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4-channel TC meter and datalogger project
randytsuch
Top  #251 Print Post
Posted on 07/08/2010 10:38 PM

Quote

allenb wrote:

Quote

JimG wrote:
I hope this doesn't screw up anything somebody has already done. I should have looked at this sooner and brought it up then.

Will this work?

Jim


Bill, received the MCP9800. Appreciate you going through the time/trouble!

Jim,
I'm not totally following what this change will affect.

Will this change how we construct the shield (headers) or does this only affect the connections from the Arduino to LCD?

Allen


It's the connections between the Arduino and LCD.

I don't really care, since I haven't wired up the LCD yet. Bill may have an opinion, since he proposed using the "standard" LCD wiring.

Randy
 
rama
Top  #252 Print Post
Posted on 07/09/2010 4:32 PM
Ed (farmroast) turned me onto this project through home-barista.com. Very impressive and exciting stuff.

I've received the PCB (thanks Jim!), and ordered the Duemilanove, but have been waiting for Mouser or Digikey to stock all the parts (futile?) before advancing.

The project mostly interests me to see RoR and to archive better roast logs than my hand-written notes. From what I gather, a v2 will include an LCD of some sort? My ideal scenario would be a simple display that would display RoR without the need to tether a PC to the roaster.

Lastly, a question for JimG- why doesn't this parts list include thermocouple(s)? http://code.googl...ki/BuildIt

Thanks for everyone's efforts towards this. :Clap:

--Rama
Edited by seedlings on 07/12/2010 8:55 AM
 
Dan
Top  #253 Print Post
Posted on 07/09/2010 9:11 PM
The Arduino has a touchscreen shield made by Liquidware. You might be able to us that for an output. http://www.liquid...
Edited by seedlings on 07/12/2010 8:55 AM
 
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randytsuch
Top  #254 Print Post
Posted on 07/09/2010 9:37 PM

Quote

rama wrote:
have been waiting for Mouser or Digikey to stock all the parts (futile?) before advancing.

From what I gather, a v2 will include an LCD of some sort? My ideal scenario would be a simple display that would display RoR without the need to tether a PC to the roaster.

--Rama


You might check Newark, see if they have the parts.

v2 will not include an LCD, but it will have a connector to make it easier to hook up an LCD.

Randy
 
JimG
Top  #255 Print Post
Posted on 07/09/2010 11:35 PM

Quote

rama wrote:
From what I gather, a v2 will include an LCD of some sort? My ideal scenario would be a simple display that would display RoR without the need to tether a PC to the roaster.

Lastly, a question for JimG- why doesn't this parts list include thermocouple(s)? http://code.google.com/p/tc4-shield/wiki/BuildIt


Hi, Rama -

As Randy said, a pin header connector for an LCD display is being considered for the next (if there is a next) version of the PCB.

But this is purely for convenience. The present design will allow you to connect an LCD by using pins plugged into the sockets along the edges of the shield. So there's no need to wait for v2 for LCD support.

Bill has written a not-yet-released version of aBourbon.pde that supports a 16 x 2 LCD. Hasn't been tested yet, and it is based on the original pinouts. But I'd guess there might be a new download that includes LCD support for the Bourbon software within a week.

Regarding thermocouples, about all I can say is the software expects type K. The probe style is going to depend entirely on your roaster. Collectively, probably someone on this forum has added probes to every roaster out there, and I'm sure you can get some good advice here.

Jim
 
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JimG
Top  #256 Print Post
Posted on 07/10/2010 9:32 PM
Updated Bourbon application has been posted in the downloads area of the project googlecode site:

http://tc4-shield...00710a.zip

This version supports both standalone operation using the LCD as the display device, and/or realtime plotting on a laptop computer interfaced via USB.

Attached is a bad photo showing the LCD layout .. only kidding. The photo won't upload. Try the following link instead:

http://tc4-shield...photo1.JPG

Jim
Edited by JimG on 07/10/2010 10:00 PM
 
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randytsuch
Top  #257 Print Post
Posted on 07/11/2010 12:28 AM

Quote

JimG wrote:
Updated Bourbon application has been posted in the downloads area of the project googlecode site:

http://tc4-shield...00710a.zip

This version supports both standalone operation using the LCD as the display device, and/or realtime plotting on a laptop computer interfaced via USB.

Attached is a bad photo showing the LCD layout .. only kidding. The photo won't upload. Try the following link instead:

http://tc4-shield...photo1.JPG

Jim


Hi
So, I hooked up my TC4 today, and everything seems to be working fine with it. I used my hold the end of the TC to heat it up test, and it worked, for TC1 and 2.

But, I do have a problem. It works fine with the 7/3 version, but nothing happens with the new 7/10 version.

When I run the 7/10 version, the log file is completely empty, which seems very strange.

I was also wondering that the abourbon file was dated 7/10, but the pbourbon file was dated 7/3?

Randy
 
JimG
Top  #258 Print Post
Posted on 07/11/2010 5:08 AM
Oops. The updated pBourbon shoulda been in the zip too.

