Blue King - Roasting Intelligence (RI) setup

This manual explains how to connect a Blue King roast machine to Cropster's Roasting Intelligence

• Specifications
• Setting up a connection
• Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup
  
  • Installing the Roasting Intelligence (RI) software

• • Establishing connection to the machine

Specifications

Requirements

• USB cable
• Driver for the USB serial converter:
  • WCH driver:
    
    • Windows 
    • Mac  
    • Linux 

Click here for the WCH driver installation guide.

• • Or SiLabs CP210x driver
    • Windows
    • MacOS X 10.11+
      
      

Supported measurements

• Bean temperature
• Exhaust temperature

Setting up a connection

Via data cable 

1. Plug the data cable into the communication port of the machine
2. Connect the cable to the USB port of the computer.

Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup

Installing the Roasting Intelligence (RI) software

1. Download RI.

2. Complete the installation process by following the steps provided.

3. Double-click the Cropster icon on your desktop to access RI.

4. Enter your username and password.
   Use the same login information that you use to access the online platform C-sar.

5. Click the Login button.

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 Preferences > Machine > Configuration bottom left to access the Preferences screen. 
   📚 Learn how to use the keyboard shortcuts in RI.
2. To choose the Roast machine, click on the dropdown menu in the Machine section. 
   

   💡 After selecting the machine from the dropdown menu, the roast machine settings may automatically be filled in. You have the flexibility to edit these settings at any time to ensure they align with the specifications of your roasting machine. 

   📚 Learn how to add a new roast machine. 
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.
4. Switch on the measurements you would like to enable and select Generic Modbus over serial port from the dropdown for the measurements.
   💡 Make your measurement readouts more compact. Choose the size of your measurement readouts by selecting either the Small or Large view for display.
   
5. Click on the Gear icon to open the PID settings.  
6. Copy the settings as shown in the screenshot below, and select the Serial port, and Temperature unit:
   • Serial port:
     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.
   • Temperature unit: Choose Celsius or Fahrenheit according to the temperature unit displayed from the machine's temperature readouts.
     
7. Click OK.
8. Click Save to finalize  the changes.

After saving the changes, RI will automatically restart. If the setup was successful, you will see the temperature values displayed on the right-hand side of the RI screen following the restart.

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?
• Are the settings copied correctly?

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.