6 replies to this topic

[s3inks]

While amassing the parts and pieces for my long term RaspBreweryPi project, I was encouraged to repurpose an old Point Of Sale system as a case. This setup will provide many perks since it has a built-in monitor that is hardwired to the PSU. Since this was a POS meant for food service, the monitor is touchscreen and somewhat water and oil resistant. This will come in handy in the brewery. The PSU also means only 1 cord supplying power for everything instead of the pile of black spaghetti that is currently adorning my desk.

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Albeit fairly straightforward, this project does require a few adapters and some hacking/soldering. I ordered an active hdmi-vga adapter since the monitor only has vga input. Also, I ordered a solderable breadboard to create a new circuit board with power headers. I plan to reuse most of the headers from the original PCB.

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I plan to use some of the extra space in the case to create storage for things like jumper wires and extra leds. It also has a shelf that should allow me to attach a breadboard and leave projects pieced together while being protected by the case.

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As I start to put the case back together and get everything working, I'll post the results with some more pictures.

**Update 4/24/14

After unsuccessfully desoldering some headers from the old PCB, I have decided to just solder the power adapters and switch directly to the PSU. I'll be working on that tonight and will post results then. Below are a few shots of the power switch (salvaged from the receipt printer) and the shelf that will hold the bread board and cables.

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**UPDATE 4/26/14**

Although possibly borking my USB hub in the process, I have successfully gotten the Pi powered by the PSU and configured for VGA output. Now to clean up some wiring and put the case back together. Pics below.

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[soocold]

Loving the name

N⁴

[johnlgalt]

Great idea to use an older POS for this.  It ought to be interesting, to say the least....

[s3inks]

Update bump.

[Brutus06]

I am curious what are you going to use the pi for with your brewing? I have seen the BrewPi project that uses the Pi for fermentation temperature control. 

[s3inks]

I am curious what are you going to use the pi for with your brewing? I have seen the BrewPi project that uses the Pi for fermentation temperature control.

I've seen that project as well. In fact, I've gotten some inspiration there. My plan is to have an arduino running as PID controller on the hot liquor tank. This will ensure accurate strike and sparge water. Initally i wanted to go all gas, but that proved to be cost prohibitive for a side project so the system will be combi gas/electric with the capability to go all gas or all electric. I plan to incorporate a rims system which will recirculate the wort from the mash run through a coil in the hot liquor tank allowing the arduino to again maintain temperature control. The Pi will act as an interface and master control for the arduino, collecting and storing/serving data. I'm still in the planning phase of how to control the transfer pumps. Ideally the pi would actuate another arduino that would control flow rate.

[Brutus06]

It's awesome that another member is a follow brewer. I personally have got into the hobby about 9 months ago and really enjoy making meads.

 

I have been thinking creating something similar to the BrewPi project. I want to make a fermenter/clearing system. I would like to have fermenter part of the system maintain temp and also stir the must through out fermentation (meads tend to ferment better when they are stirred through out the fermentation process) then have the system move the must from the primary to the secondary and filtering out the lee's and yeast during the transfer. The clearing chamber would then keep the mead at a lower temp to help it to clear then once clearing is finished have it transfer through a final filter to a bottling station.

 

If you haven't figured it out one of the differences between meads and beer is that meads don't have a mash to be boiled. Just put the ingredients into the primary and let them ferment.