Dear fellow HB members, I have a diliemma and need some advice.

I am currently roasting with a Quest M3 and am looking to utilize the Artisan logging software to log my roasts so I can have a better understanding and measurment of the variables that influence the flavor of my roasts. I'm not here to start a conversation about how I should use it for what it was meant for, a manual roaster, I don't want to PID the unit (at this point) but rather I just want to have some data to analyze and store instead of having tons of scrap paper that I brood over like a madman!

After much reading, I think I'm going to use the Artisan software that is available to our community. My question is for the actual data logging hardware: should I purchase the Omega HH506RA or the TC4C. If I'm not mistaken, the HH506RA will allow me to measure 2 things at the same time, while the TC4C will allow up to 4 (not sure about this). The only problem is that the HH506RA comes enclosed, while the TC4C would require some sort of enclosure.

So, my question is this. What advantages or disadvantages does the TC4C have over the HH506RA other than price? Can I use this for my application?

I appreciate the help, I am completely ignorant when it comes to this and want to make sure I do things right the first time by utilizing the HB community for support.

Robot.

The main difference to me is that the TC4C could also be used to control your roaster, provided you use software that supports this. It could then be used to follow a predefined roast profile automatically, controlling both fan and heater (would require appropriate interface/SSR).

It seems that the TC4C does indeed have up to 4 inputs, meaning I can measure the BT, the ET and the environmental ambient temperature as well. Unfortunately I must find some kind of container or box to mount the unit it, but I will be placing an order for one of these units shortly and will keep everybody in the loop as to my development.

Once I get to what I consider an acceptable level of roasting, I plan on sending my roasts to Jim to analyze to help me improve. This is going to be fun!

Robot wrote:So, my question is this. What advantages or disadvantages does the TC4C have over the HH506RA other than price? Can I use this for my application?

This depends quite a bit on your personal "DIY quotient"

A minimal TC4C installation for Artisan would need a small enclosure and a standard USB cable with a type B plug. The board can be preloaded with aArtisan or aArtisanQ at the "factory", making it pretty close to plug and play on your end. With Artisan properly configured, the TC4C will support either 2 or 4 thermocouples.

The biggest advantage of the TC4C is the ability, if your DIY quotient is high, to control the roaster using Artisan (or other applications that may eventually be developed). Computer control requires more hardware (SSR's and a zero cross detector), more enclosures for the extra hardware, and some surgery on your roaster.

Another advantage is that you can load a different application (aBourbon) in the device, attach an LCD display and use it as a standalone roast monitor. In this configuration, no computer is required, and it will display a roast timer, ET, BT, and BT-RoR.

The biggest disadvantages of the basic TC4C are that it becomes pretty dedicated to your roaster once it is set up, so cannot be used as an independent thermometer like the HH506RA. And it is also a hacker-created and supported device.

Jim

Jim, you had me at "DIY quotient"!

Seriously, thanks for that detailed post, it really went a long way. I just placed my order a few minutes ago and I'd like to get the board loaded with aArtisan. Man, I just ordered my thermocouples and now this, I'm very excited to start getting more scientific with my roasts!

Luckily for me, I work for a company called 'Eaton' and have access to some solid state relays and the like, so I might take the aArtisanQ path at some future point, but I'm not going to lie to myself and tell you that I'm "there" yet technically, but I do have confidence that with the resources on this board, I can make it work.

I'll let you know once the board arrives and I'll keep everyone posted of my journey through this! Thanks again, this will be a nice holiday season!

I just built a roaster and its posted on coffeegeek.com. due to the warnings I will not post it here but its a propane infra red element at approx 15000 btu with a fan on top of a cyclone for chaff removal.
I also would like to controll the roaster first roast and there has only been one since I just finished it last weekend.
what do you use for the gas flow controller ? and the fan control due to its 120 vac not DC

if you know where I can purchase these control componenets ans the board with the contact information I would be very grateful.

I would like to transition to a completely computer controlled roaster , any help appreciated

Thanks Bill

here is a link to the roaster that I made , yes I know its not the most professional job but it is working very well.
I do not beleive this violates policy to send the link to the pics as it may help my question above.
Thanks Bill

http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/coffee...ast/539025

Ultramatic Orange,

Thank you very much for the heads up. I was at the office the other day looking for a box I could mount the PCB into. I found some boxes that might have worked, but were ultimately too big. I finally settled on a small enclosure that used to hold a small bracelet. It is a metal clamshell that is a great fit for the board.

Now that you opened my eyes to the project box, I have a whole new world of possibilities to look at! I really appreciate the heads up on that, couldn't have (or probably wouldn't have) know about it if it wasn't for you and this forum.

I'll start a post once I have everything ready to go and keep everybody posted on my journey to roasting nirvana.

-Robot