eParrot Distilling Forum
Build Your Own => Still Automation => Topic started by: ketel3 on October 13, 2019, 08:15:56 PM
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I like to introduce the new controller I received from a friend , as a gift.
I followed this project for a long time and finaly there came translation of the app and manual.
Now it came available in Englisch.
Website : https://hellodistiller.ru use Google translate.
This controller has a Android app that supports all modes so a smart phone or android tablet and you are ready to go,further a small display on the controller itself to monitor also.
It is called HELLO DISTILLER and it is a Russian brand. ( English support is no problem and Englisch manual available)
So with a cheap android tablet you are able to control your still,by wifi , wifi direct , blue tooth. By inserting a usb stick into the CONTROLLER.
I have the 1fase 3600 watt version .......but there are versions for more power and 3 phase...... up to 18 kw .
What it can do ?
Controll of all functions with a Android app from the Google play store,support true windows too.
A small screen on the controller itself also gives info about the actual state.
Potstill distillation
Reflux distillation
Fractioned distillation
Continue distillation
Emulsification distilation (this is a brand new kind of distillation with some pressure into the column)
Maish of grains
Maish of meal
Brewing of beer
Control ferment
Control all kind of pumps
Stirrer control
Controll several solenoids
Pid control during distillation
Control of several solenoid valves
I will try and write more about it but a lot is new for me also.
You can use wifi local so you can run it without the need of a internet connection.
I will post a few screen shots ....and a photo of the the first test run I did with my small postill,but meanwhile I run my 50 liter still with 3000 watt heaters without any isues.
I will post more screen shots later.
Into the app there a 4 pages for settings I added those also,further you can add and controll all settings into each application,I will give a example later.
Click on the pictures to make them larger.
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For direct info about this controller from the manufacturer see info below.
You can find the website here : https://hellodistiller.ru
Use Chroome brouwser with translator and you will be fine.
As I had some questions I contacted them,and got perfect support from Maxim.
You can reach him with all your questions by mail : msg3122@gmail.com OR
info@hellodistiller.ru
And here the link to the Englisch version of the app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.msg3122gmail.hellodistillerremotecontrol
Or simply go to the play store and search for Hello Distiller.
There is a You Tube channel unfortunate in Russian but the movies are there ,eventualy activate subtitels , as they work
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6l6HCpPUG2OLbZD_RLapqg
Ok here a screen shot of the application potstill .... all sensors can be calibrated right into that screen ,just tab on the senors figures and adjust,see first photo.
Also you can set all kind of temperatures .....like cool water max temp,or a temperature that ones reached lowers the heat power from MAX to your chosen actual distilling power.
To set powers just tab below on the figures near the heaters and directly adjust your power settings.
Aslo you can set end distillation temperature ,ones that has been reached the power goes to zero and the cool waterflow will run for time free to adjust ,in my case 120 seconds ,after that the water valve will close,iff you have one installed.
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Here some screen shots for all kinds of distilling , mashing and fermenting programs,there are more screens but some look simular.
You can set a profile into each distilling screen,and save it.
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Here some screen shots about the messages shown on top of the application .....I marked with yellow a field ........
there is the actual state of the proces shows in text,during the proces.
As you can see you can add a profile , see the text in red potstill fruitstook.11% but you can add your own.
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Here a photo how the controller was shipped.
The 2 usb sticks ,web wifi and blue tooth.
And my 50 liter rig were I tested it on also,but not on this photo as it is a older photo.
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Here the spirit solenoid valves low cost, whaaw are they small,order the right voltage110 volt or 220/240 volt
You can purchase them with the controller OR on Alipress Ebay etc.
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/hD3o2hk
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1000004597340.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000014.1.69a54374tOrGJK&pvid=4bbceade-cce3-4321-93cc-597babd1a5ce&_t=gps-id:pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller,scm-url:1007.13338.133222.0,pvid:4bbceade-cce3-4321-93cc-597babd1a5ce&aff_platform=msite&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller&scm=1007.13338.133222.0&scm-url=1007.13338.133222.0&scm_id=1007.13338.133222.0
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I will add the water valve also,make sure to order the right one ,110volt or 220/240 volt depends were you live.
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/c6vAk0TY
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Here some screen shots for the pid....and some for the cuts heads/ hearts.
You can adjust right into the android app,just tab on the figures and the screen opens.
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Another feature there are 2 sensors ,one for product alarm ,like a jar alarm just add the sensor into the spirit collection jar if the point has reached you get a alarm on the controller itself and also on the app,the other sensor is in use as a water alarm you can add it to the floor of the distilling room for extra safety in case of a water leak,or use for other purpose.
Both sensors are adjustable right into the app screens.
I add some screen shots of the tablet display.
I have added yellow lines to line out the setting for each sensor.
