SmartPID - smart temperature controller

[Haydnexport]

definitely want one, i have a herms rig that needs controlling !

[arzaman]

Since I got few questions I would like to provide you an update of the project after the strategy review post indiegogo campaign.

I can confirm you that finally I have distributed 12 SmartPID to selected beta tester, it's an important milestone since after one year of work smartpid leave my laboratory and someone start really playing with it and provide real feedback.

I'm collecting the first feedback on all possible areas..from buy experience to fulfillment..from general look and feel to user experience ..from smartphone app to core features.

The overall feedback generally speaking is positive and I got really lot of valuable inputs either on fixing some problems (mainly in the smartphone app) or review and enhance some parts.

Here some unboxing and first integrations ..Lot of discussion and interaction (an lot of work) !



In parallel the development proceeds on many different streams

I have released first version of the installation and configuration manual that provides all details to connect and configure smartPID (wifi config, thingspeak config, Arduino IDE config and sketch compilation , FW upgrade and so on). You can download form the github page

A new SW release is now available either for the homebrewing app and smart thermostat adding two main content: Fahrenheit support and probe calibration support
In the short term roadmap some important enhancements are already palnned: delayed start for fridge (smart thermostat) and PID autotuning beta, should be interesting experiment autotuning algorithm in your setup

As promised I have made smartPID open source and I have also completed the github area with all source code,libraries, schema, driver etc.. so anyone that will enjoy programming and hacking smartPID can do ! Please remember that all material is subject to GNU V3 open source license

https://github.com/arzaman/smartPID

I have prepared also the website for adding a wiki section and a forum section. Hopefully I will release in live in the week end. This will allow better project documentation and interaction with all end user

The very good news is that end next week I should receive the front panel that is the last missing part so I'm potentially ready to provide to you the long waited smartpid (more or less in line with indiegogo campaing schedule)

My plan is to collect other feedback from beta tester up to end of February , fix major issue and than distribute the remaining 50 boards (with precedence to backers) and increase the community.. so stay tuned !



Davide

[Fil]

Good to hear and see your forging ahead Davide.

[LulaNord]

Hi...in my case what I'd like is a smarter control system where if the glycol is warmer than a particular fermenter, it doesn't go to that fermenter, but it would still go to fermenters where it's cooler than them.What is the easiest/cheapest way to accomplish this? I'm hoping for a single, simple control which would have inputs for each fermenter's current temperature, as well as the glycol tank's temperature, and would hold a setpoint for each fermenter and control the glycol supply to each fermenter accordingly.

[arzaman]

.... I'm hoping for a single, simple control which would have inputs for each fermenter's current temperature, as well as the glycol tank's temperature, and would hold a setpoint for each fermenter and control the glycol supply to each fermenter accordingly.

Not sure to have understood 100% your requirements but I try to argument a little bit
Off course there is a relationship between glycol temperature in the recirculation circuit and beer temperature in the fermenter, in the long run and stable situation beer will have same temperature than glycol.
So it depends if you want to control your glycol temperature or your beer temperature or both…or even keep glycol temperature constant (very low typically) and control the recirculating flow through valve/pump
So multiple strategy and setup ar possible, if I’m right you would have two independent controller
1) Control glycol temperature, let’s say try to keep constant temperature glycol reservoir tank
2) Control beer temperature trough flow control of the glycol inside the refrigeration circuit, let’s say open a valve or activate the pump

With smartPID yes this set up is definitely possible thanks to the dual channel capability !
CH1 control measure the temperature of the glycol reservoir and activate the fridge compressor for example trough relay 1
CH2 control beer temperature and activate a 12v ball valve via direct connection to DC1
You have two different set point for example CH1 SP=3c and for the CH2 SP=20c, two process, two data log and you can monitor both the glycol circuit and beer fermentation via the smartphone app
Is this your use case ? is smartPID smart enough ??

