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Anything in Processing should tie nicely in with Arduino, it's quite easy to send data in a serial packet stream from Arduino to Processing for graphing or whatever.
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Yep, osPID is Arduino compatible (you use the arduino software to upload sketches (the firmware). I gather the issue was the data type Brett used for the transfer between the osPID and the front end software makes it more difficult to interface with other software. But like I said, it's a bit outside my current skillset.
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Hi fg.
Your comment about Fotek SSRs in my thread about the roast-pi:
I had to replace mine 'cos I fried it, as you know, but the interesting thing is that the replacement which arrived today did the 'pulsing" thing you talked about. I discovered that it was the input voltage from the Pi. I was using the nominal 5VDC coming from a USB plugpack. It was about 4.6 when it got to the Pi, but everything worked. Until I changed the SSR. Then I discovered because the outputs from the Pi are current sinking, the actual voltage at the SSR was only about 3.9. I needed to get a minimum of 5VDC at the SSR to switch the new one. Maybe this is your problem?? I can't see what's powering your SSR(s).
My multimeter "said" there was 240V coming out of the SSR, but there was bugger-all current available.
I solved my problem by getting an old Palm plugpack (5.2VDC nominal) and using that to supply the SSR, then using the same supply for the Pi but dropping the voltage with a large diode (-0.7v).
Hope this helps
GonzoComment
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From my experience with using the Pi as a media centre, strange things happen if the supply is less than 4.65V. The Raspbmc forum is filled with responses to help that read something like "have you checked your power supply?".
The other thing to consider is that there seem to be a lot of knockoff Fotek SSRs around. They seem to be ~$40 retail, yet go for a tenth of that on evilbay. I have bought from two different sellers and got noticeably different products. Both lots have worked fine, but maybe I've just been lucky.Comment
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Hi Gonzo, MrJack,
The SSR is powered from an 5V output on the TC4 board which last time I checked was just under 5 volts (something like 4.8 from memory) and the TC4 gets its power from the Arduino board which is powered via the computer USB lead.
You are probably right that this slight voltage drop may cause the Fotek to play up, as soon as I replaced the Fotek with a totally different type it just worked.Comment
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I've run the (cheap, chinese) foteks down below 4V. Don't remember any reliability problems.Comment
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They are meant to operate down to 3V, I dont remember having any problems with just under 5V eitherComment
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Yeah, it surprised me too, considering the label says 3V. I initially thought I'd blown something on the Pi I/O board, but half a volt improvement made the difference.
GonzoComment
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I've completed the hardware building of this roaster and thought I'd share some pics of the final product.
All the paint has been removed from inside and outside the cover which is mild steel and taken to the surface with a angle grinder loaded with a sanding disk for a rustic finish.
Made an aluminium plate to cover the area that used to be occupied by the stock control board and display.
Was looking for some sort of steel or alloy funnel to load beans after preheat without removing cover and saw this nice stainless steel drink bottle at the supermarket which I deassetated (removed the base) creating a load beans funnel which is then removed once the beans are loaded.
The bottom thermocouple is amongst the bean mass, the top one is for sensing environment temperature which works very well with the lid.
The handle is used tilt the hot corretto to the side to unload beans
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Looks very nice!Comment
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Great work "fg"...
Mal.Comment
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Cheers Hildy, Mal.
The plate also creates a nice spot to put the mini fan that blows chaff and helps keep the gun cool
I've done another few roasts with RoastLogger using it's PID functionality which is working very well with excellent repeatability.
I loaded the 1st PID roast profile from last week and watched a roast tonight follow the profile quite accurately, pretty happy with that as the ambient temp tonight is a bit hotter than last week.
Will stick with RoastLogger for the moment and just focus on producing excellent roasts and probably look at/experiment with other software down the track.Comment
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Nice work FG
Looking good
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That's a really cute fan. Gotta get one.
GonzoComment
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The breadmaker external case was a bit rough with some dents and areas of flaking paint so I've made it look like less of an appliance and a bit more unique with a hand made rustic look.
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