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Fusel removal,it is what Edwin did with his peristaltic pump experiment.
The Hello Distiller controller gives this option automatic software/ hardware controlled ,in Russia its called polish buffer PB
I show here the screen involved you can program true the android app , but in windows , or direcly on the controller monitored on the small Screen you can control it also.
I show you also my fusel discharge point ,what I can add between my boiler and column,in case you use the Hello Distiller Controller there will be a solenoid added ,and you can program it for the best result on your setup.
If there are any questions how this works please ask.
What I can say the discharge of fusel oils make the column more stabil ,and will give a huge improvement in quality of the product.
See also under peristaltic pump topic.
http://eparrot.org/index.php/topic,526.msg6935.html#msg6935
As a guide for fusel discharge with a Polisch buffer..... to start with see the last photo.
Under 90 dgrs 1 drop/sec
Between 90 dgrs and 93 dgrs 2 drops/sec
From 93 dgrs and above 3 drops/sec
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It is possible to add a alcohol warning sensor,low budget.
This movie shows a test with the mains security relay first and at the end how to connect to the Hello Distiller Controller.
Below the movie you find the link to the parts you need from Aliepress.
Unfortunate the movie is in Russian but the movie speaks for itself.
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Hi k3. Nice controller you got their.
If i had seen this 2 months erlier before your first post i whuld have been verry intrested as i orderd My new controller then and i whuld love the app as my current controller dont have that feuture.
And being at the start of my destillary i need to hold my money close and hello destillers biggest option was a little expensive for me unfortunally.
Hope to hear your thoughts of this controller and is qurious of how auto you can turn your Still.
Best regards
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Hi Swestill,
Yes I understand that.
But the price on the website is the local price ,for outside Russia he does a temporary promotion price.
The app is great , especialy with a 10 inch tablet screen.
Cheers k3
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K3 what is the results of your controller? Have you got it all workt out?
It whuld be nice if you make a report of your results.
I dont want to be a sheap basterd and e-mail him for better price as i cant spend even half the price right now as i already baught a controller so i have to settle with that for now.
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I will post later about the parts that I have working sofar,parts like the brewing or mashing have to wait as I am doing other things right now.
So for now I post only about all the features.
The last update a several days ago allows you to store the settings for a special run ,like fruit ......right on the server so other users have acces to such settings,or for reuse yourself.
Not all will like that but sometimes it will be nice as you have all settings in one go like pid settings,temp settings,valve settings.
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As a guide for fusel discharge with a Polisch buffer..... to start with see the last photo.
Under 90 dgrs 1 drop/sec
Between 90 dgrs and 93 dgrs 2 drops/sec
From 93 dgrs and above 3 drops/sec
I'm very impressed that our selection node which is analog of Polisch buffer became so popular :)
I see photos and videos even outside of Russia :)
Absolutely agree with:
"Under 90 dgrs 1 drop/sec
Between 90 dgrs and 93 dgrs 2 drops/sec
From 93 dgrs and above 3 drops/sec"
I always repeat this instruction when I use in my videos.
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Thanks for your advise Andrey.
We did not know how to adjust at the start ,we did not know anything about this system as it was a idea of Edwin and his wishfull thinking.
At the time we did the testing we did not know it was available at all ,and for such a low price,I would not have build it.
Easy to implement ,I can only say to people use it and see the improvement.
I see more new things and inventions by Russian distillers and companys ,like emulsification also a Russian invention.
And not forget Spp.
That is the reason I often look at Russian websites and You Tube movies.
Cheers K3
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Hi Ketel3, Sounds good. Do you have it up and running? Do you know what kind of hardware is inside? Does it run on a Raspberry?
PS We mis you at the dutch distillers
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Hello Bizzy,
I have not all running ,as I had some bad luck with the solenoid valves I ordered on Aliexpress,they simply did not arrive.
Now I expect them in a week than I can start with the pid settings and head , heart selection.
I did af few runs in potstill modus and it worked great,the beer brew , mash controller,ferment controller will be tested step by step.
It is great you can adjust directly into app screen ,it makes it all so clear.
I have not opened the controller,the only thing I did was a update on the firmware,and a update on the app from Google play store
The Dutch Distillers, well let me think about that one.
I know one can build a controller , but not all have skills , so this full featured controller is a great apparatus for them.
Cheers K3
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And yes the valves arrived now the fun can begin,whaaw are they small.
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Just to clarify if you have the 400 volt controller it can also be used for 230 volt output just choose for 1 phase instead for
3 phase into the app settings.
EDIT: 110 volt version also available.
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Valves are mounted on a small enclosure now,reason for that is the need of some indication,valve open or not.
So for the 2 head/heart valves there is a led now for each valve.
