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TC4 with RoastLogger
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| JimG |
Posted on 03/14/2012 06:35
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Moderator
Posts: 689
Joined: 10/23/2008 11:37
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TooMuchCoffee.com member GreenBean (Tom) has added some new features to his popular multi-platform roast logging program:
1. Compatibility with TC4 systems
2. Slider bar for manual control of heater and fan
Tom and I worked on a new version of his RoastLoggerTC4 sketch that supports these features. It runs on either TC4 shield + arduino or TC4C standalone hardware.
Heater control is provided by the TC4's OT1, using 1 Hz PWM to drive an external solid state relay (SSR).
Fan control is set up on IO3 (490 Hz PMW). As presently configured, it would be suitable to control a DC fan through an external power MOSFET or Darlington driver. Other configurations are possible with a little tweaking of the code.
RoastLoggerTC4 also incorporates the ability to use different types of thermocouples on TC1 and TC2. By default, it is set up for type K on both.
Download RoastLogger for your PC/Linux/Mac and RoastLoggerTC4 for your TC4 system here:
http://homepage.n...nload.html
Jim
Edited by JimG on 03/14/2012 06:38
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| bvwelch |
Posted on 03/14/2012 12:41
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1 1/2 Pounder
Posts: 1109
Joined: 12/27/2007 18:13
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Very nice to see additional PC/Mac software supporting the TC4! |
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| JimG |
Posted on 04/26/2012 06:29
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Moderator
Posts: 689
Joined: 10/23/2008 11:37
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There is a new release of RoastLoggerTC4 available on the TC4 project googlecode site:
http://code.googl...C4_0.7.zip
This release provides the ability to jumper-select Fahrenheit operation. The default is Celsius, but Fahrenheit may now be selected by placing a jumper across two pins of the ANLG2 port on the TC4. See the README file in the release for details.
Jim |
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| JackH |
Posted on 05/20/2012 14:39
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1/2 Pounder
Posts: 255
Joined: 05/10/2011 17:14
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Jim,
I set to Fahrenheit in the RoastLogger's option menu and it worked without a jumper. Powers up that way each time. I have one of your original TC-4 boards if that makes a difference.
I have used this for many roasts and like the functionality of the software and speed/stability of the TC readings. There is also a Roast and cupping database.
The original way of input was using a unique way - OCR input from a camera pointed at the roaster screen. There are now many input devices supported and the TC-4 input works very well.
--Jack |
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| JimG |
Posted on 05/21/2012 13:43
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Posts: 689
Joined: 10/23/2008 11:37
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JackH wrote:I set to Fahrenheit in the RoastLogger's option menu and it worked without a jumper. Powers up that way each time. I have one of your original TC-4 boards if that makes a difference.
Jack -
With the current versions of everything, that probably won't work. RoastLogger and RoastLoggerTC4 both use Celsius by default. RoastLogger doesn't have a command to tell the TC4 to switch to Fahrenheit on the fly.
So to avoid the need for F users to re-compile the RoastLoggerTC4 firmware, Tom and I decided to just use a jumper to let the TC4 know it should spit out F temperatures instead of C.
There is a new version of RoastLoggerTC4 in beta testing right now that has some nice features for folks who occasionally roast using just the TC4 in standalone mode but still want to control heater and fan. Stay tuned (or sneak over to the googlecode site to try out the unreleased code).
Jim |
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| JackH |
Posted on 05/22/2012 18:47
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1/2 Pounder
Posts: 255
Joined: 05/10/2011 17:14
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Jim,
I took a look at my TC-4 today and I totally forgot that I jumpered the Anlg2 port to ground because I was having instability and wanted to eliminate unused ports that were floating.
The instability was using metal sheathed Thermocouples and when I used unsheathed type it went away. I guess I installed a future feature on the correct port!
Sorry for the confusion. |
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| JimG |
Posted on 05/23/2012 04:58
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Moderator
Posts: 689
Joined: 10/23/2008 11:37
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JackH wrote:
I took a look at my TC-4 today and I totally forgot that I jumpered the Anlg2 port to ground because I was having instability and wanted to eliminate unused ports that were floating.
The instability was using metal sheathed Thermocouples and when I used unsheathed type it went away. I guess I installed a future feature on the correct port!
The metal sheathed thermocouples have resulted in some problems on several TC4 installations. Currently, I think the best solution if grounded thermocouples are used is to connect the frame of the roaster to the TC4 GND plane through a series resistor (values from 1K to 10K seem to work). Should have the same result if the sheathing on the thermocouple is connected to the GND plane through the resistor.
Jim |
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| JimG |
Posted on 07/10/2012 19:56
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Moderator
Posts: 689
Joined: 10/23/2008 11:37
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An updated version of RoastLoggerTC4 is available for download:
TC4 project googlecode site
Release 2.0 adds the capability to optionally use the TC4 in a standalone mode, i.e., not connected to a PC. In standalone mode, systems that are equipped with an LCDapter with 4-button keypad will be able to manually control heater and fan output levels using only the keypad keys.
Together with the upcoming release of a custom Hottop interface board, users will be able to fully control the fan and heater on any Hottop model while connected to RoastLogger, or while operating in the new standalone mode. No additional hardware beyond the TC4 device, LCDapter w/buttons, and new HTC interface board would be necessary.
