iSpindel - digital WiFi hydrometer

[gingerneil]

Is there a pdf build guide for the v4 board, or just the YouTube video?

 

[tommos76]

The pdf guide is for the older version boards. I think the video is under an hour an well worth watching as there are a few things to look out for when building eg, when soldering the gyro pins they must be flush on the board otherwise the battery holder doesn't fit into place.

 

[gingerneil]

The pdf guide is for the older version boards. I think the video is under an hour an well worth watching as there are a few things to look out for when building eg, when soldering the gyro pins they must be flush on the board otherwise the battery holder doesn't fit into place.

All looks pretty straight forward. Only thing I'm not sure about is the bit just after 14:30. He solders in a bent over wire then cuts both sides - I can't see what this is for and why it's there... Doesn't seem to connect anything.

 

[tommos76]

That's the reset pin as the way the Wemos is installed on the circuit board you are unable to access the onboard one whilst it is in the pet container.

 

[pottsworth]

I saw something, possibly on the original git hub, about someone who had fitted a wireless charging receiver into the lid of the container, so you never have to open it again.

I’ll see if I can find the article.

 

[gingerneil]

I remember seeing that, but I'm fairly sure it resulted in too much heat so it was abandoned.

 

[LeeH]

Charging in a closed tube would be impossible I would have thought.

 

[gingerneil]

IMG_20190828_223922

• gingerneil
• Aug 28, 2019

IMG_20190828_223915

• gingerneil
• Aug 28, 2019

Good progress on my build today. Everything seems to be working with ubidots, I've got that feeding triggers into IFTTT to turn a warming pad on/off (powered by a smart plug) via webhooks based on high/low temp events. I needed to add a single 5g sugru pack to the base of the cylinder for ballast and to secure the pcb, and then pushed a spare button and screw into that to get 25deg float in water by trial and error (reading 25.2deg in 25C tap water - good enough for me!).
Just need to calibrate in a sugar solution, then try an actual brew!
Most people seem to focus on the gravity readings with ispendel... But I'm most looking forward to being able to monitor and control fermentation temperator through winter in my garage!
I'm planning on putting a guide together on this at some point, in case others are interested.

 

[Isolec82]

I have an ispindel i built 12 months ago. Sometimes it is difficult to arouse it from sleep. I have read that replacing the 470 ohm resistor with a BAT43 diode can alleviate this problem. I used the Mechatronics kit with a version 2.1 board but cannot see anything on the internet about the polarity of the diode. Any thoughts anyone!

 

[gingerneil]

Started by latest brew this weekend - a Mangrove Jack Craft Rye IPA. My garage is getting a little cold, so I'm trying to control the temp with the iSpindel.
I've got the iSpindel output talking to Ubidots and firing off webhooks to IFTTT and onwards to Smart Life to control a smart plug/brewing pad combo. I've got it firing events at 21.75C and 22.25C. A PID would pull this right down to maintain an exact temp, but a 0.5C swing and a little overshoot is fine for me!
The Gravity measure is a little high compared to my readings, but I'm mainly looking at a trend here anyway.

 

[LeeH]

I cannot believe nobody is selling these pre built yet.

 

[pottsworth]

Started by latest brew this weekend - a Mangrove Jack Craft Rye IPA. My garage is getting a little cold, so I'm trying to control the temp with the iSpindel.

What time interval are you using?

Mine currently only lasts ~10 days per charge with a 15 minute interval. I always figured you’d need much smaller intervals to avoid overshooting the temperature.

 

[gingerneil]

I'm doing 5 mins... I think the battery measure metric is broken though - it's never changed! It's a 3300mah battery - so hoping it will last well. No issues so far, and it's been tested for a week before in just water

 

[pottsworth]

I'm doing 5 mins... I think the battery measure metric is broken though - it's never changed! It's a 3300mah battery - so hoping it will last well. No issues so far, and it's been tested for a week before in just water

cool, hope it keeps working.

Mine has always reported voltage.
4.2v is fully charged. Anything less then about 3.5 and it’s nearly done.

 

[tommos76]

Sorry guys been a lot going on my end with a family bereavement so put ispindel stuff on hold. For everyone who I promised some kits to I will happily post out what I have to each and every one of you for £4 each to cover the cost of postage and packaging but I'm afraid at this moment in time I'm not in the frame of mind to build and configure any. I apologise and hope you all understand.

 

[eyuptm]

Sorry to hear this, the ispindel isn't important, get your family together and hold tight. Thinking of you.

Sorry guys been a lot going on my end with a family bereavement so put ispindel stuff on hold. For everyone who I promised some kits to I will happily post out what I have to each and every one of you for £4 each to cover the cost of postage and packaging but I'm afraid at this moment in time I'm not in the frame of mind to build and configure any. I apologise and hope you all understand.

 

[eyuptm]

IMG_20190828_223922

• gingerneil
• Aug 28, 2019

IMG_20190828_223915

• gingerneil
• Aug 28, 2019

Good progress on my build today. Everything seems to be working with ubidots, I've got that feeding triggers into IFTTT to turn a warming pad on/off (powered by a smart plug) via webhooks based on high/low temp events. I needed to add a single 5g sugru pack to the base of the cylinder for ballast and to secure the pcb, and then pushed a spare button and screw into that to get 25deg float in water by trial and error (reading 25.2deg in 25C tap water - good enough for me!).
Just need to calibrate in a sugar solution, then try an actual brew!
Most people seem to focus on the gravity readings with ispendel... But I'm most looking forward to being able to monitor and control fermentation temperator through winter in my garage!
I'm planning on putting a guide together on this at some point, in case others are interested.

I for one would be very interested in a guide not, necessarily of the physical build, but the setup with WiFi etc. Too many unknown acronyms for my feeble grasp of networks etc for my analogue brain...!!!

 

[gingerneil]

All the best @tommos76

 

[pottsworth]

I for one would be very interested in a guide not, necessarily of the physical build, but the setup with WiFi etc. Too many unknown acronyms for my feeble grasp of networks etc for my analogue brain...!!!

I'll try and put something together

 

[Adean]

Not a problem at all - family always comes first @tommos76
@pottsworth I'd be curious to know how many steps are needed to configure and get it running if you get the chance :-)