There are many ways to connect a led to the 230 volt ac of the valves but this schematic one has low power consumption due the use of a capacitor that functions like a resistor for ac voltage ,otherwise you need a resistor , and that resistor can get very hot.
Just connect this builds parallel to the valves,for each valve one ,so in this case I needed 2 of them,later 3 when I start using the water valve also.
By the way the controller has the option to lower the output voltage for the valves ,so to avoid getting the valves to hot you can lower the output voltage for the valves to 170 volt or so,or any voltage that works for your kind of valves.
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The app had some updates.
Rectification was changed.
Mainscreen for settings has been modifyed.
See below.
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A new manual for the ""Hello Distiller "" controller came available.
It is a temporary version.
Some photo's will be replaced for the ones with English stickers.
So this is a raw version and will be updated.
The file is to large to post,you can download it from this dropbox link.
Edit: 10-2020
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/o1be9j7kjwhtsxxe9iq55/English-10-04-2020-v-5.035.doc?dl=0&rlkey=s7r0godsu73zqnewxanprdnc4
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Update:
A minute timer added for mashing.
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A new update came available into Google playstore.
1) By default, the system settings are hidden, undesirable for changes.
2) At the first connection with the controller, the controller ID and server address are read automatically.
3) Implemented the selection of sub-heads through the valve PB.
4) To implement paragraph 3), update the controller firmware to version 5.035.
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Maybe nice to have a look inside the HelloDistiller enclosure.
Here a new movie.
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There is a new update into the Google playstore for the HelloDistiller app.
You need to update the controller firmware also to version 5.038.
Here the changes of the app itself.
1) Implemented control as an external regulator, as well as a simple overclocking channel.
2) Fixed errors in the operation of the lower selection unit.
3) The transition of the three-phase controller to the single-phase mode has been implemented, starting with a given power.
4) The application wakes itself out of sleep by means of silent messages. If the messages are not silent, then mute the Channel HelloDistiller No Sound.
5) Controller firmware 5.038
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Update:
Soon there will be sensors 3,4mm and 4 mm available.
So you can choose 5mm or 3,4 mm and 4mm.
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New sensors arrived.
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There is a new update into Google play store, Version 1.89
Find here whats new.
[1) The display of the temperature of the 4th and 5th temperature sensor (if any) has been implemented.
2) Fixed errors in the operation of the lower selection unit.
3) The transition of the three-phase controller to the single-phase mode has been implemented, starting with a given power.
4) The application wakes itself out of sleep by means of silent messages. If the messages are not silent, then mute the Channel HelloDistiller NoSound.
5) Controller firmware 5.038 needed,so update your controller to use all features.
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How to implement a alcohol sniffer to the HelloDistiller controller,but one can use it also on its own.
First there is a practical part at the beginning of the movie about the working with mains,at the end the hardeware like a small Aliexpress pcb and low cost alcohol sensor.
I was supprised about the acuracy,as you can see with some alcohol on a cotton stick.
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Today I found very sad news on the Russian website home distillers.ru.
Maxim the developer of the Russian controller HelloDistiller has past away , just a few days ago, he died of the Covid virus.
I will remember him as a kind and helpfull person.
Hope his wife and children find the power to go on.
Rest in peace my friend.
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UPDATE
The work of Maxim and HelloDistiller will be continued.
So production has started again, support is available,and for people that use it , the server for remote control is running,but you can also run with blue tooth , wifi direct, or wifi over your router.
For orders or info .
https://hellodistiller.ru use Google translator.
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The controller has a function known as pressure control,not only as a safety feature,but also for a special way of distillation known as emulsification .
With emulsification you can build a continue distilling system controlled by pressure to make very clean distillate.
The pressure sensor is plugged into the controller by a usb cable.
I add a picture of this sensor.
You can change settings directly into the android app.
https://hellodistiller.ru/market/soputstvuyuwie_tovary/datchik_davleniya_v_kube/ (use google translator)
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But the controller has more options,if you only want a safety warning or shut off the power to the heaters in case the pressure for whatever reason is to high into the boiler there is simpel way.
You can use a simple analoge pressure meter with build in electrical contact.
This meters have a adjustable needle for the setpoint,so you can adjust the allowed pressure by this.
Just a wire is needed from the pressure meter contact to the NBK / PVC connector of the controller , if the pressure rises to the alarm level setpoint the power to the heaters will be disconnected.
The cable with connector is available on HelloDistillers webshop or local electronic shop.
These pressure meters are available over a large range ,for a simple setup choose a meter into the range 0 to 0,25 Mpa will be ok .
Or into the range 0 to 0,16 Mpa, or the value that fits to your boiler and column.
I will include a picture, prices on Aliexpress about $10 incl shipping.
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Here a movie about the Hello Distiller controller and a continue distilation set up.use translator to get Eng.sub.