        
    Serial.print(totalMilliLitres);
    Serial.println("mL"); 
    Serial.print("\t");       // Print tab space
  Serial.print(totalMilliLitres/1000);
  Serial.print("L");

  // Print the cumulative total of ounces flowed since starting
    Serial.print("Output ounces: ");        
    Serial.print(ounces);
    Serial.println("OZ"); 
    Serial.print("\t");       // Print tab space
  Serial.print(totalMilliLitres/1000);
  Serial.print("L");
  
if (totalMilliLitres>oldTotalML) {
  oldTotalML=(totalMilliLitres);
   ozPOURED=(ounces+ozPOURED);
   BeerLeft=(ozPOURED-kegOZ);
   Serial.print(BeerLeft);
   Serial.print(" OUNCES");
   ounces=0;
}

    

    // Reset the pulse counter so we can start incrementing again
    pulseCount = 0;
    
    // Enable the interrupt again now that we've finished sending output
    attachInterrupt(sensorInterrupt, pulseCounter, FALLING);
  }
}

/*
Insterrupt Service Routine
 */
void pulseCounter()
{
  // Increment the pulse counter
  pulseCount++;
}

Do a search for load cells so you can measure the weight of keg + beer. Then subtract the the weight of the empty keg to find out how much is left.
After that, search for reading and writing to EEPROM so the weight measurement doesn't get lost when power is cut.

An Arduino will have no problem doing all that.

thanks for the suggestion, the only issue with a load cell is variables in keg designs. I already have a flow sensor in place in the beer line and it accurately measures ounces.

How are you going to tell the system how much this particular keg holds?

Consider using EEPROM to keep a record of what was poured, then you needn't worry about keeping it powered up all the time.

Cool project! And I think it's well within the Arduino realm, provided you have an appropriate sensor. Presumably your keg and sensor plumbing will accommodate whatever pressure is in the keg.

What is your readout? Do you have a monitor on the bar or something?

Does your code work?
S.

Right now I am printing the readout on the serial monitor on my laptop while i troubleshoot, I have a small color lcd screen that will display readings. as for telling the system how many ounces are in the keg to start, I am thinking a switch to an input pin, signal low for one size keg, signal high for another.
I did find plastic flow sensors on amazon that can handle the pressure and are the correct size for the existing line..

The eeprom memory does look like the way to go for storing the count.

botdad1013:
Right now I am printing the readout on the serial monitor on my laptop while i troubleshoot, I have a small color lcd screen that will display readings. as for telling the system how many ounces are in the keg to start, I am thinking a switch to an input pin, signal low for one size keg, signal high for another.

Definitely an easier design problem if kegs come in only a few discrete volumes.
For output, might I suggest adding a visual bargraph-type readout, one having plenty of resolution. Sort of like a digital fuel gauge. This will provide a quick view-at-a-glance, particularly for those whose vision is impaired by too much beer.
Ideally a more exact numeric readout would also be available.
Debug this thoroughly, package it nicely, and you can sell one to every frat house in the world... :slight_smile:

S.

First we need to calibrate. Let us know where we should bring our beer mugs......

If you think a keg can hold say 1000 and you reset
Then pour 7 oz
The math is simple

As for starting values you can have presets or input any values.

You can save to eeprom every minute for about 2 years before you hit the lifespan of a memory slot .

You can wear level and make that much much longer

Instead of detaching and re-attaching interrupts and checking pulses within 1-sec, try something like (pseudocode):

volatile unsigned long pulseCount, pulseCountCopy, lastPulseMicros, lastPulseMicrosCopy ;

void setup() {
  attachInterrupt(sensorInterrupt, pulseCounter, FALLING);
  //other stuff
}

void loop() {
  noInterrupts(); // make sure we don't get interrupted while reading pulseCount
  pulseCountCopy = pulseCount;
  lastPulseMicrosCopy = lastPulseMicros;
  interrupts();
  //other stuff
}

void pulseCounter()
{
  pulseCount++;  // Increment the pulse counter
  lastPulseMicros = micros(); // µs timestamp
}

You'll get the best accuracy possible and you can take readings at any time interval without added error, as you'll know the exact pulse count and time duration for precise flow rate and volume calculations independent of how fast or slow the flowrate is.

Will you be sober enough to read the display when the keg gets to empty...?
I usually just give the keg a shake, even with the above, estimate is not far off. :slight_smile:

Your flowmeter gives 270 pulses per liter, 1 liter = 33.814 oz, 270/33.814 = 7.985 pulses per oz, I would round that off and say, 8 pulses = 1 ounce or ounces = pulses / 8, time wouldn't matter. If you poured 12 oz that would be 96 pulses. Full keg would be 661 * 8 = 5288 pulses.

Flow Rate Matters?

dlloyd:
Flow Rate Matters?

Agreed. :slight_smile:

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