JimG wrote:

This is to announce the availability of a new LCD option that was designed specifically for the TC4C standalone board.

The new adapter, the LCDapterC, is also fully compatible with the TC4 shields.

The new wrinkle on the LCDapterC is that it optionally can be mounted directly on the TC4C using 3 standoffs, making a nice unit for panel mounting inside a project box. The position of the I2C pins on the new LCDapterC matches the I2C header on the TC4C. So by mounting a 4 x 1 female socket on the LCDapterC, no cable is required to enable the use of a character LCD.

Photo below shows how the new LCDapterC (with a 16x2 LCD and some buttons already mounted) can be connected to the TC4C. When connected together, there are 4 accessible holes intended for panel mounting.

Jim

JimG wrote:

Starting in early October, all of the TC4 pre-populated boards I've mailed out to people have been / will be pre-initialized with default identification and calibration values in the TC4's EEPROM. This will spare folks from needing to run the writeCal.pde sketch on their new SMD-populated boards.

I am also performing a small suite of tests on the temperature sensor, ADC, LED's, and output transistors on the SMD-populated boards before they are mailed. Fortunately, there haven't been any instances of bad chips on the SMD pre-populated boards reported to me, but this extra step should virtually eliminate the odds of that happening.

(I built a testing jig using a Freeduino board and a few pogo pins. PM me if you are interested in the details.)

Jim

JackH wrote:

I don't know much about the HotTop, but when I run my turbo roaster empty, BT and ET are usually about the same temperature once it warms up. Something to check.

Also, the 370 seems more like 1C to me. My 1C is usually around 370-380F. Maybe your old probe was inaccurate or the location it was mounted is different.

allenb wrote:

Jack's recommendation to check one against the other with no beans is the best way to know if the omega bean probe is off.

It's interesting how finicky bean temp probes can be. On my 1 lb easydrum I've used two different locations not very far from each other and two totally different readings at 1C. 400 F at the first location which I'm used to seeing in my fluidbed roasters and the current location reads 387 at 1C. I guess the closer we can get to 380F for a bean temp at 1C the closer we are to the actual internal bean temperature.

Allen

Barrie wrote:With Jim away, I wonder if someone else can speak to the calibration issues? I installed the HTC/TC4 combo and, at first, used it just for logging with an inexpensive probe through the chute. This worked very well, with 1C usually at around 400. Flushed with success the next step was to go the whole nine yards with bean and environmental probes through the rear wall etc. The (upgraded) probes are Omega XCIB-K-3-5-3s. This works entirely as intended, with one exception. 1C now usually occurs at 370, according to the T1 probe! Everything else looks perfect, with the environmental and bean temp/time curves exactly as they should be, if one just ignores the numbers.

Barrie wrote:
I am using Roast Logger which serves my purpose pretty well, but your chart looks very pretty. What software are you using?

MaKoMo wrote:
- Event sliders e.g. to control the Hottop heater and fan via the TC4 / HT Roaster Interface

rgrosz78 wrote:


Did you notice - it sounds like the latest version of Artisan now works with the Hottop roaster interface?

MaKoMo wrote:

Barrie, at any time you can return to the RoastLogger firmware by just another firmware update. That firmware is also available for download. Nothing to loose.

MaKoMo wrote:

The TC4C is essentially an Arduino micro controller (kind of a small PC without keyboard, mouse, display..). On that a firmware (kind of a software program) is running that receives and sends (among others) commands via the serial connection to the PC. On the PC is either Artisan or Roastlogger running. Both programs talk a slightly different language (serial protocol). To make thinks work, using the Artisan software on the PC one needs to ensure that the Arduino/TC4 is running the aArtisan sketch/firmware. For RoastLogger there is a different sketch that talks its language. One difference between a micro controller and a PC is that on the micro controller there is not enough memory to host two firmwares/programs/sketches. Therefore, if you install the aArtisan sketch, the RoastLogger sketch is overwritten. To turn back to RoastLogger, just upload the RoastLogger sketch to the TC4, and the aArtisan sketch get's overwritten. The important thing is that on both ends there are programs talking the same serial protocol/language to make the communication work.

egon wrote:If building around at least a TC4C, what's the recommended set of options?

Primo Crepa wrote:
Just this weekend I was doing some research in anticipation of adding air flow and pressure sensing into the mix along with possibly moving to the MAX31850 Thermocouple-to-Digital converter chips for their 1-wire capability. While digging around the web looking at sensors I ran across the TC4 which led me right back to here where I?ve lurked for some time.