Here's my fermentation monitor using only a NodeMCU chip and some sensors.
The data is sent to ThinkSpeak for easy monitoring:
https://thingspeak.com/channels/100937
I'm also using a free Android widget that shows the data on my phone:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ua.livi.thingspeakmonitor
The widget can also sound an alarm if the temperature gets too high or too low (which shouldn't happen, since it's inside a fridge).
Currently I have two temperature sensors connected to it, one inside the fermentation tun and one outside (inside the fridge where I have the fermentor). I also have two sound detectors so I can detect the bubbling sound from the air lock, but they are difficult to calibrate correctly. Therefore I get better data from the alcohol sensors which I have, one inside the fermentor and another attached to the air lock.
The extra red board you see in the picture is a multiplexer, so I can read multiple analog values with the nodeMCU.
About the performance:
- The alcohor sensors probably react slighty to other gases than alcohol, like CO2 or even water vapour, but they still give a clear indication when the fermentation has started.
- The fridge temperature sensor also indicates whether fermentation is ongoing, since the fermentation produces heat causing the compressor to start more often. This way I can also see when the fermentation slows down.
Parts:
- 1 pc NodeMCU
- 2 pcs "NTC Thermistor temperature sensor 10K 1% 3950"
- 2 pcs "MQ-3 Alcohol Ethanol Sensor"
- 2 pcs "KY-037 Sound Detection Module"
- 1 pc " 16 CH Analog Digital CD74HC4067 MUX Breakout Board"
The NodeMCU is powered by a standard micro-USB phone charger.
The fridge is controlled by a cheap thermostat (like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/281764668296 ), which is not connected to the NodeMCU. It has a temperature sensor which is taped to the outside of the fermetation tun, and it keeps the temperature of the wort constant within 0.25 C, which is amazing.
I'm also planning to add a digital hydrometer to this, it will work with the same principle as the brewometer:
http://tilthydrometer.com/products/brewometer
The data is sent to ThinkSpeak for easy monitoring:
https://thingspeak.com/channels/100937
I'm also using a free Android widget that shows the data on my phone:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ua.livi.thingspeakmonitor
The widget can also sound an alarm if the temperature gets too high or too low (which shouldn't happen, since it's inside a fridge).
Currently I have two temperature sensors connected to it, one inside the fermentation tun and one outside (inside the fridge where I have the fermentor). I also have two sound detectors so I can detect the bubbling sound from the air lock, but they are difficult to calibrate correctly. Therefore I get better data from the alcohol sensors which I have, one inside the fermentor and another attached to the air lock.
The extra red board you see in the picture is a multiplexer, so I can read multiple analog values with the nodeMCU.
About the performance:
- The alcohor sensors probably react slighty to other gases than alcohol, like CO2 or even water vapour, but they still give a clear indication when the fermentation has started.
- The fridge temperature sensor also indicates whether fermentation is ongoing, since the fermentation produces heat causing the compressor to start more often. This way I can also see when the fermentation slows down.
Parts:
- 1 pc NodeMCU
- 2 pcs "NTC Thermistor temperature sensor 10K 1% 3950"
- 2 pcs "MQ-3 Alcohol Ethanol Sensor"
- 2 pcs "KY-037 Sound Detection Module"
- 1 pc " 16 CH Analog Digital CD74HC4067 MUX Breakout Board"
The NodeMCU is powered by a standard micro-USB phone charger.
The fridge is controlled by a cheap thermostat (like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/281764668296 ), which is not connected to the NodeMCU. It has a temperature sensor which is taped to the outside of the fermetation tun, and it keeps the temperature of the wort constant within 0.25 C, which is amazing.
I'm also planning to add a digital hydrometer to this, it will work with the same principle as the brewometer:
http://tilthydrometer.com/products/brewometer