Automation

So I am kicking around ideas for the automation of the new brew system. There are several ways I can go with this, and I will be kicking around the pros and cons of each system.

The first system is the Brutus system. This is the simplest system but does not allow for some cool upgrades later on down the line. This system uses PID temperature controllers to monitor temperatures and to tell the gas valves when to open.

Here is a link to the original Brutus build http://alenuts.com/Alenuts/brutus.html

The second is a little more complicated but will do a whole lot more. The cool part about it is you can add on to the system later.

The brewtroller system is a computer board with a LCD output. The system will monitor temps and tell valves to open to raise temps. The cool part about it is it will also turn on and off pumps, and fill tanks using pressure sensors and valves. It also has a USB interface to output data to a pc.

The problem with this system is it comes as a couple computer boards that need to be put together. While this lets you configure it the way you want it, it will be more difficult to put together.

The third option is bcs-460. This is a USB device that will control temperature and a pump or 2.

This uses a web based app to control the system. Which will require a computer or laptop to be next to the system at all times (it does have an iPhone app though.)

The good part about this system is it is already put together and ready to go.