iSpindel - digital WiFi hydrometer

[pottsworth]

I've just got my iSpindel up and pumping data to Ubidots, it's sitting on a shelf so all I see is temperature changes and when I pick it up / change the propped angle. I love to geek before using in anger!

I'll be brewing within a day or so and am happy to use Ubidots as my graphing service for this run but has anyone used any of the alternatives?

I'm running a number of services in house including MQTT (mosquito) into a home automation system and InfluxDB.
I'm guessing InfluxDB being a time based database is a great fit for monitoring SG over time, I run Grafana as a local graphing service out from the database for other geeky stuff I do such as solar panels, battery storage, home automation type stuff.
I have a hankering for fancier dashboards and the option to send emails when SG points are reached / temperature is out of limits etc.

Anyone strayed from the Ubidot path into the wilderness?

One of mine reports direct to brewfather, the other is connected to my brewpi running fermentrack to control the temp, which then reports to brewfather.

Brewfather permanently stores the temp & SG graphs with the rest of the recordof that batch.

I was previously using BeerSmith, and largely switched for the iSpindel integration, but I also really like the multi device integration, and the fact I can run 2 brewday timers at once if I’m double batching.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Ubidots includes messaging for specific events occuring in the data (Data, Events). Messaging in the form of sending an email, or an SMS message to your mobile phone. Curious to test it, I set up an event yesterday triggered by my Ispindel reporting an SG less than 1.0350. The SG fell below that threshold at around 2am this morning, but no SMS was received.

Unsure of how it would expect the phone number to be entered, I set +44 for the UK and tried both (075) and (751) for two separate events. Has anyone else managed to get Ubidots 'events' to work please?

 

[Wezzle]

Maybe try omitting the + and the initial zero.
That's interesting to know though, I've been interested in making a brewpi to collect data but an email could also be useful.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Maybe try omitting the + and the initial zero.

Their system puts in the +44, when you select the UK in the country list. It also puts brackets in, around the first three digits and I tried both with and without the initial zero.

 

[ChrisT]

As already suggested above, any size of iSpindel will certainly fit in a one gallon/ five litre FV of the plastic bucket with lid type and they are much easier to clean than the traditional demi-john. I cannot see anyone wanting to make less than that amount.

They come with an un-drilled lid, so one needs to be made for the airlock.

I've been donated from a family member a 2 Gallon Favorite home fermenter, apparently it's quite old!? It's a bit of a drop to get the iSpindle into the liquid on a 1 gallon batch though.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I have just done my second comparison between the reading from an actual hydrometer and the data from my iSpindel, during an actual batch of red wine. I made the first comparison when I started it, at which point the iSpindel showed 1.0812 and the hydrometer 1.0850.

As the batch is nearing fermentation completion I thought it best to do another compare.
iSpindel = 1.0951 Hydrometer = 2.020, so add 0.0250 to the iSpindel value and it is at least as accurate as the hydrometer, but certainly much easier to read.

Other than that, I have been able to leave it alone and just watch the progress on Ubidots.

 

[private4587]

Morning everyone hope someone can be of assistance, i originally bought the XXL pet containers as i was going to use the sledge method of building an Ispindel. but i like the look of the more modern boards. could someone tell me will they fit these bigger containers and if so which ones should i be looking at.
Many thanks

 

[ChrisT]

The CherryPhilip and OpenSourceDistilling PCBs fit the XL Pelting snuggly. To get either of these to fit into an XXL your going to have build some sort of support to get it to fit and not rattle around inside the XXL.

Also you're very likely to have to provide a lot of extra ballast to get it to float ay a reasonable angle. I'd stick to the XXL and a sled or go for a XL and PCB.

 

[private4587]

Thanks ChrisT will have to look up the sledge stl file

 

[ChrisT]

Just a word of warning about the sledge from my experience. I don't have a 3D printer but have someone who's happy to print for me. The size of the finished sled did not fit into the Pelting straight of the printer.

I needed to spend a couple of hours removing quite a lot of material. It's even now a tough job to get the sled in and out. I think the print was somehow scaled a few percent oversize. I'm no expert on 3D printing so can't say where any mistake was made if indeed it was a mistake.

 

[ChrisT]

So today's iSpindle conundrum!

How do you get your iSpindle out of this FV?


