Announcing: BCS-482 Brewery Control System from Brewer’s Hardware

BCS-482 Brewery Control System

BCS-482 Brewery Control System via Brewer’s Hardware

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

ALL NEW! BCS-482 interactive temperature controller
– 8 temperature inputs
– 8 discrete inputs
– 16 discrete outputs
– Removable terminal blocks
– Heavy duty aluminum enclosure with mounting flanges
– Operates on 12VDC power supply (not included)
– I2C bus for additional accessories
– USB Support

Operates at 12VDC. Power is brought onboard via screw terminals to allow for a broader range of PSUs (Not Included). Our power supply unit now comes with the end pre-cut off exposing both wires. If you have your own power supply you will need to cut the end off and attach one wire to 12V IN and one wire to Ground (GND). Check out our third product image for a more detailed look.

What’s NEW!

– New Faster TI Tiva M4F Processor
– Higher current outputs (150mA 12VDC instead of 20mA 5VDC) to directly drive valves and accessories.
– Onboard LED Indicators for outputs
– Operates at 12VDC. Power is brought onboard via screw terminals to allow for a broader range of PSUs (Not Included)
– Internal daughterboard I/O expansion option (Q3/2018)
– I2C Jack for external 7-segment LED displays
– RS485 Port for future expansion boards
– USB Jack for simpler firmware updates
– Built-in alarm buzzer.

Details

Web-based User Interface

The BCS series’ user interface is all web based. Monitor and control temperatures and processes on your browser from any browser enabled device such as a computer, tablet or phone.

Temperature Sensor Inputs

The BCS-482 allows up to eight independent temperature sensors to be monitored simultaneously. Inputs can be any NTC thermistor based sensor with a 10Kohm ambient reading. Use our sensors, or purchase/build your own. Just set the temperature coefficients that are provided by the sensor manufacturer into the BCS-482, or calculate them based on experimental data.

Power

Operates at 12VDC. Power is brought onboard via screw terminals to allow for a broader range of PSUs (Not Included). Our power supply unit now comes with the end pre-cut off exposing both wires. If you have your own power supply you will need to cut the end off and attach one wire to 12V IN and one wire to Ground (GND). Check out our third product image for a more detailed look.

Inputs / Outputs

Along with the eight temperature sensor inputs, the BCS-482 provides eight 12VDC discrete inputs. All inputs can trigger controller responses. Sixteen 150mA 12VDC discrete outputs are provided for relay control or can directly drive many electric ball valves on the market. Eight of the outputs can be controlled by PWM, differentially by a temperature input, or under complete PID control. The remaining 10 outputs provide on/off control.

Expansion Options

The BCS-482 was designed with expansion in mind, supporting both internal and external expansion modules. The first expansion module slated for release in Q3 2018, is an internal in-case expansion board that will allow for an additional 8 inputs and 8 outputs. Additional modules on the drawing board include options for 1-wire support and 4-20mA support.

Advanced Data Logging

Data is logged internally in the device, and displayed on your browser, or saved as a text file. The BCS-482 supports internal logging of four signals up to 4k samples each. The user can set the frequency of the samples anywhere from 1 second to 6 hours, resulting in trace lengths anywhere from 1.1 hours to 2.8 years long.

Programmable Processes

A revolutionary State Machine interface allows the user to program with simple and intuitive rules, giving the controller the ability to exhibit extremely complex behavior. The BCS-482 allows up to eight independent processes, each with eight states. Check out the documentation for programming examples.

Open Interface API

The control system from ECC utilizes a simple HTTP GET/POST mechanism to control and monitor the unit. The protocol is completely open and documented, allowing users the ability to develop third-party interfaces. Does your application require a unique GUI, or if would like to have your own data logging/graphing application? Want to link multiple BCS systems together and have them all controlled from a unified interface? The possibilities are endless.


 

BCS-482 Brewery Control System

 

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One thought on “Announcing: BCS-482 Brewery Control System from Brewer’s Hardware

  1. Tom Hargrave

    This looks like a great start but you are still a long ways from a brewery controller. Someone still has to design or provide the final interface for just about everything. Heating elements will need SSRs or relays, sensors will need some sort of interface- connectors or jacks, pumps will need control relays. Plan for an addition $300 – $1000 cost plus many hours of design time before you have a complete brewery controller.

    Reply

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