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      Besca BSC manual & Bee - Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup

      This manual covers the connection of Besca BSC manual & Bee models equipped with a serial port to Cropster's Roasting Intelligence.

       

      The following article and its screenshots refer to the Roasting Intelligence (RI5). 

      In case you previously used the Roasting Intelligence (RI4) we kindly invite you to check the newly improved features of RI5. 

      To upgrade to RI5, please download the Roasting Intelligence (RI5).

       

      Specifications

      Requirements

      • USB cable
      • Driver for the USB serial converter

      Note: The driver may be already be pre-installed with your operating system.

      Supported measurements

      • Bean temperature
      • Exhaust temperature

      Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup

      1. Download the Roasting Intelligence from https://download.cropster.com/
      2. The Cropster installer leads you through all the installation steps.
      3. Open the RI by double-clicking the Cropster icon on the desktop
      4. Enter your username and password.
        The user name is the email address your Cropster invitation has been sent to and use the password you've generated when accepting the invitation.
      5. Check the Remember credentials box if you want to be able to run the RI offline.
      6. Click the Login button.
        general (2)

      Establishing a connection to the machine

          1. If you are setting up RI for the first time, click the Select machine button in the banner at the top or click Gear > Configuration bottom left to access the machine preferences screen. Screenshot 2024-01-15 at 11.56.28
          2. Select the Roasting machine you would like to connect from the drop down menu (e.g. Besca)
            Note: If the machine is not in the list you can add via the online platform.
          3. After selecting the machine all supported measurements will load. Change the order of the measurements by using the drag and drop icon and moving it into position.
            general
          4. Switch on the measurements you would like to enable and select Besca Manual PIDs from the drop down. Repeat this step for all measurements you would like to enable.  Screenshot 2024-01-19 at 11.10.38

          5. Click on the gear () icon to open the PID Settings. 
            • Select the Serial port that refers to the connection of the machine:
              Windows: Choose the COMx option that refers to the connection to the roaster.

              Mac: Choose the USBx option that refers to the connection to the roaster.

          6. Select the Besca's Version from the drop-down menu:

            • V1: for Besca BSC machines built before September 2019
              Screenshot 2024-01-19 at 11.11.26
            • V2: for Besca BSC machines built from September 2019 onwards & Bee machines built March 2022 onwards.
              Screenshot 2024-01-19 at 11.11.43
            • Bee: for Besca Bee machines built before March 2022.
              Screenshot 2024-01-19 at 11.11.35
          7. Click OK, and then click Save to confirm the changes.

       

      RI will automatically restart after saving the changes. If the setup was successful you will be able to see temperature values on the right-hand side of the RI screen, after the restart.Screenshot 2024-01-19 at 11.10.48

      If you have selected a serial port from the RI, and you receive Sources connected from the bottom-right corner of the roasting application, but you can't see live temperature readouts, you may not have selected the serial port referring to the roast machine's connection.

      Learn more about how to customize your RI user preferences.

      Troubleshooting

      If the RI indicates No source connected and/or you cannot see any measurements, please check the following: 

      • Is the roast machine connected to the computer? 
      • Have you downloaded the driver for the USB serial converter?
      • Is the correct serial port within the RI selected?

      Driver for the USB serial converter

      If you cannot select the correct serial port within the RI's Serial port field, your computer may not have the appropriate driver needed to recognize the serial converter's physical connection.

      Please reach out to support.cropster.com, and attach the following information in relevance to the USB serial converter used:

      • Brand, and model

      • Serial number

      • Picture of the serial converter

      • RI log files

      A Cropster representative will assess the information, and assist in providing the required driver for the USB serial converter used.

      For further assistance, please create a support ticket by clicking the Support button in the left lower corner of the app. A Cropster support rep will get in touch with you.

      Congratulations! You have successfully set up the Cropster Roasting Intelligence!

      Check out the Roasting Intelligence (RI5) - Getting Started manual and enjoy tracking your first roasts! More manuals and videos can be found on help.cropster.com.