After pouring the liquid from the FV into a 1 gallon demijohn time to retrieve your precious gadget. Trouble is the opening isn't wide enough for it to just slip through. Jiggling, tilting, swirling, tapping nothing would get it to the right angle to just slip out.

I tried tongs, various cutlery, skewers, etc. Nothing. Time for a cup of tea... Well it floats doesn't it, fill the FV with water and just pick it from the top. Eureka! Archimedes triumphs again!

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

My 5gallons of red fermented extra quick, iSpindels graph in Ubidots had flatlined by last Thursday - just 6 days after starting, so on Friday I added the stabilizer and yesterday I was able to rack it into bottles. I have never had a wine started and bottled so quickly before. I rinsed then left the iSpindel running and reporting, just to see how long it's new high capacity 18650 might last, at a 15 minute reporting interval. It began at fully charged 4.150v and has only fallen to 4.090v 9 days later. Its one of a pair of 3400mA 18650's I bought from 'Torchy' a online battery specialist.

 

[ChilledGecko]

I'm currently using my uncalibrated iSpindel in anger for the first time at the moment.

I knocked up a MJ raspberry weisbeer kit on Monday evening and it's gone off like a rocket.

My hydrometer indicated a SG of 1.042 so I threw the iSpindel into the fermenter and gave it a while.
The iSpindel indicated a SG of 1.036, so reading low. Not unexpected.

It then rose overnight to a coincidental 1.042, I'm guessing buoyed up by the CO2 collecting on the container body.

Since then it's chugged away and within 24hrs has dropped to an iSpindel indicated 1.008.

I'll leave it until the gravity has been stable for a day and then take a hydrometer reading for comparison.

Interesting and fun!

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

That is exactly what my red wine did - it began at 1.080, then gradually increased to 1.090, before the fermentation began in earnest. I am not entirely convinced it was due to the bubbles though and the temperature remained stable within a fraction of a degree, so not that either.

Once the fermentation began, the temperature increased by a couple of degrees, with a sharp fall once fermentation was completed and the SG flat-lined.

As you suggest - interesting and a lot of fun. I have left my iSpindel running and sending data, just to see how long my new battery can keep it going - 13 days so far and the reported battery volts has only declined from 4.155 to its present 4.082v

 

[ChilledGecko]

Once the fermentation began, the temperature increased by a couple of degrees, with a sharp fall once fermentation was completed and the SG flat-lined.

I've noticed that too. I assumed it was down to the weather and the fermenter has it's own insulated cover keeping up the temperature.
Hadn't considered the reaction could be exothermic.

Regarding the battery, mine has dropped from 4.2v to 4.16v after 3 days so I'm guessing it could be good for a few ferments.
I'd always recharge before a new batch but it's good to know there are some 'legs' there.

I'll probably check FG with a hydrometer later today and compare readings

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I've noticed that too. I assumed it was down to the weather and the fermenter has it's own insulated cover keeping up the temperature.
Hadn't considered the reaction could be exothermic.

I have a weather station and part of what it records is the indoor temperature. The indoor temperature remained steady throughout the fermentation. My FV wasn't insulated or on a heating panel, so it must be an exothermic reaction.

 

[ChilledGecko]

I have a weather station.

Damn, me too. Been running for a number of years now. Gave up with the web site but it tweets to those who are interested.

You will be telling me next you have a aircraft ADSB receiver system....
... or maybe that's just me over geeking

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

You will be telling me next you have a aircraft ADSB receiver system....
... or maybe that's just me over geeking

Well, to be perfectly honest, yes I do. It uses a TV receiver dongle and an home made antenna, made from coat hanger wire, mounted on a section of 20mm plastic conduit, with a sort of hook at the top end. I just reach it out of the bedroom window and hook it onto my gutter. I'm on the N / W Yorks border and my setup receives from just south of Notts, up to Glasgow, 50 miles out into the North Sea, to the middle of the Irish Sea - Dependent on aircraft height.

 

[ChilledGecko]

Well, to be perfectly honest, yes I do.

Unbelievable! We must have been separated at birth

I’ll raise a glass to your endeavours later Harry, you’re my sort of guy

 

[gingerneil]

I wrongly bought 10 xxl pets of anyone needs some! :)
I've got replacement xl on the way for the cherry 4 boards.