San Franciscan with Watlow EZ-ZONE Controller (via USB) - Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup

This manual covers the connection of the San Franciscan roast machine with (Watlow controls) via USB, to Cropster's Roasting Intelligence.

• Specifications
• Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup
  • Installing the Roasting Intelligence (RI) software
  • Establishing a connection to the machine
• Troubleshooting

Specifications

Requirements

• USB cable
• VCP driver  (FTDI) 
  • Windows 11
  • Windows 10

• • MacOS X 10.9 to 10.14

Supported measurements

• Bean temperature
• Exhaust temperature
• Environmental temperature
• Gas control (Beta)

Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup

Installing the Roasting Intelligence (RI) software

1. Download the Roasting Intelligence from:
   https://download.cropster.com/ - for San Franciscan roast machines without a Cropster switch.
   https://download-beta.cropster.com/ - for San Franciscan roast machines with a Cropster switch.
2. Complete the installation process by following the steps provided.
3. Double-click the Cropster icon on your desktop to access RI.
4. Click the green Login with the browser button.
   💡 Select the "Remember me on this device" option to save your login credentials for future access.
   
   
5. You will be directed to the C-sar browser. 
   
6. 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.

Establishing a connection to the machine

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

1. Click Preferences > Machine > Configuration bottom left to access the Preferences screen. 

2. To choose the Roast machine, click on the dropdown menu in the Machine section.

3. By clicking on the + Add connector option, you can choose your connector from the available options in the dropdown list.

4. You need to select San Franciscan PID (Watlow EZ-ZONE) from the dropdown. 
5. Click Select to add the connector.
   

6. Navigate to the Machine > Measurements tab. All supported measurements will be displayed.

7. To activate the measurements, simply click the green toggle button.

8. Switch on the measurements you would like to enable and select San Franciscan PID (Watlow EZ-ZONE) from the dropdown. 
   💡 Make your measurement readouts more compact. Choose the size of your measurement readouts by selecting either the Small or Large view for display.

9. Change the order of the measurements by using the  Drag and Drop icon and move it into position.
   

10. Navigate back to the Machine > Configuration tab and click on the Gear icon in the Connector setup section next to the previously added connector to open and configure more PID settings.
11. Select the Serial port:
    • Windows: COMx
    • Max: USBx
12. Click OK.
13. 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?
• On MacOS: try installing the beta VCP driver. MacOS X10.15 to MacOS 11 (this is a Beta driver release and the installer should be run from the /Applications folder on your machine)

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.