iSpindel - digital WiFi hydrometer

[SteveH]

I've got 15 PCB going if anyone is interested, I'm not after making a profit just want to cover my costs.

I'll take a couple if you have them spare - already built an earlier version but would be good to try the later PCB, particularly if it fits in a smaller container.

What petling tube are you using? IIRC those were hard to find in the UK for the last one I made.

 

[Matt_W]

How much are you looking for them and are these pre build or do they require building? I could be convince my wife of an early Xmas present.

Aaron, I've only got the PCB 4.0 boards, the other bits will need to be purchased from eBay. The board I'll post for probably a fiver, that'll cover the board and a 1st class stamp.

 

[Matt_W]

I'll take a couple if you have them spare - already built an earlier version but would be good to try the later PCB, particularly if it fits in a smaller container.

What petling tube are you using? IIRC those were hard to find in the UK for the last one I made.

Shure, drop me a PM. I actually bought one of these original https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HomeBrew...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

the PCB is slightly smaller so it does move around, I might have to find something just to pad it out.

the tubes do seem really hard to come by, I've ordered some from eBay to see what they're like but I think it might take a couple of attempts to find one that fits snug.

likewise I'm going to build a couple based on the newer spec bits, waiting for the bits to turn up from China.

 

[Adean]

Hi folks,

I've just managed to build one of these without too much issue or skill. I got a D in electronics GCSE 20 years ago and this was probably only the second time I've used a soldering iron since.

The only real issue I had was that after I flashed the device appeared to be in a reset loop. This turned out to be a poor joint on one of the resistors. Tidied that up and boom, iSpindel config page.

I did a small order of the v4.0 boards from PCBway and took about 2 weeks to come. Their "build" apparently took just over a day but then it didn't get despatched for over a week then DHL only took a couple of days.

I've got 15 PCB going if anyone is interested, I'm not after making a profit just want to cover my costs.

Hi Matt,
I'd be interested in a one or two - please let me know how much you would like for one inc postage
Many thanks
Alastair

 

[patwestlake]

Looking for 3 Matt. Can settle by PayPal or bank transfer as you prefer.

Pat

Aaron, I've only got the PCB 4.0 boards, the other bits will need to be purchased from eBay. The board I'll post for probably a fiver, that'll cover the board and a 1st class stamp.

 

[Gonçalo]

Hi guys,

For PCB v4 you can use the tubes suggested by the creator of the board (CherryPhillip): http://www.geoshop.lt/index.php?route=product/product&path=20_26&product_id=285
I did a couple of iSpindel and this tube works great with that version (you actually need to trim down a bit the bottom of the board- also suggested by the creator).

Cheers,
Gonçalo

 

[eyuptm]

Can anyone point me towards a Wemos supplier, preferably the V3, as I need to order one for my non-working Spindle... TIA.

 

[Gonçalo]

Can anyone point me towards a Wemos supplier, preferably the V3, as I need to order one for my non-working Spindle... TIA.

I got a v3.1 (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32529101036.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.27424c4dDsIhjq) that works well and a v3.0 (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000015119206.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.27424c4dDsIhjq) that is waiting for the battery holder to be configured (meanwhile I've been using it as wifi repeater).

 

[patwestlake]

Will any BAT43 diode do or is the threshold current (15 or 200mA) important?

Pat

 

[pottsworth]

Can anyone point me towards a Wemos supplier, preferably the V3, as I need to order one for my non-working Spindle... TIA.

I bought mine from AliExpress.

 

[eyuptm]

Thanks all, got one locally that seems to work. My issue, as far as I can tell, is that one of my original Wemos boards was pre- flashed, whereas I had to flash the firmware to the other one.

Here is the brunt of my post. Being a total analogue brained computer luddite, with Mac only experience, I was dreading this process, but in reality, once I remembered that I had an old Win laptop, I managed to get all 3 boards up and running the latest firmware revision. It did take about 4 hours of trial and (mostly user...!!) error, but the satisfaction having achieved it was immense.

I won't go into all the steps I took, as most of them were unsuccessful, but the point is, that if I can do it, ANYONE can, there are plenty of resources online to guide you. (Admittedly some more useful for idiots like me than others) but a couple of hours with a PC and a tablet or phone to look up online guides, and you too can do it!!

Now to activate my Ubidots account and get my codes to register the devices, and away we go!!

Have a go!!!

 

[patwestlake]

Two really good videos for the ispindel




Pat

 

[private4587]

At the moment i have a brew fridge were the heater and cool cycles are controlled via a STC 1000 with the sensor attached to the fermenter. I am in the process of building an ispindel and i am wanting to be able to plot the temp and SG of the brew along with the STC sensor now monitoring the fridge ambient temp on the same graph, but and this is a big but i have no idea of how and which software to use. Can anyone offer some assistance please

 

[Ashman]

I’m very tempted to try a build one of these. After getting a smart watch and playing about with powerBI static data I think with some work I could get the hydrometer reading on the dashboard.

 

[patwestlake]

Looking to do the same thing (replace STC 1000 with something more connectable). It will likely be another esp8266 board like nodeMCU or a Raspberry PI. The former will just run native arduino code to switch the two relays (heating and cooling) - the trick is to get it to use the iSpindel temperature reading. I'll let you know how I get on.

Pat

 

[eyuptm]

Two really good videos for the ispindel




Pat

THAT would've saved me a ton of time,thanks for posting!!

 

[Litmus]

Looking to do the same thing (replace STC 1000 with something more connectable). It will likely be another esp8266 board like nodeMCU or a Raspberry PI. The former will just run native arduino code to switch the two relays (heating and cooling) - the trick is to get it to use the iSpindel temperature reading. I'll let you know how I get on.

Pat

It might be overkill but have you looked at Craftbeer Pi?

 

[Matt_W]

Ok so I purchased some of these

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-XL-BIG-PET-Micro-Geocaching-container-geocache-Petling-preform-soda-bottle/132379354446

and they’re a bit of a tight fit. Battery holder made it impossible to get it but you might get away with trimming down the side of the PCB. I just removed the battery holder and it just fits. I don’t think tape will hold the better terminals in place so will need a solution to this.

 

[eyuptm]

Ok so I purchased some of these

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-XL-BIG-PET-Micro-Geocaching-container-geocache-Petling-preform-soda-bottle/132379354446

and they’re a bit of a tight fit. Battery holder made it impossible to get it but you might get away with trimming down the side of the PCB. I just removed the battery holder and it just fits. I don’t think tape will hold the better terminals in place so will need a solution to this.

View attachment 21768

View attachment 21769

I think they are correct tubes, but it looks as if the pins through the board from the gyro board are holding the battery holder away from the board- try snipping the pins off flush, and have another go. I had to just remove a tiny bit of board width with a nail file, to make it a good snug sliding fit...

 

[patwestlake]

These are the ones I bought. Fit the v4.0 boards easily. Fast delivery from Lithuania and will combine postage if you want more than 1.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/XXLBIG-P...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

Pat