Test Drive a BCS-460

[ECC]

BCS-460 Temperature Controller demo is now online. Log onto the controller and get a feel for the User Interface and poke around. If you're not familiar with the BCS-460 temp controller, there are a few links below. Since the BCS-460 is a standalone networked device, it gives brewers the ability to remotely monitor their breweries.

Setup: The BCS-460 is connected to 4 temperature probes, all partially submerged in the same glass of water. They are right out of the box, not calibrated. Outputs are looped back, wired to the inputs. So when Out1 is asserted, the Din1 will also turn on. The password below is an "Observer" password, so you won't be able to program or turn anything on/off. Feel free to ask any questions.

Internet Explorer not supported, please use a browser that is w3 compliant and not bloated/slow, like Firefox, Chrome, or Safari.

http://ecc.webhop.org:8081/
Userid: admin
passwd: bcsdemo

The BCS-460 is fully programmable. A few processes have been programmed into the demo unit, brief descriptions below:

• Process0: Timer Demo - Simple process meant to demonstrate state transitions. It rotates through 3 outputs, asserting each for 20 seconds based on a timer.
• Process1: Mash Process - Temperature step mash process, typical brew day with delayed start, protein rest, saccharification rest, and mash out. Similar to Example System 1.
• Process2: Fly Sparge - Process to control a pump with float switch for a fly sparge. Similar to Example System 3
• Process3: Ferm Ramp - This process demonstrates Ramp Mode. Ramps the temperature setpoint from 60* to 80* in 30sec, holds, and then ramps down. Obviously not used for a real fermentation, but meant to show temperature ramping capabilities.

For more information, visit the main website, http://www.embeddedcontrolconcepts.com. There is a wiki that takes you through the BCS-460 page by page, as well as this forum.

[shimoda92]

This demo setup is a great idea. It allows to get more familiar with the product before to buy. Therefore, I have played with that demo twice already, try to edit names, processes, start processes... but NOTHING I tried, worked!

Is this product so difficult to operate or build only for GURU?

[ECC]

The password below is an "Observer" password, so you won't be able to program or turn anything on/off. Feel free to ask any questions.

Yeah, that's by design. There are two levels of password control.
*User - Able to run/stop processes, turn on/off outputs, edit names, and change programming (full access)
*Observer - Only able to watch, not to interfere.

The password listed above is only for Observer level access. If you want the User (guru) password, send me a PM and I'll let you change the settings at will.

[brew_nick_brew]

This demo setup is a great idea. It allows to get more familiar with the product before to buy. Therefore, I have played with that demo twice already, try to edit names, processes, start processes... but NOTHING I tried, worked!

Is this product so difficult to operate or build only for GURU?

I totally agree. Not sure why there is even an "Observer Mode".
If you want people to get familiar with the product, then make it fully functional. I have already emailed about this which left me even more confused. Simply make it "User Mode". If there is a reason this is only Observer Mode, that's fine, but I have not found a reason listed as to why.
I've tried to change the password, log out of Chrome, etc, etc, etc....and it still never worked.

I really want to learn this system as I am at a critical point in my home brew set up.....do I go with the much more simpler Love Controllers, or do I go with this system that can expand my possibilities.

[ECC]

If you want the password for the demo unit, all you have to ask me for it.

The reason for this is that I need to know who is on it, because I don't want any random person changing the password (which you can do in User mode), and thereby locking out everyone else who just wants to snoop around.

[gbrewer]

ECC has been very responsive to any of my requests and I am sure he (they) would make themselves available to you if you wanted to have complete access to the demo system. I can see his point about not wanting people into the system as administrator making changes to the system password so others can't access the demo.

Perhaps ECC could develop a demo which simply resets itself with default settings (and password) every hour or so for those who want to make system changes and see how easy it really is.

In my opinion you will be much happier using the BCS 460 over Love controls. I can say this first hand since I have used both. The love control is very basic (yet functional). If you want basic, a love control will work. If you enjoy the gadgets as much as I do, the BCS is the way to go. It really is a fun system to use and adds controls to your brewing.

Support for the BCS has been great. If ECC doesn't respond promptly, someone else usually responds in the forums.

Good luck.

[jmurm]

for some reason i cannot try out the demo?? My browser is chrome, i will try it later on my mac with safari

[ECC]

Thanks for pointing that out. Somebody changed the http port to :10, which made it so no one could log on. Its fixed now, please try again.

[burnell]

I'm trying to Test Drive a BCS-460. When I click the link, I get the following message:
"Safari can't open page 'http://ecc.webhop.org:8081/' because the server where this page is located is not responding."

I'd like to demo the BCS-460 - preferably at the user level. Please advise how to access the test drive. Thank you.

[Talever]

Hi I am trying to DL the program but I the link is not working. I am using Firefox do you have another link

Thanks

Chuck