Alternative connection options
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      PT-100/PT-1000 (RTD type temperature sensors) - Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup

      This manual covers hardware connection, software installation and settings of Cropster’s Roasting Intelligence for PT-100/PT-1000 type RTD sensors. 

      Please note: The Phidget 1046 device is deprecated and is no longer sold in the Cropster store. Instead, it has been replaced by the recommended VINT Hub + TMP1200 setup.

      Therefore, this manual is only relevant for those who already use the Phidget 1046 setup.

      Specifications

      Requirements

      • RTD sensors type PT-100 or PT-1000
      • Cropster Connector (=Phidget 1046)

      The Cropster Connector from our online shop comes with resistors built in.

      If you purchase the Phidget 1046 from Phidgets.com directly, you will have to solder resistors to the sensor wire ends yourself to create a Wheatstone bridge. 

      Setup options

      You cannot splice the probe cables to use for parallel readouts (e.g. digital readout on the roasting machine and input for Roasting Intelligence data bridge will not work).


      Depending on your setup and the type of probes, there are two connection options: 

      1. Direct connection
      2. Dual probe connection

      Direct connection


      A direct connection applies when adding new probes independently from the roaster's readout. The newly added probe can be connected directly to the Cropster Connector. 

      Dual connection

      A dual connection applies when the roaster is equipped with a dual probe. A dual probe is a probe with two sensors inside the hull and two pairs of wires that allow a simultaneous connection to Cropster and the roaster's readout.

      Cropster Connector installation

       

      Disconnect the USB cable from the Cropster Connector and turn off your roast machine during the hardware installation.

      1. Follow the probe cable from the tip of the probe to its end where the wires appear.
        In the case of dual probes, take the free end that is not connected to the roaster.
      2. Connect two leads of the temperature wires to any Cropster Connector channel with the provided screwdriver.
        On the Connector, there are four channels for 4 temperature readouts: 0, 1, 2, 3. Each channel has four terminals. To connect the probe, always use the inner two terminals, marked with + and -.
      3. Confirm your PT-100/PT-1000 RTD probe has more than two wires, please use only one red and one white wire.
      4. Leave all other cables disconnected and isolate them. 
      5. Connect the Cropster Connector via the provided USB cable to your computer and proceed with the software setup.

      Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup

      Installing the Roasting Intelligence (RI) software

      1. Download RI.

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

      3. Download the Phidget driver.
      4. Double-click the Cropster icon on your desktop to access RI.
      5. Double-click the Cropster icon on your desktop to access Roasting Intelligence (RI).
      6. Click the green Login with the browser button.
        💡 Select the "Remember me on this device" option to save your login credentials for future access.

        Screenshot 2025-03-26 at 12.10.43

      7. You will be directed to the C-sar browser. 
        Screenshot 2025-03-26 at 11.46.59
      8. Enter your Username* and Password* and click the green Sign in with password button.
        💡        You need to use the same credentials that you use to access the online platform C-sar.

      Check out the Release notes for every version of RI5 to stay updated on the latest features and improvements. You can access the Release notes directly in RI by clicking on Help > Release Notes.

       

      Establishing a connection to the machine

      The screenshots included below are intended as visual references and may differ slightly from what you experience, especially in the Machine > Controls tab.


      Before you begin configuring your roast machine, ensure that you have added it via the online platform C-sar. 

      1. Click Preferences > Machine > Configuration to access the Preferences screen. 
      2. Select the Machine by clicking on the dropdown in the Roasting Machine section. 
      3. Navigate to the Connector setup section. Choose your connector from the available options by clicking the +Add connector button. 
      4. You need to select the Resistance temperature detectors (Pt100/Pt1000 RTDs) from the dropdown. 
      5. Click Select. 
        Screenshot 2025-04-04 at 14.05.37

      6. Navigate to the Machine > Measurements tab. All supported measurements will be displayed here.  To activate the measurements, simply click the green toggle button.

      7. Select the Resistance temperature detectors (Pt100/Pt1000 RTDs) from the dropdown at each measurement.
        💡 Make your measurement readouts more compact. Choose the size of your measurement readouts by selecting either the Small or Large view for display.
      8. Select the Channel.
        💡The channel refers to the ports on the Cropster Connector. If the probe wires are connected to port 1, select 1 under the channel. 
      9. Select the Type of the RTD sensors.
      10. (Optional) Click the toggle button to turn on (or off) the Rate of Rise (RoR) curve for your measurements.
        📚 Learn how to set the RoR within the RI.
      11. Change the order of the measurements by using the  Drag and Drop icon and move it into position.
        💡You can personalize the appearance of each measurement by selecting the colored dots located on the right side of the screen.
      12. Click Save to finalize the changes. 
        Screenshot 2025-03-31 at 13.06.25
        13. 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.
      Screenshot 2025-03-31 at 13.05.11-1

      📚 Learn more about the Roasting Intelligence (RI) Preferences. 

      Troubleshooting

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

      • Is the Cropster Connector connected to the computer? 
      • Is the Phidgets driver installed?
      • Mac only: has the Phidgets driver been enabled in the Mac's Security & Privacy settings?

      If Roasting Intelligence shows negative temperature readings you will have to swap the wires on the board from “G” to “0” (or 1, 2, 3) and the other way round.

      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.