Coming around to automation

[SusanJoM]

Oh thank you.  I love this line of inquiry....someday with all your help I may even understand it....

Here's another thread that I haven't yet fully ingested, but that should be of interest to anyone else following me down the rabbit hole. http://www.home-barista.com/home-roasting/exploring-north-gas-roaster-automation-part-1-t47272.html

I should clarify that I'm not (yet....) interested in following a background curve, or controlling a PID.  I just would like to be able to adjust kPa (most important) and maybe air (least important because I seldom change it at all) from Artisan....

[beananimal]

I just found this instruction:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-a-Controllable-Coffee-Roaster-from-an-Air-Po/

Not for the Huky, or gas, but it helps me a lot to understand many similar steps.

[monkey_lever]

Beananimal. Thats the instructable that I used to understand how to connect the TC4 to the SSR + fan. Really helpful.

Susan. If you just want to adjust the gas from artisan the cheapest  and easiest option is the stepping motor. You can use the same arduino to control the fan but you need DC fan if you want to control it with the arduino.

[SusanJoM]

Susan. If you just want to adjust the gas from artisan the cheapest  and easiest option is the stepping motor. You can use the same arduino to control the fan but you need DC fan if you want to control it with the arduino.

Okay, so you have/use a button set-up like the attached, and each one calls a program ??
(The buttons now give me both the kPa and the % of my maximum of 3.75 KpA)

[beananimal]

Ah...hmmm....Well, I thought I made great strides by figuring out I wanted a TC4C and not a TC4, but I will go back and look more carefully.

Hello Susan,
sorry about confusing you with "are you sure that" , but in the last two years I read so much, partly controversy about TC4C and AC and understood only  30%.

After reading again and again, especially the Popcorn Popper thing, I am optimistic that it is the right piece. (as I have it as well).
It only seems that I should have ordered the ZCD from MLG as well and will probably do it soon to be on the safe side. (Soldering is not my strenght).
Peter

[SusanJoM]

 

Since  MLG is on vacation until August 1, we both have plenty of time to figure out what we need.  So....what is the ZCD    Okay, okay, okay, I'll go to Jim's site and see if I can figure it out ...

Nevermind....I found it in Monkey-Lever's earlier post:  Zero Cross Detector.  Of course I still don't know what that is, but that gives me a start.

Am I going to have to learn how to use Python?  whatever THAT is??? 

[beananimal]

 
Fully agree.
I am on vacation now and have with me my first book about Arduino programming and installation.
ZCD: it seems to be impossible to buy a similar complete version elsewhere that fits the TC4C

[Chert]

If you are connecting to an SSR, just buy one that has zero cross detection function.  I found mine at Platt electrical supply company for less than $50.

[SusanJoM]

Okay, I think I'm gonna go the stepping motor route.  That proportional gas valve just looks like overkill for my HUKY.

So far I seem to need
TC4C
SSR with ZCR
stepping motor

and a whole lot of savvy that they don't seem to sell it on Amazon....

[Chert]

If I were to do this, I would go through the post linked above and make a list of the items needed and their function, basically a road map of how to get there from here.

And I would probably check with Brian if some additional Phidgetry could help you realize your stepper motor goal since you already have Phidget components.

A WTB post might snag you a TC4C before august.

[SusanJoM]

Brilliant, thanks.
I'm on it....

One question:  when threads like that one say "Arduino", can I just read "TC4C"   That has been tripping me up a bit..

[SusanJoM]

Maybe this from Phidgets?
http://www.phidgets.com/products.php?category=13&product_id=1062_1

controlling this from Phidgets?
http://www.phidgets.com/products.php?product_id=3314

[Chert]

Brilliant, thanks.
I'm on it....

One question:  when threads like that one say "Arduino", can I just read "TC4C"   That has been tripping me up a bit..

Arduino is a family of microcontrollers.  Uno, Mega, nano, various versions.  TC4 is the piece JimG and others developed to interface via the Arduino Uno (One has to mount the TC4 board, onto the Arduino Uno) so that temperature readings can be taken and PWM signals transmitted.  TC4C is a standalone board that has Arduino chipset and pin connections along with the TC4 parts on one board.  I hope that clarifies.

[SusanJoM]

I think so.  Thanks.

[beananimal]

If you are connecting to an SSR, just buy one that has zero cross detection function.  I found mine at Platt electrical supply company for less than $50.

This sounds plausible for me. But in the TC4C wireing diagram there are:
A SSR 2425 with ZCD for electrical heating
A SSR 2425_10 without ZCD for AC-fan
and this separate ZCD additionally.
I don't know the difference if you skip it.