4.2. Adding a BrewPi Controller to Fermentrack

Setting up a controller that is running the BrewPi firmware is easy, and Fermentrack will guide you every step of the way. If you prefer to jump straight in and set the controller up manually, Fermentrack supports that too. Just jump ahead to Setting up a controller using the Advanced (Manual) Workflow.

All of these instructions assume that you have already flashed the relevant firmware to your controller. If you just built it and need to flash it, read Flashing a Controller and complete that process before continuing.

Warning

Prior to setting up a controller with Fermentrack, please read any notes specific to your controller’s hardware on the :doc:hardware page.

4.2.1. Configuring an ESP8622 controller for WiFi

If you have an ESP8622 controller and wish to connect to Fermentrack via WiFi, follow these steps to associate the ESP8622 board with your LAN wifi network.

  1. After flashing an ESP8622, open your host computer’s WiFi network selector and look for an access point that begins with “ESP_” and then a string of numbers.
  2. Connect to this access point and navigate to any web page- you should be automatically redirected to the ES8266 configuration web page (If not, the configuration page usually runs at http://192.168.4.1).
  3. Select your LAN wifi network from the networks identified, as well as your wifi password and mDNS name (a text string to identify your ESP8622 board by)
  4. Click ‘Save’. The ESP8622 will reboot and then connect to your LAN wifi network.

4.2.2. Adding a WiFi-configured ESP8266 controller to Fermentrack using the Guided Workflow

Follow these steps if you wish to add a BrewPi controller that supports WiFi.

  1. With the controller disconnected from the Raspberry Pi, launch guided setup and select “Add New Device (Guided)” from the “Select Device to Control” dropdown
  2. Select the correct board type from the dropdown and click “Submit”
  3. If your device is already flashed, choose “Yes - Already Flashed”. If it isn’t, read Flashing a Controller before continuing.
  4. Select the correct board type (ESP8266) from the dropdown and click “Submit”
  5. Select “WiFi” on the left, and then click “Scan WiFi via mDNS”
  6. Select the appropriate device from the “Available (Uninstalled) Devices” list, and click “Set Up”
  7. Enter a name for the device, adjust settings as needed, and click “Submit”

4.2.3. Adding a serial-connected controller using the Guided Workflow

Note

When setting up a controller to connect via serial, the selected “port” is incredibly important, but is prone to change on reboot or as other devices are connected. Please read About Serial Port Autodetection for information on how Fermentrack handles this issue.

Follow these steps if you wish to add a BrewPi controller via a serial (USB) connection.

  1. With the controller disconnected from the Raspberry Pi, launch guided setup and select “Add New Device (Guided)” from the “Select Device to Control” dropdown
  2. Select the correct board type from the dropdown and click “Submit”
  3. If your device is already flashed, choose “Yes - Already Flashed”. If it isn’t, read Flashing a Controller before continuing.
  4. If setting up any device other than an ESP8266 click “Begin Serial Autodetection”. If setting up an ESP8266, select “Serial” on the left, and then click “Begin Serial Autodetection”
  5. Ensure that the controller is not connected to the Raspberry Pi, and click “Scan Devices”
  6. Connect the controller to the Raspberry Pi
  7. Click “Scan for New Devices”
  8. Choose the device that corresponds to your Arduino and click “Set Up”
  9. Enter a name for the device, adjust settings as needed, and click “Submit”

4.2.3.1. About Serial Port Autodetection

By default, Linux assigns serial ports to devices like BrewPi controllers based on the order they are connected. If you have multiple devices connected to your Raspberry Pi this can mean that Fermentrack could potentially mistake one device for another. To prevent this, Fermentrack includes a feature which will disregard the specified serial port when connecting to the controller and will instead connect to the device with the USB serial number that matches the device you set up.

If you wish to disable this feature and instead only connect to the specified serial port, uncheck the “Prefer Connecting Via Udev” option in the “Manage Device” screen.

This feature only works on Linux-based operating systems (including Raspbian for Raspberry Pi), and may not work if Fermentrack is installed on a Mac or Windows-based computer.

4.2.4. Setting up a controller using the Advanced (Manual) Workflow

Note

When setting up a controller to connect via serial, the selected “port” is incredibly important, but is prone to change on reboot or as other devices are connected. Please read About Serial Port Autodetection for information on how Fermentrack handles this issue.

Setting up a controller using Advanced Workflow

  1. Connect the controller to the Raspberry Pi
  2. Launch guided setup and select “Add New Device (Advanced)”
  3. Enter the configuration options associated with the device.

Todo

Rewrite the Manual Workflow section to document the available options, etc.