Users who do not choose to connect an LCD display to their TC4 systems may use this release without modification as the software will behave just fine without an LCDapter attached.
Jim |
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| JackH |
Posted on 07/12/2012 16:07
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1/2 Pounder
Posts: 255
Joined: 05/10/2011 17:14
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Jim, thanks for adding TC4 LCD support for Roastlogger. The LCD readout is good to have as a backup or a standalone setup. The button reset feature is also a nice addition. |
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| smico |
Posted on 07/13/2012 13:07
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1/4 Pounder
Posts: 97
Joined: 12/17/2011 12:09
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Jim'
When do you think Hottop interface will start shipping?
I started working on the interface based on discussions in few threads here, but never had time to finish it.
Thanks
SMico |
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| JimG |
Posted on 07/14/2012 21:28
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Moderator
Posts: 689
Joined: 10/23/2008 11:37
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smico wrote:
When do you think Hottop interface will start shipping?
We are trying to resolve the last few issues with supporting the *&!^%$ P control panel. I am comfortable with its operation on B and D models.
What model Hottop do you have?
Jim |
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| smico |
Posted on 07/15/2012 05:42
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1/4 Pounder
Posts: 97
Joined: 12/17/2011 12:09
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I have B-2, so I am good to go?
Is there a thread or page with details. Do you have the price yet?
Thanks
smico |
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| JimG |
Posted on 07/15/2012 18:31
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Moderator
Posts: 689
Joined: 10/23/2008 11:37
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smico wrote:
I have B-2, so I am good to go?
Is there a thread or page with details. Do you have the price yet?
Thanks
smico
Not quite there yet. I sent you a PM.
Jim |
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| smico |
Posted on 07/20/2012 15:10
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1/4 Pounder
Posts: 97
Joined: 12/17/2011 12:09
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This looks great Jim. Looking forward for your message.
Thank you |
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| jedovaty |
Posted on 07/22/2012 18:11
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1/2 Pounder
Posts: 213
Joined: 10/31/2011 03:33
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I am very excited to see this!
I'm the guy who has the arduinoBT (the 168 version), so sketches are limited to about 12.5kb. I have previously been able to get Bourbon loaded by removing all the LCD stuff, and today just loaded the most recent one without problem. Since I don't have any LCDs attached, there's no problem cutting it out.
In trying to get the RoastLogger loaded, awww crud, it's too big. The code appears quite a bit more complex than Bourbon - I started trying to remove LCD items, but I'm getting lost as it seems all the functions sort of depend on each other (I'm not a coder, I can read a little though).
Based on how much larger the sketch binary is compared to Bourbon (22k vs about 14-16k), am I really SOL, unless I get a better setup for bluetooth?
For all intents and purposes, Bourbon works just fine.. but RL is kind of pretty!
Artisan will not run well on my laptop, since it is very old and not dual core (unless that's been addressed, no idea) - but I think I had it once loaded, however, had issues getting it to work with my setup.
Thank you! |
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| jedovaty |
Posted on 07/22/2012 19:35
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1/2 Pounder
Posts: 213
Joined: 10/31/2011 03:33
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Well, point may now be moot. I had to move my setup elsewhere, and I accidentally connected the arduinobt + tc4 shield to a 12V power source instead of the 5V one, and saw a little smoke then quickly unplugged everything. Waited a few minutes, powered up correctly -- I can connect to it via bluetooth, but all temps are reading 93F on aBourbon. I doubt the thermocouples were fried.. darnit :( I hope the tc4 shield is okay.. but likely not? |
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| JimG |
Posted on 07/22/2012 20:33
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Moderator
Posts: 689
Joined: 10/23/2008 11:37
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Hard to diagnose from here. Anything show any signs of losing its magic smoke?
Jim |
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| smico |
Posted on 07/25/2012 09:30
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1/4 Pounder
Posts: 97
Joined: 12/17/2011 12:09
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Jim,
Please do send whatever you intended to send to my address. I will be on vacation until August 11, but my daughter will be at home to pick it up.
Thanks,
Miroslav |
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| allenb |
Posted on 07/29/2012 07:58
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Super Admin
Fix It Man
Posts: 1473
Joined: 02/23/2010 19:51
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Jim,
Can TC4 with Roastlogger allow manual heater power control and also provide rate of rise readout at the same time?
Allen
1/2 lb and 1 lb drum, Siemens Sirocco fluidbed, presspot, chemex, cajun biggin brewer from the backwoods of Louisiana
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| JimG |
Posted on 07/29/2012 10:32
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Moderator
Posts: 689
Joined: 10/23/2008 11:37
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Hi, Allen -
Yes you can manually control the heater (and fan if desired) output and display (numeric values) RoR at the same time.
However, RoR is not displayed graphically. But the numeric values of both BT-RoR and ET-RoR are displayed on the RoastLogger screens.
In addition, when using the RoastLoggerTC4 firmware on a TC4 system that includes an LCDapterC you can perform heater control from the 4-button interface and view BT-RoR even if not connected to a computer running RoastLogger.
Jim |
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for you