How to install your BrewBeacon
This manual explains how to install Cropster's BrewBeacon on your espresso machine.
Table of Contents
By proceeding with the installation of the BrewBeacon, the user acknowledges and accepts all associated risks and agrees to release Cropster from any liability related to the use of the device and software. Also, the terms of service set forth by Cropster are applicable.
Cropster BrewBeacon is designed and engineered to be fully installed within a volumetric espresso machine.
If you have questions about the compatibility of your espresso machine, please contact Cropster Support for assistance. We are here for you.
What is in your BrewBeacon Box?
- The BrewBeacon
- Flow Meter cable (1 per Grouphead)
- (Only if needed) Either T-Connectors (3 per Grouphead) or CBFC 101/102/104 Flow Meter connectors (1 per Grouphead)
- Flow Meter Connectors for Type 101, 102, 104.
- Solenoid Sensor (1 per Grouphead)
Pre-Installation Requirements
We prepared a brief document outlining pre-installation steps and best practices to ensure a smooth installation.
You can find the BrewBeacon Pre-Installation Requirements here. Please review it before proceeding.
The Steps of Installation
The installation process can be organised into two primary parts:
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Part 1.
Hardware: The physical installation of the BrewBeacon on your espresso machine. -
Part 2.
Software: Integrating your espresso machine with the online platform C-sar.
We recommend opening a second tab for Part 2.
Part 1.
Hardware - Physical installation of the BrewBeacon on your espresso machine
Maintain the following sequence:
- Attaching the Solenoid Sensor
- Installing the Flow Meter Connectors
- Installing your BrewBeacon
Attaching the Solenoid Sensor and Identifying the Flow Meter Type
- Switch off the espresso machine and let it cool before attempting the installation.
- Refer to your espresso machine's manual for instructions on how to open it.
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Once the espresso machine is open, locate your solenoid valve.
- The solenoid valve closest to the brew group is typically a three-way valve.
- Identify and note the number and colours of the wires connected to each group's solenoid valve.
- If there are two wires connected to the solenoid valve, choose the one with more slack. If there are more than two wires, select the one that differs in colour from the other.
- Attach the Solenoid Sensor to the chosen wire unit until it clicks twice. The arrow in the Solenoid Sensor needs to point to the Solenoid.
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Next, identify your Flow Meter type:
- Flow Meter Type 1
- Flow Meter Type 2
- Flow Meter Type 3
- Flow Meter Type 4
Installing the Flow Meter Connectors
Flow Meter Type 1 | Connector: CBF-101
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Remove the espresso machine's Flow Meter connector using a Phillips screwdriver, taking care not to lose the screw.
Please always refer to your espresso machine's service manual for a safe removal of the Flow Meter Connectors. - Slide the Cropster Flow Meter Connector (CBFC-101) onto the Flow Meter pins with minimal resistance. Avoid excessive force, ensuring the connector markings align with the Flow Meter's polarity and the “THIS SIDE UP” sign is visible and facing away from the Flow Meter.
- Reconnect the espresso machine's connector by reversing the previous steps, taking care not to over-tighten the screw.
Flow Meter Type 2 | Connector CBF-102
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Remove the espresso machine’s Flow Meter connector using a Phillips screwdriver, taking care not to lose the screw.
Please refer to your machine's service manual for safe removal of the flow meter connectors. - Slide the green Cropster Flow Meter Connector (CBFC-102) onto the flow meter pins with minimal resistance. Avoid excessive force, ensuring the connector markings align with the flow meter's polarity and the "THIS SIDE UP" sign is visible and facing away from the flow meter.
- Reconnect the espresso machine's connector by reversing the previous steps, taking care not to over-tighten the screw.
Flow Meter Type 3 | Connector CBF-101
You need to use Connector CBF-101.
The cables are not broken; they are prepared this way. This Flow Meter Type needs a workaround; therefore, the cables will come prepared.
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Remove the espresso machine’s Flow Meter connector using a Phillips screwdriver, taking care not to lose the screw.
Please refer to your machine's service manual for safe removal of the flow meter connectors. - Slide the green Cropster Flow Meter Connector (CBFC-101) onto the flow meter pins with minimal resistance. Avoid excessive force, ensuring the connector markings align with the flow meter's polarity and the "THIS SIDE UP" sign is visible and facing away from the flow meter.
- Reconnect the espresso machine's connector by reversing the previous steps, taking care not to over-tighten the screw.
Flow Meter Type 4 | Connector CBF-102
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Remove the espresso machine's Flow Meter connector using a Phillips screwdriver, taking care not to lose the screw.
Please always refer to your espresso machine's service manual for a safe removal of the Flow Meter Connectors. - Slide the Cropster Flow Meter Connector (CBFC-102) onto the Flow Meter pins with minimal resistance. Avoid excessive force, ensuring the connector markings align with the Flow Meter's polarity and the “THIS SIDE UP” sign is visible and facing away from the Flow Meter.
