Two Way Motorised Ball Valve

[wiifm]

I have been working on controlling RC water flow with a 2 way motorised ball valve using an Arduino board for a little while now. I have had some breakthroughs in the past couple of days so though I'd share what I have so far.




For anyone interested in the code, there is a GitHub repository here which has a library to handle all the functionality and a couple of example Arduino sketches.

More to come! :-B

[bluc]

Awesome very interesting :handgestures-thumbupleft: Would a needle valve be of more use than a ball valve though :-B

[EziTasting]

Being geeky at heart, I'm keenly interested, but WHY?? :think:

[rumdidlydum]

Outstanding work wiifm, I knew of a couple of members were playing with this stuff and I'm eager to see how its done and how accurate it is :handgestures-thumbupleft:

But to those out there that think this is a solution to set and walk away automation, think again..........

[EziTasting]

Outstanding work wiifm, I knew of a couple of members were playing with this stuff and I'm eager to see how its done and how accurate it is :handgestures-thumbupleft:

But to those out there that think this is a solution to set and walk away automation, think again..........

Well thats not what Im interested in it for... been thinking about finding a way to manage cooling water temps and flow for a while now, but Ive been preoccupied with making stuff I actually like to drink (even if I haven't been all that successful - yet)... :D I intend on getting there!!

[bluc]

Outstanding work wiifm, I knew of a couple of members were playing with this stuff and I'm eager to see how its done and how accurate it is :handgestures-thumbupleft:

But to those out there that think this is a solution to set and walk away automation, think again..........

Couldn't agree more but don't think that, that is what this is about

Being geeky at heart, I'm keenly interested, but WHY?? :think:

You could have the software to also convert temps to abv then control the reflux to a specific output abv. on a bubbler.Simply instead of playing with a valve to suit output have software do it for you
:-B

[EziTasting]

Y E E E E H E H E H E H E E E S S S S!!!!

been watching these vids on how they manage their temps with warning alarms etc ... now to control water flow to the RC ... sounds like a lot of fun!!! :D

Like Big Kev - "I'm Excited!"

[wiifm]

Outstanding work wiifm, I knew of a couple of members were playing with this stuff and I'm eager to see how its done and how accurate it is :handgestures-thumbupleft:

But to those out there that think this is a solution to set and walk away automation, think again..........

I am not now or ever advocating unattended distilling. Safety is always paramount. That's the last I will say about that.

You could have the software to also convert temps to abv then control the reflux to a specific output abv. on a bubbler.Simply instead of playing with a valve to suit output have software do it for you
:-B

Bingo. This is just a piece of the jigsaw puzzle to fit with the rest.

A needle valve may be more accurate if you are leaving it to sit in one spot, but I dont have that intention. This code can make the valve move for only 1ms, so very fine resolution. Much finer than human fingers on a ball valve.

[bluc]

:handgestures-thumbupleft: sweet stuff :D

[EziTasting]

Silly question - does anyone here know where or if there's a good starting-off website?
Not so much 'where to buy' but more about learning about the basics and how to get started?!

I mean it's OK to copy, but if you don't understand then, when something goes wrong you won't be able to do anything to fix it!
Then I might as well buy a completed product so I can send it back... know what I mean?!?!

[wiifm]

Ezi

https://www.arduino.cc is THE place to start. From there, it is google and your imagination.

If you buy additional hardware from places like www.sparkfun.com, they usually have a tutorial with examples on how to make it work.

If you have any specific questions about this code, feel free to ask.

[EziTasting]

Ezi

https://www.arduino.cc is THE place to start. From there, it is google and your imagination.

If you buy additional hardware from places like http://www.sparkfun.com, they usually have a tutorial with examples on how to make it work.

If you have any specific questions about this code, feel free to ask.

Cheers wiifm, had found the first one and was starting to look around... but the second one gives you some vids on what individual the items do, that's very helpful!

I'll keep a read then send you a PM or 3 see if I can articulate what I want to achieve!?!

Thank you for your time.

