The Brewno PC program is a light weight windows executable that is used to interface with the Brewno Controller. The PC program is not required for the Brewno Controller to operate, but it is required to perform data logging and to change controller settings. Controller settings are saved in the Brewno Controller’s local memory and are recalled automatically on power up.
Operating System: Windows 7 or Higher (may work with Windows XP but not tested)
Peripherals: USB connection required for uploading Arduino Program for initial setup and any future updates; either Bluetooth or USB connection required for normal usage (ie. data logging and to change controller parameters)
Additional Software: Excel or OpenOffice strongly recommended to manipulate and view *.csv data logging files after they are complete
- In order to use this program you will first need the Brewno Controller shield, Arduino Uno, and LCD installed and the Brewno logic loaded onto the Arduino board.
- Go to the Download section and get the Brewno PC Program. Unzip the *.exe file and save it anywhere on your computer.
- Before you open the program, connect your Brewno to the computer (via Bluetooth or USB cable). If you don’t, the PC program will not pickup the COM port that the Brewno is connected to. Worst case, just close the PC program, connect to the Brewno Controller, and reopen. Note: I do not have this program certified currently, so you will get some warnings upon opening and your antivirus may take a minute scanning this file upon opening. I use Avast and it takes 30-45 seconds upon opening before it allows me to use it the first time.
- A blank center screen and COM port options will greet you upon opening the Brewno PC Program.
- The first step to connect to the Brewno Controller is to select the COM port that it is connected to and click Open Serial Port.
- Once the program is connect to a COM port, you can activate readings. Activate one or more of the controllers and confirm that temperature readings show up on the bottom display. If there are no readings, you likely have the wrong COM port. Close the COM port and select a new COM port to open and check again for temperature readings. If you have temperature readings but they look wrong (ie. Showing 290F), confirm an RTD is connected.
- Once you have the steps above completed, you can start data logging! But don’t….at least not yet. Before attempting to brew anything, you’ll want to setup each controller loop. For details on the controller settings, see the control section.
- Once you have all the control loops configured, click the “Start Logging” button to start recording. A prompt will appear to select a file save location, and logging will commence immediately after. As mentioned above, you can activate or deactivate each controller’s reading. This allows you to select what readings you are recording (ie. if you disconnect an RTD to clean a vessel, you probably don’t need to log the non-sense values that come back from the disconnected RTD). Note that while data logging, the program saves results continuously so if you happen terminate the program prematurely (eg. close it by accident, laptop runs out of power, etc), don’t fear. Your results are saved. Just start up the program again and continue data logging to a NEW file. You can always combine the two files later to have one continuous file (minus the time it took you to start data logging again).