Corrected version now available for download:

http://tc4-shield...00710b.zip

Also, please note that there is a configuration file (pBourbon.cfg) that must be edited to match the USB COM port on your machine. On my laptop it is COM5, but it will probably be different on your machine.


Jim
Edited by JimG on 07/11/2010 7:06 AM
 
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seedlings
Top  #259 Print Post
Posted on 07/12/2010 8:54 AM
Posting from the cheering section. Very exciting stuff!

CHAD
Roaster: CoffeeAir II 2# DIY air roaster
Grinder: Vintage Grindmaster 500
Brewers: Vintage Cory DCU DCL, Aeropress, Press, Osaka Titanium pourover
 
allenb
Top  #260 Print Post
Posted on 07/12/2010 2:30 PM
Ditto from the cheering section!

Although since my Arduino and other parts have arrived and are now staring at me I guess I'll have to move to the assembly bench section and get to work soldering.
1/2 lb and 1 lb drum, Siemens Sirocco fluidbed, presspot, chemex, cajun biggin brewer from the backwoods of Louisiana
 
allenb
Top  #261 Print Post
Posted on 07/12/2010 5:29 PM
Help,

Before I start soldering, I need some clarification on attaching the LCD wires to the shield. Do I need more sockets to attach to the shield? If yes, is this why the discussion about longer pins?

Allen
1/2 lb and 1 lb drum, Siemens Sirocco fluidbed, presspot, chemex, cajun biggin brewer from the backwoods of Louisiana
 
JimG
Top  #262 Print Post
Posted on 07/12/2010 6:32 PM
Hi, Allen -

There are several ways to tackle the LCD thing.

First, if you use "normal" header pins (male on both ends, long on one side, short on the other), and point the long ends down so that they will engage the sockets on the Duemilanove, then you might want to solder the LCD wires directly to the TC-4 shield. You would attach the LCD wires in the same blob of solder used where the short ends of the pins are soldered to the shield.

Alternatively, if you use the pin/socket combination pieces that are referenced in the notes at the bottom of the Bill of Material, then you will still have open sockets on the top of the TC-4 shield after you have mounted the shield to the Duemilanove.

Into these open sockets you can insert stripped wire leads (for temporary use or testing) and run the leads to the LCD. Or, you can solder (or crimp) the LCD leads onto loose pins. Those pins can then be inserted into the open sockets.

In hindsight, an 8-pin header dedicated to an LCD would have been a nice feature on the shield. But even with this header lacking, it should be relatively straightforward to wire up the LCD.

Jim
 
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bvwelch
Top  #263 Print Post
Posted on 07/12/2010 6:39 PM
Allen,

Glad you asked about stacking shields, before soldering... there are lots of ways to do things, and all have trade-offs.

Here is a web page that has some photos that illustrate the problem but please note: I'm not suggesting that you necessarily adopt his approach. Instead you can get some 'stacking headers from Modern Devices or Sparkfun. http://techartblo...ields.html

A typical shield, for situations where there will be only one shield used for the project, has 'male' pins soldered on the bottom side of the shield's pcb, such that the longest part of the male pin is on the bottom side of the shield, and just a short post sticks thru to the top-side of the shield and is soldered in place. See my first assembly of the tc4-shield 'connector' photos here: http://bvwelch.co...

The above is fine for a datalogger. And you could connect an LCD by tack-soldering some 'fly-wires' (maybe a ribbon cable) or even another connector onto the short pins that stick out the top-side of the shield.

But another approach, and possibly a superior approach, is to simply use longer pins -- so-called 'stacking headers', that are inserted from the top-side of the tc4-shield, and soldered from the bottom, and have long pins sticking out the bottom that can plug onto the Ardinuo. The top-side of the tc4-shield would then look just like the Arduino -- have some female 'sockets' on top and allow another shield to be plugged in. Notice JimG's photo closely here: http://code.googl...c4-shield/
Edited by bvwelch on 07/12/2010 7:11 PM
 
bvwelch
Top  #264 Print Post
Posted on 07/12/2010 7:15 PM
For quick experiments with things like the LCD, I am using these jumper cables from Sparkfun. I'm sure you could build your own or buy from other sources, but hopefully this will give you some ideas.
http://www.sparkf...ts_id=9385
Edited by bvwelch on 07/12/2010 7:16 PM
 
allenb
Top  #265 Print Post
Posted on 07/12/2010 7:34 PM
Jim and Bill,

Thanks, that clears up the LCD connections for me. I'll probably go for soldering the wires onto the short pins top-side of the sheild.

Next question. I'm sure a lot of us tinkerers have some older parallel LCD's hanging around. I've got one that looks the part but might not meet the requirement.

I've got a 1998 Truly MTC-C162DPRN-2N that seems to have the right pin-out.

Is there a quick way of determining if our older stashed LCD will meet requirements?

