An electronic hydrometer I'm working on

[Dave S]

If you are using a conventional hydrometer with sensors attached, how do you correct for the extra weight causing the hydrometer to sink further?

[chris2012]

That's a good point, I was just going to calibrate for that in software.

[orlando]

What about setmash's post hasn't that product "shot your Fox?"

[chris2012]

Not really, I like to DIY electronic stuff, I wouldn't mind comparing accuracy too though, with theirs.

[Fil]

nice one . Not for me , too many extra bits in the beer. you could set it up in a smaller vessel with wort at the start of a fermentation and stick it next to the actual brew to give an indication of whats going on in the bulk without any intrusion?

[chris2012]

Yup Fil, that'd definitely be possible.

[orlando]

you could set it up in a smaller vessel with wort at the start of a fermentation and stick it next to the actual brew to give an indication of whats going on in the bulk without any intrusion?

Would it be exactly the same?

[Fil]

no temps will differ even in a closed space things like thermal mass and yeast activity will have effect on it but any measurements taken are approximations, this would be just one more step removed, and therfore be no more than an indication.... experimentation would be the only way to confirm how good an approximation it provides.. there may be a strong correlation, which could help predict bulk gravity based on the separate sample. ie the bulk is generaly 2 days ahead?

but something like an unexpected draught blowing over the sample could easily scupper it..

[floydmeddler]

Have often daydreamed about this. Great to see it coming into reality!

[Highlander]

How much accuracy can you get with hall sensors?
Could you paint the hydrometer so it is opaque and use some an optical sensor array that would trip as it rose.
The mechanical issues around gas bubbles and yeast deposits will be a tough one to get around.

[chris2012]

I'm not certain how much accuracy i'll get yet, hopefully i'll find out this weekend.

Yeah I've also thought about using an image sensor from a scanner and placing a light on top of the hydrometer, and measuring
the SG from that.

Yeah i'll have to see how badly they effect it in practice.

[barneey]

Any update on the idea?

[irv]

Do you think you are engineering a solution for a problem that doesn't really exist?

[orlando]

Do you think you are engineering a solution for a problem that doesn't really exist?

[Dave S]

Do you think you are engineering a solution for a problem that doesn't really exist?

+1