JasonB18 Posted March 5, 2012 Author Share Posted March 5, 2012 As for the computer control,, my brother and I are heavy into robotics,, we have a robot that mows our lawn ( i can watch video of it on my phone,, if i want to) ,, we built and programed using G.P.S and other censers I wont get into. But yes If the system works like it is so-posed to, I should be able to push a button that says European lager ( or whatever the brew is) then the system automatically does the temp controls for me. Start at 24c then drop to 12c at what ever time I program it to do. This way all I have to do is mix the kit, add the yeast then lock it up and hit the button for the kind of brew it is and the computer takes over from there,, it even reminds me to check the Krossen collar after 4 days. And it tells me when to do my first FG reading ( it sends texts to my phone to remind me). It has been kinda hard to program since I can't find very good information about just using the Coopers Brew Kits ( with no extras),, what temps,, what average gravity readings ,, things like that.. I guess I have to do testing for myself to get a base then program from there. If you would like to know what chips we are using for this project or our actual program I can probably post it. ,, It is the boring part of my brewing ,, even waiting for a brew is more exciting than the computer programming part. [biggrin] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squishy Posted March 5, 2012 Share Posted March 5, 2012 It may be boring to do but that is COOL!!!! When i win Lotto I'll get you to build me one.......... Maybe i should start buying tickets[unsure] [unsure] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamH1525226084 Posted March 5, 2012 Share Posted March 5, 2012 To me it's like heaven [love] beer and programming [lol] I have done some for my work while drinking beer. Always funny reading through it the next day [w00t] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 If you would like to know what chips we are using for this project or our actual program I can probably post it. ' date=', It is the boring part of my brewing ,, even waiting for a brew is more exciting than the computer programming part. [biggrin'] Yes, please do. I do C++ development mostly for embedded systems so this would be interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kike Gimenez Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 Thats pretty awesome jason, gj mate! Im into programming aswel, what intrigues me is how did you board up ur temp controller into ur pc. And now that I think about it you can do a lot of stuff with this invention of yours. Again great job mate. I was in a robotic telescope team back in College, tho im really apart from electronics atm, it would be interesting to see how you managed that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonB18 Posted March 6, 2012 Author Share Posted March 6, 2012 Well this is the control box,, It uses WiFi to communicate to my computer. My computer can graph the temps and send me text alerts if the temp raises or lowers to far. http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc491/Sidekicksport96/DSCN1307.jpg http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc491/Sidekicksport96/DSCN1308.jpg I forget the name of the micro chip we are using right now but there are many out there that can do the same thing this one can. I am still waiting for the new temp sensors so I can hook this up to the cooling system, then finish the programing. The Coopers Pilsener brew is my test brew,, the cooling system is taking it's time dropping the temp from 18-12C. Right now the brew is at 16c, it is still dropping. I started this brew at 24c on the 2nd of march. I might need to bump up the cooling system so it can cool faster, but for right now I am going to leave it alone and see how it does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 It may have been wise to run the test on either Ale or just plain water. Nevertheless, I am sure you will sort it out [rightful] I forgot to ask previously... what are you using as a heating device for when you need to warm it up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 I forgot to ask previously... what are you using as a heating device for when you need to warm it up? Apologies to Jason if he was going to field this question, but essentially those Peltier devices are a solid state heat pump. (His appears to be the 40w one commonly found in smaller coolboxes etc.) Long story short, if the controlling circuitry is designed with heating in mind, a simple swing in polarity (done carefully) will result in a heating effect to a similar extent, or to put it another way, a device capable of pulling the 'load' side down by x degrees below ambient, should have the ability to also raise the 'load' side x degrees above ambient. Other factors come into play of course, but it's a rough rule of thumb.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonB18 Posted March 10, 2012 Author Share Posted March 10, 2012 Right, Jim, By switching the polarity I can raise the temp inside the room. Heating the Fermenting chambers is not problem. I have a 40 gallon salt water fish tank that sits in the same area and keeps the temps in my brew room at 20-21c ( without cooling ). We have several different sizes of Peltiers, the one I am using now is about 1.5 x 1.5 inches Or 3.8 x 3.8cm for you metric readers [roll]. I also have one that is 2 x 2 inches (5.1 x 5.1cm) and a 3 x 3 inch(7.6 x 7.6cm). The larger the Peltier I use the bigger the cooling I need to use on the hot side, The faster I cool the hot side down, the colder the cooling side gets. It sounds a little confusing but it really is simple. The whole system runs off 12 volts, even the L.E.D lights inside the chambers. Right now the temp inside my fermenting chamber (where the Pilsener is ) is sitting at 12-13c, it doesn't seem to want to go lower than that,, I will use the 2 inch Peltier for my next brew that uses a Lager yeast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonB18 Posted April 12, 2012 Author Share Posted April 12, 2012 It has been awhile since I posted. I have been busy :) I built my home keg setup with a little beer fridge that holds 12 740ml PET bottles or many store bought cans of so called beer. Here are some Pictures,, This is what it looks like,, it is a 5 cubic foot chest freezer. http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc491/Sidekicksport96/DSCN1310.jpg I am still waiting for my 2nd tap and keg setup to show up, But when it gets here I am ready to install it. My built on beer fridge, http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc491/Sidekicksport96/DSCN1311.jpg This is the back of it where I put the temp controller, http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc491/Sidekicksport96/DSCN1315.jpg This is the inside. It has enough room for 3 kegs and the Co2 tank. I use a computer fan to circulate the cold air through the lil fridge and behind the taps, then back into the freezer. http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc491/Sidekicksport96/DSCN1317.jpg Pouring a glass of Ice Cold Coopers Home Brew on tap[biggrin] http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc491/Sidekicksport96/DSCN1312.jpg http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc491/Sidekicksport96/DSCN1313.jpg Oooh Ya,, it is mumm good [love] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamH1525226084 Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 You've been a very busy boy. How's the room going? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 13, 2012 Share Posted April 13, 2012 Nice setup Jason. Is it a PITA when you need to put a keg in or out?.. just thinking you'd have to lift the lid and if the fridge is full it could be a PITA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 13, 2012 Share Posted April 13, 2012 Brew Porn [love] Yob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonB18 Posted April 15, 2012 Author Share Posted April 15, 2012 Ya I have to take the beer out of the fridge when changing Kegs,, not a big deal tho. My fermenting room has been working great[cool]. The 2 Coopers fermenters are awesome, and now using kegs, I think this is the coolest and most enjoyable hobby I have ever done. The initial build cost was kinda high, but now it is all payed for and I can start saving money brewing my own beer[biggrin] . OOh, I planted my own Cascade hops and they seem to be doing good sofar. I plan on building my own full grain brew setup soon, heh always something to work on [lol] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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