Allen
1/2 lb and 1 lb drum, Siemens Sirocco fluidbed, presspot, chemex, cajun biggin brewer from the backwoods of Louisiana
 
bvwelch
Top  #266 Print Post
Posted on 07/12/2010 9:32 PM
Allen that LCD should plug and play just fine - give it a try, nothing to lose and might save you $10 or so. I recommend using some sort of pin and socket cabling scheme which will allow you to try various displays. You may have seen the jumper cables I am using for evaluating my stash of LCDs (see above)

The 'standard' Arduino library for LCD these days is named LiquidCrystal (clever huh) and is for the Hitachi HD44780 controller. This Hitachi controller is very common and many companies make compatible controller chips. Your display uses a Samsung controller chip but it is HD44780 compatible. -bill
Edited by bvwelch on 07/12/2010 9:35 PM
 
randytsuch
Top  #267 Print Post
Posted on 07/13/2010 1:03 AM
Hi guys
Updated my user manual per the latest software. Jim changed the way the USB port number is entered, so I needed to make a minor change in my guide.

I have the basic TC4 system working, and I have been working on my PID setup this past weekend. As part of this, I finally added a boost transformer to the heater. I also mounted the LCD in my chassis, and made all the holes to mount the Arduino. Tonight, I added another thermocouple connector, so I have two in the chassis.
Getting close to the point where I can try it out in a roast.

Randy
 
JimG
Top  #268 Print Post
Posted on 07/13/2010 8:00 PM
(nevermind)
Edited by JimG on 07/13/2010 8:03 PM
 
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randytsuch
Top  #269 Print Post
Posted on 07/13/2010 8:05 PM

Quote

JimG wrote:
Randy -

The board schematic is no longer at the link given in the user manual (http://www.mlgp-llc/ etc....)

The best link for folks who want to see the schematic and other hardware files is here:
http://tc4-shield...100628.zip



Jim


Thanks for checking my document.

I'll see if there are any other comments, and then load an update if a few days.

Maybe I'll just include a copy of the schematic, I could make a reference section.

BTW, I had one comment for you, on the LCD pin list. It would be helpful to include the POT wiring in that file, it's the only thing missing, to connect the LCD.

Randy
 
Dan
Top  #270 Print Post
Posted on 07/14/2010 6:29 AM
I've been following this thread from the beginning with great interest. Since I first heard about the Arduino I've been wanting to use it for roaster control. I'm not interested in datalogging. Still, this project is great for our hobby because it is based on an inexpensive controller and open-source code.

I would still like to work on this proposed roaster controller project.
Edited by Dan on 07/14/2010 6:45 AM
 
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bvwelch
Top  #271 Print Post
Posted on 07/14/2010 8:56 AM
Hi Dan,

I'm very glad to hear of your interest. I think the two projects will converge -- think of datalogging as a means of debugging the other project.

However, my safety-related question about the other project still goes unanswered (at the end of the other thread). -bill

ps that touchscreen/shield you referenced above in this thread cost about $175 !
Edited by bvwelch on 07/14/2010 8:57 AM
 
randytsuch
Top  #272 Print Post
Posted on 07/14/2010 11:46 PM
I got things setup tonight, and am in the middle of my 2nd roast using the TC4.

I like the graph, with the program I was using, you could not really see the line, so the graph really didn't do much. This is much better.

I already have noticed something with one of my profiles that I don't think I like, will need to see if I can fix it.

I only have the BT probe connected now, the ET probe is still connected to my PID, which I am still using to control the roast. I'm not sure if I will try manual control, or not.

Randy
 
bvwelch
Top  #273 Print Post
Posted on 07/15/2010 12:17 AM
Hi Randy, very cool that maybe you're already getting something useful out of the project!

Crazy idea-- our host/pc 'processing' app could also send our results to pachube, and folks could monitor our roasts remotely or review later. Kinda feels like 1984 though... http://www.pachub...
Edited by bvwelch on 07/15/2010 12:18 AM
 
allenb
Top  #274 Print Post
Posted on 07/15/2010 10:44 PM
I'll be firing my shield up tomorrow if I can get the programs downloaded successfully.

Looking for guidance on LCD wiring if I'm using without backlighting. Do I include the pot around GND and 5V?

Also, what pins do I use for powering the Arduino if using a 9V battery? Barrel jack or Vin?

Allen
1/2 lb and 1 lb drum, Siemens Sirocco fluidbed, presspot, chemex, cajun biggin brewer from the backwoods of Louisiana
 
randytsuch
Top  #275 Print Post
Posted on 07/16/2010 12:38 AM

Quote

allenb wrote:
I'll be firing my shield up tomorrow if I can get the programs downloaded successfully.

Looking for guidance on LCD wiring if I'm using without backlighting. Do I include the pot around GND and 5V?

Also, what pins do I use for powering the Arduino if using a 9V battery? Barrel jack or Vin?

Allen


LCD pins 15 and 16 are for the backlight, so you don't need those, but you need everything else, including the POT. It sets the brightness of the letters.

If you follow my guide, you should get the software running.

BTW, I connected my LCD tonight, I have everything working now.

Randy
 
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