What's new in v1.1 hardware? (2019)
David wrote:
You mentioned that one thing you regret with the v1.0 is that you didn't put some kind of electrical clamp (or something like that). Is it something that users can install on their own?
From v1.0 to v1.1 there were 3 major changes:
- on the AC PCB: an electrician's clamp was added for measuring real-time power consumption
- on the DC PCB: a new set of communication ports were added that enabled the Group Head Controller
- in the group head: a 4mm reduction in head space above the puck
#3 (head space) is easily updated, if you want it with a spacer from a number of folks on Diaspora. Your pucks will be drier, but I never found a taste difference nor has anyone reported one. And if you want even less headspace, those mod kits here on Diaspora are available for v1.0 users too.
#1 (electrician's clamp) was mostly added for self-testing, so that (for instance) we'd be eventually able to tell when a valve was getting calcified, by the fact that it's consuming more current to open/close than it should. However current measurement has turned out to be the “magic key” to unlocking really excellent flow measurement, in the new firmware.
It turns out that what's been throwing the flow measurements off is AC power fluctuations under load. Some people's AC power is rock-solid, while others will have it drop significantly while the heaters are running. And while we assume 120V/230V as the two standards, exceptions are possibly as common as than the rule.
In the new firmware, Ray is now measuring real current availability with that electrician's clamp. He can now, with great accuracy, understand how much water will move with each pump stroke. Small changes in current have a HUGE impact on water-moved-per-stroke, but only under pressure (when the extra current is needed). But of course, that's when we want the accuracy the most (during espresso making).
v1.1 and v1.3 users will thus be able to benefit from this.
v1.0 users will be able to enter, via the tablet app, the voltage at their location. However, their machine won't detect changes under load. How important this will be, we don't yet know.
#2 (communications ports) for the group head controller : this is the reason v1.0 users can't upgrade to the group head controller.
And YES, a v1.0 customer could upgrade the PCB, so that they get #1 and #2 above. However, it's:
- an expensive upgrade, as both PCBs have to be upgraded together (they're a matched pair) https://decentespresso.com/c?s=13040+1+13041+1+13051+1
- requires some dexterity, as there's a lot of connections to remake
And yes, in theory (I have to check with Charles) I believe that a v1.0 DE1 with newer PCBs, could be upgraded with the group head controller.
Also see: What's new in DE1 hardware?
Updated 2019/05/31