[arzaman]

Quick update on the project with special focus on new feature and enhancements of application SW
Delay Fridge start and PID auto tuning has been released and I have also added the configuration support for different beta coefficient for NTC sensors plus other minor changes coming from the beta tester



I have also tested extensively the auto tune with my test equipment and even if I’m not a fan of the auto tuning process it can help you to find an initial set up that maybe you can adjust by experience



Now working to the final version of the smart thermostat app adding the ramp/soak management for the fermentation chamber
I have also released the first official version of the android smartphone app on google play store, off course to use it you need the SmartPID controller (and the thingspeak account)

https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... m.smartpid

The beta testing phase has been completed and lot of feedback received, I have now extended the community with a limited offer to former Indiegogo backer but I’m ready to open the store to all of you with a limited stock of controller

It’s a matter of days, stay tuned !
Davide
Arzaman engineering

[Fil]

I found the ' on its way soon' email in my inbox this evening, and im awaiting delivery with eager anticipation.. I will probably be employing this with my grainfather initially..

Cheers Davide

[Haydnexport]

wow ? how come people are getting these already (saw a mention in another thread today too) ? im pretty sure i was one of the first backers on the kickstarter

[Haydnexport]

*edit

ive even stated 2 x after the funding failed that i wanted one , how come ive been overlooked / ignored?

[Fil]

check your spam folder @Haydenexport, the email offering you a smartpid may have got lost in there, failing that pm Davide in here.

the email i received should have been sent to all the crowdfunding contributors.

SmartPID available now!
Dear SmartPID former backer

The wait for your SmarPID controller has ended ! I’m happy to announce you that SmartPID is now ready available in a limited stock just for the former Indiegogo backers

As announced after the campaign closure I proceed anyway to produce a small batch of smartPID and now I’m ready to deliver to you, as early and precious supporters, first units

In this two months I have completed the assembling and I have run a deep testing phase with 12 beta testers that have tested and used smartPID in multiple conditions. It has been a very useful experience with lot of feedback and proactive works to fix some bugs, enhance the product (some new feature have been released) and review all details.

Now my goal is to extend the community and I hope you are still interested in the product and in project support.

I have set a private storefront where you can buy your smartPID via a tested and secure paypal checkout procedure, please ready term and conditios. I try to keep the same price as Early Bird offer even if with such a small production volume I have no margin even considering only production costs





From operative point of view I can’t limit the access to the store to the former backers but my idea is not to advertise it and I will keep the store private one week before official opening.

I will collect all the orders until Friday the 10th and then ship all together starting from the next week. You will be notified in all phases about the order status

Few more notes
After payment you will be able to download the installation and config manual and I’m going to release next week also the user manual.

You can also download the APK file for the android smartphone APP, the installation Google Play marketplace will be available soon but still some tests are need.

I’m also working to the web site forum and wiki in order to have one place to provide technical information , get feedback and build a community. Off course also the facebook page is a good interactive way to share feedback and experience. For any individual support request you can contact me through this email address.

As you can see there is still something to tune and complete but I’m confident in your support and cooperation, any feedback on all aspect is for me important and I’m fully committed to solve any problem that can come out

This is the last dedicated “former backers” newsletter, I will merge your address in the official mailing list so you receive standard update (you can unsubscribe any time)

Thank you again for your support during crowdfunding campaign and hope you continue to support the project


Davide
arzaman – smart engineering

have pm'd you a 'backers link'

[chris246810]

wow ? how come people are getting these already (saw a mention in another thread today too) ? im pretty sure i was one of the first backers on the kickstarter

Note my mention of smartpid in another thread is due to me being one the beta testers. If you backed the campaign and ordered one you should be getting it soon. For me delivery took a couple days to arrive from Italy

[chris246810]

It's a great little bit of kit. It has replaced my sestos pid based control panel and I'm very happy with how well it has performed on the two brews I've done with it so far.

[Haydnexport]

Nothing in my inbox / spam , I used my 'private' email that only gets used for important stuff and I get alerts from all new mail.

[TheFlatulentCow]

Which pledge did you go for? From my understanding it's only the super early bird pre-production models that are being sent out.

Cheers.

[Haydnexport]

i think i was the 5th or 6th backer and i went for the best/super deal