- Reconnect the espresso machine's connector by reversing the previous steps, taking care not to over-tighten the screw.
Installing your BrewBeacon
Before moving on to the installation of your BrewBeacon, let's take a moment to ensure that you have completed the critical hardware preparations:
✅ The Solenoid Sensors are in place.
✅ The Flow Meter connectors are in place.
Now that these essential components are in place, you are well-prepared to proceed with the installation of your BrewBeacon.
The installation consists of six main stages:
1. Checking the power supply
We recommend connecting to the power supply every time.
For machines with insufficient internal power or where tapping into the espresso machine’s power is undesirable, the BrewBeacon can be powered via its Micro-USB port from an external +5 V DC USB power supply.
When powered externally, the BrewBeacon does not draw current from the espresso machine's power rails.
For machines that do not supply enough power on the internal rails, or if it is for some reason undesirable to tap into the espresso machine’s power supply, Cropster BrewBeacon can be powered via its Micro-USB port from an external +5 V DC USB power supply. When Cropster BrewBeacon is supplied externally, no current is being drawn from the espresso machine’s power rails.
You can use a standard micro-USB phone charger or similar adapter.
The USB cable should have a non-metallic connector housing and be long enough to reach a nearby socket.
2. Placing the BrewBeacon
Choose a suitable location for the BrewBeacon inside the espresso machine.
The ideal location is:
- Close to the machine’s processor/control unit.
- Away from heating elements, hot metal parts, and water.
- With ample space to run cables and close the espresso machine’s housing.
The BrewBeacon features built-in magnets, allowing it to be securely attached to metal backplates within the espresso machine for a tidy and organized installation.
If no alternative placement is available, you may position the device flat inside the machine.
3. Connecting the cables to the BrewBeacon
- Identify the Solenoid Sensor cable and the Flow Meter connection wire connected to Group 1 (closest to the left side of the espresso machine).
- Run the two cables towards the position where you will mount the Cropster BrewBeacon. Pay attention to running the cables along other wiring in the machine and away from hot surfaces.
- Loosely fasten the cables to the machine or other wiring in a few locations with cable ties.
- Pull the cables towards the BrewBeacon, leaving a little slack.
- Connect the two cables to the BrewBeacon’s Group Input 1.
- Use a cable tie to neatly tie together excess cable length close to the BrewBeacon.
- Repeat these steps for the other brew groups, one after another, until all cables are securely connected.
4. Double-checking the installation
Before finalizing the installation, thoroughly check all connections, wiring, and components related to the Cropster BrewBeacon. Ensure the following:
- Solenoid Sensors are properly closed and are not touching hot metal parts.
- Flow Meter Connectors are the correct type (polarity markings on flow meters and connectors match) and are firmly connected.
- The Flow Meter connectors of the machine have been securely reattached.
- All Cropster BrewBeacon cables are firmly connected and routed along machine wiring and are not touching hot metal parts.
- The cables from each group’s Solenoid Sensor and Flow meter Connector are pairwise connected to the same Cropster BrewBeacon Input Group.
- Cropster BrewBeacon is mounted in a dry place and not exposed to direct heat.
5. Verifying power supply
Please take care and refrain from making contact with any components while the machine is powered on.
- Connect the espresso machine’s power supply. If using, connect the Cropster BrewBeacon external USB power supply.
- Turn on the espresso machine.
- Verify that the BrewBeacon LED light is continuously ON.
- Verify that BrewBeacon's network comes on by checking for available WiFi networks (on your phone or other device). You should notice a network called BrewBeacon XXXXXX (with the last 6 characters being the device’s ID).
- Turn the espresso machine back off, and disconnect the power supply.
- If the LED light is continuously on and you see the BrewBeacon's network, continue closing the espresso machine.
6. Closing the espresso machine
Turn off and disconnect the machine from the power supply before proceeding.
- Refer to the manufacturer's espresso machine maintenance manual to close the machine, ensuring not to clamp any Cropster BrewBeacon cables.
- Connect the espresso machine's power supply and, if applicable, the external USB power supply for the BrewBeacon.
If you are uncertain about the installation, please contact our Customer Support Team. Please attach installation photos to help us assess the issue.
If you are finished with the hardware installation, please continue with Part 2.
FAQs
I installed the BrewBeacon, but my shots aren't appearing. What should I do?
The first shots must contain coffee to register data; shots without coffee will not produce any data. Flushes will be recorded but won't appear until the first shot with coffee is pulled. Calibration may take up to 24 hours.
Contacting Customer Support
Submit a ticket with pictures and a detailed issue description for our Customer Support Team to assist you.
If you have further questions, feedback, or concerns, please submit a support ticket directly from support.cropster.com.