BrewPi Spark DIY Shield
I could get my hands on a cheap second hand Spark Core so what else to do than to build a brewpi shield for it.
You can find Elcos original schematics here:
https://community.particle.io/t/looking-for-feedback-on-brewing-shield-with-touchscreen/7203
There is no DIP version for the DS2482 chip, but you can buy a SOIC-DIP adapter on ebay.
Parts List and costs:
| Spark Core [Amazon][Ebay] | 29.00 |
| 2.4″ SPI TFT LCD [Amazon][Ebay] | 6.65 |
| SOIC-8 to DIP-8 Adapter [Amazon][Ebay] | 1.58 |
| CD74HCT125E Quad Buffer [Amazon][Ebay] | 0.51 |
| DS2482S-100 1-Wire Master[Amazon][Ebay] | 0.88 |
| 12xMale Headers [Amazon][Ebay] | 0.20 |
| 46xFemale Headers [Amazon][Ebay] | 0.15 |
| IC socket 16 Pin [Amazon][Ebay] | 0.16 |
| 2×0.1uF Capacitor [Amazon][Ebay] | 0.13 |
| 7805 5V DC-DC Converter [Amazon][Ebay] | 0.4 |
| Transistor 2N3906 [Amazon][Ebay] | 0.15 |
| 4x10k Resistor [Amazon][Ebay] | 0.08 |
| 2x1k Resistor [Amazon][Ebay] | 0.04 |
| 1×39 Resistor [Amazon][Ebay] | 0.02 |
| Total | ~40$ |
The buzzer in the next image is not necessary, i just added it for testing purposes.
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21 thoughts on “BrewPi Spark DIY Shield”
Nice! Where did you get the Spark core from?
Its a second hand spark i bought at ricardo.ch (ebay clone) page.
Is that a buzzer on there?
Yes, i added it to check if the programming worked before i recieved the display.
Great job, thank you for the instruction. Curious, what rev of code did you put on the Spark, it looks different from the BrewPi Spark display I have seen?
Thank you, the screenshot is from an old preview version. Right now im using Firmware 0.2.10. Cheers!
Would a 2.8″ SainSmart TFT LCD suffice, only one I can find locally?
Check the pinout, if it is identical and the voltages are the same go on!
Do you also have schematic for this shield please?
You can find it here:
https://community.particle.io/t/looking-for-feedback-on-brewing-shield-with-touchscreen/7203
I’m a noob when it comes to brewing and recently got a fermentation chamber. I’m a DIY guy and have been reading DIY about brew-pi and i came across your page. Had a couple of questions
1) I live in an apt and I have an old PC, can the spark/photon communicate with PC instead of RPi if I used the following setup ? http://docs.brewpi.com/manual-brewpi-install/manual-brewpi-install.html
2) Is the programming for spark/photon different ? (i haven’t used either in my earlier DIYs) and where could i find the source-code for the same ?
Hi Ninzaa,
1. Yes that will work.
2. I have not used the photon, but it should be compatible witch the spark and pinout is the same.
Cheers!
Where did the transistor fit in? (Is it at the 1-wire master?)
What transistor? Its a 7805 5V DC-DC Converter
On the parts list you mention a “Transistor 2N3906”
I believe he is asking about the TO-92 package that is below the voltage regulator in the first picture after the BOM. I believe it is the 2N3906, but is not shown in any subsequent pictures. Perhaps it was only there for the buzzer.
Ah yes, thats right i use it for the buzzer. It was just added for debugging.
Buzzer question. If you look at Elco’s last published schematic it uses a BSS84 P-MOSFET to drive the buzzer. If you look closely at the pictures on the BrewPi store you can see it’s a BSS138 N-MOSFET. I know both will actually work but the logic will be inverted. So the question is are you still using a 2N3906 PNP transistor with the latest firmwares ?
Ta.
Hi Cameron,
I’m still waiting for the multi chamber firmware. Its a long time since i updated my spark. I only added the buzzer for testing and i used a 2N3906 because i had no BSS84.
I would say go with the official schematic. Maybe check if the software drives the buzzer output high or low when off.
Cheers!
Hey there, I’m considering doing this myself to upgrade my arduino build, but I don’t know if it has gotten old since there is already spark 3. How would this compare? Did you experience any improvements with this set up compared to the arduino ones?
Hi Pere-Lluis, sorry, i dont use the spark brewpi anymore. I wanted to use the multichamber support of the spark but it never came out so i went with multiple arduinos. Today i would probably use ESP8266. Maybe check out the brewpi forum if you need info on the spark 3.