4-20mA and RTD support

[clearwaterbrewer]

bump... it is time for a pro model BCS....

[clearwaterbrewer]

bumping again, this thread has almost as many views as the 4.0alpha thread...

[clearwaterbrewer]

Bumpity-bump

[pngaudioguy]

As someone who is still in the planning stages of my automation capable brewing rig, I will add my voice to those who would love to have RTD support. I already own a number of K-couple RTD devices, and it would be great to be able to use my existing sensors with my new BCS when I buy it.

I know it's off-topic of this thread, but I like the comment above that suggested adding a DIN rail mount in addition to the flanges... DIN rail is ridiculously clean, and if you decide to reconfigure the guts, no new holes required.

[clearwaterbrewer]

OK, I am going to try to get 4-20mA working a different way.

The docs say that .1sec (10Hz) is the lowest PWM time, may I ask is this because the software is actually turning it on and off and it would take too much CPU to run it at say .002sec (500hz), or is there another reason... I would like to be able to connect this Omega PWM to 4-20mA converter to the BCS....

HE-XPC Dual channel PWM to 4 to 20 mA analog converter
http://www.omega.com/Auto/pdf/HE-X_Series.pdf

in the meantime, I am going to try one of these:
5~500Hz PWM Duty Ratio to Voltage Signal Converter Module Pulse Width
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331409349452

[brahn]

The PWM is done in software as part of the main control loop which runs every tenth of a second. The chip supports hardware PWM on 4 outputs. As part of 4.0 I considered using the hardware PWM for the first 4 outputs, but since we still needed to do software for the remaining outputs I didn't make the change.

The 4-20mA and RTD support is on the roadmap for a new BCS hardware platform.

[pngaudioguy]

The 4-20mA and RTD support is on the roadmap for a new BCS hardware platform.

Excited to see more news about this as it's available! Thanks!

[DocPorter]

Add me to the list as well as someone who would benefit greatly from a 4-20mA output.

[brahn]

The "Pro" (working project name) will have 4-20mA output support and RTD temp inputs. This is still a work in progress, so specs could certainly change before it's released.

[Dbritt]

Is there an ETA on this RTD version? I was going to purchase an existing BCS but with the options to use my current temp probes as well as 4-20ma (I'm thinking pressure sensors on tanks) I will wait...I'm just wondering how long.

Thanks