[Carbonator]

I like it and one could possibly have finer automated control using a needle valve that has a stepper motor to work it! Is there such a beast at reasonable cost? I think ultimately, someone will do it with a CPLD - would be more "bullet proof".

[EziTasting]

I like it and one could possibly have finer automated control using a needle valve that has a stepper motor to work it! Is there such a beast at reasonable cost? I think ultimately, someone will do it with a CPLD - would be more "bullet proof".

Pharque Dood!

CPLD???? :wtf:

[Carbonator]

Pharque Dood!

CPLD???? :wtf:

HAHAHA!

Just another computer chip that does it all, just add buttons/switches, motor controller, display, temp probe and power.

Google can explain it exactly - https://www.google.com.au/?gfe_rd=cr&ei ... ssl#q=cpld

[EziTasting]

:laughing-rolling: you're kidding right:

A complex programmable logic device (CPLD) is a programmable logic device with complexity between that of PALs and FPGAs, and architectural features of both. The main building block of the CPLD is a macrocell, which contains logic implementing disjunctive normal form expressions and more specialized logic operations.

Lol I think I get it... :shock: haha back to school, this should impress my kids!

I believe I'll be enjoying this mental exercise! And if it worx @ the end, will be even more enjoyable!
Sitting back, sipping a self-made Whisky, observing my little doodat whistling and chirping away while it measure/records temps and, with any luck, adjusting the water flow to the dephleg... one can dream!

[wiifm]

I like it and one could possibly have finer automated control using a needle valve that has a stepper motor to work it! Is there such a beast at reasonable cost? I think ultimately, someone will do it with a CPLD - would be more "bullet proof".

Go for your life mate. In the meantime, I will keep doing what I am doing.

It may be the case that a needle valve gives finer control than a ball valve but....

This ball valve takes around 4200ms to turn 90 degrees and i can make it move for 1ms at a time if i want. That's around 1/50th of 1 degree. Then i could slow the motor down to obtain even finer movement if necessary.

Worth giving a go before going down the more expensive stepper motor needle valve path in my view.

[Carbonator]

This ball valve takes around 4200ms to turn 90 degrees and i can make it move for 1ms at a time if i want. That's around 1/50th of 1 degree. Then i could slow the motor down to obtain even finer movement if necessary.

Worth giving a go before going down the more expensive stepper motor needle valve path in my view.

Yep, horses for courses! :-D

[lynx]

As I am new to the site 1st up I will say Hi to all the still freaks :happy-partydance: ..

I see every one trying to control this and that to make life simple ( Plug And Play ) " Not plug and walk away "
If your not in to learning a new computer language ( Arduino ) you might fiend this a little more simple...

Project : Control the water flow rate to the colum condenser to maintain best vaper ABV be for it moves it to condensing chamber.

Using a " Digital thermostat Temperature Controler " with onboard PID " Fuzzy " algorithm ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/REX-C400-Dual-Digital-F-C-Digital-PID-Temperature-Controller-Alarm-Function-/371474136406.. with a J type thermo probe in to the top of the colum..
This will Be attached to a 240vac step doune transformer 240vac - 12vdc with output control V. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AC-110V-220V-TO-DC-5V-12V-24V-2A-60A-Switch-Power-Supply-Adapter-Intriguing-/282263224842
Now we have 2 of the main components for control lets K.I.S.S this thing .. on this page you will fiend a Relay to switch rotation of a 12v motor http://www.homebuiltrovs.com/howtorelays.html
By running one relay to the " temp to hot " and one relay to " temp to cold " and then on to a DC motor with DC12V 5RPM High Torque Brushless DC Gear Box Motor Speed Reducer
and then using the DC-5V-12V-2A-Switch-Power-Supply-Adapter-Intriguing it will make slow controlled movements

Add in 2 micro stop switches so it will not jam shut or open past 90% of a needle valve...
well Thats the plan as I dont have lots of $$ I will be making it in parts and I will eventually set a recirculating tank out side with a pump 580lt will cover the heat exchange :obscene-drinkingdrunk:

[Sam.]

Good info lynx :handgestures-thumbupleft:

How about an intro post in the welcome center, it's only taken 18 months for your first post :laughing-rolling: