Search found 70 matches

by pngaudioguy
Sat Feb 21, 2015 12:21 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: VFD speed control possible?
Replies: 6
Views: 4715

Re: VFD speed control possible?

A quick Google search turned up several hits for "pwm to voltage" to convert PWM output to analog voltage output. There's a pretty simple one based on a 5V arduino supply which is the same as what the BCS outputs are. You'd have to add some circuitry to scale it to 0-10V, but might give yo...
by pngaudioguy
Mon Feb 09, 2015 11:04 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Pre-planning stages of BCS based homebrewery
Replies: 70
Views: 46669

Re: Pre-planning stages of BCS based homebrewery

If you've been following along, you know I decided to go with one 9kW heating element for each of the boil and HLT kettles. I did the math and realized that's basically 40A draw, which is absolutely not going to work on the normal 30A twist-lock NEMA connectors everyone uses. At first, it seemed lik...
by pngaudioguy
Tue Jan 27, 2015 5:01 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Pre-planning stages of BCS based homebrewery
Replies: 70
Views: 46669

Re: Pre-planning stages of BCS based homebrewery

Thanks for your thoughts, oakbarn. I only have one or two beers that I make with any regularity, otherwise I'm typically trying new stuff out, so I'm looking to make use of the recipe utility in the v4 firmware to enable having one set of processes for brew day that have times and temps adjusted usi...
by pngaudioguy
Sun Jan 25, 2015 8:00 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Pre-planning stages of BCS based homebrewery
Replies: 70
Views: 46669

Re: Pre-planning stages of BCS based homebrewery

So, I've started putting my thoughts on the actual programming process onto paper for my system. Here's what I'm thinking, based on the way I envision I'd like to have a brewday go, and the amount of automation I'm targeting. I know it's a really long post, but I'd love to get feedback from those of...
by pngaudioguy
Tue Jan 20, 2015 11:46 pm
Forum: Wiring, Electrical, Relays and Sensors
Topic: Source for connectors?
Replies: 10
Views: 10889

Re: Source for connectors?

As an audio guy, I tend to think of stuff I'm familiar with first. I suggest mini-XLR connectors at $3.95 each. They're just about 3/8" diameter. If you've seen a wireless belt pack, it's the connector that the lapel mic connects to the pack with. Redco sells both genders in cable and panel mou...
by pngaudioguy
Tue Jan 20, 2015 11:41 pm
Forum: Wiring, Electrical, Relays and Sensors
Topic: e-herms elements
Replies: 6
Views: 7027

Re: e-herms elements

I'm going to be using the weldless, non TC fitting version from brewhardware: https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/hotpod-ewl3.htm - $26 In my home brewing configuration, I see no need for TC fittings and their added cost. This is of course just my opinion, and there are many that will advise othe...
by pngaudioguy
Tue Jan 13, 2015 8:50 am
Forum: Wiring, Electrical, Relays and Sensors
Topic: BCS wall wort connection
Replies: 21
Views: 14696

Re: BCS wall wort connection

Some quick reading indicates that the -12V rail on most ATX supplies has a fairly low maximum amperage (in the vicinity of 1A.) As JonW points out, make sure you don't overdraw whatever is listed on the specs stamped on the supply.
by pngaudioguy
Thu Jan 08, 2015 3:36 am
Forum: Roadmap and Feature Request
Topic: 4-20mA and RTD support
Replies: 55
Views: 106879

Re: 4-20mA and RTD support

brahn wrote: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!
by pngaudioguy
Tue Jan 06, 2015 5:02 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Pre-planning stages of BCS based homebrewery
Replies: 70
Views: 46669

Re: Pre-planning stages of BCS based homebrewery

Yikes! $76 per kettle? They are pretty and shiny, but I'm sure I can get a quality weldless mount for my heater elements for quite a bit less than that somewhere! I won't need to be having easy on/off access, so the tri-clamp has minimal interest to me in this application. Edit: Found one pre-assemb...
by pngaudioguy
Tue Jan 06, 2015 1:48 am
Forum: BCS in Action
Topic: our distillery BCS...
Replies: 9
Views: 25428

Re: our distillery BCS...

That is very cool. Lots of nifty equipment beyond what is needed for beer making there!

Two quick and completely unrelated questions to the process. Are those 3 way illuminated switches? What part of the process is making them blink like that?