This manual covers the connection of a Yoshan/Dongyi roast machine to Cropster's Roasting Intelligence.
This roast machine is currently in the Beta stage of development at Cropster.
To access this integration, please register for beta testing by completing the form provided here.
Beta testing involves the evaluation of new features by a limited group of users to uncover potential minor issues that may not be apparent during internal testing.
Your feedback is crucial in helping us improve the functionality of our product. Please let us know in case you come across any unexpected behavior.
We will be happy to assist in resolving any issues you may encounter or propose alternative connection options.
Specifications
Requirements
- USB cable
- Driver for the USB serial converter:
- Windows: CP210x Universal Windows Driver
- Mac: Mac OSX VCP Driver
Supported measurements
- Bean temperature
- Exhaust temperature
Setting up a connection
Via Bluetooth
- Access your computer's Bluetooth interface.
- On Mac: Go to Apple icon > System preferences > Bluetooth.
- On Windows: Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
- Turn on Bluetooth, and connect to the device HC-0X (e.g. HC-06, HC-02).
- Input the match code 1234.
- Proceed with the Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup.
Some computers may not be compatible with a Bluetooth connection, and alternatively, connect via data cable.
Via data cable
- Turn on the power on the roast machine.
- Plug the data cable into the roast machine's communication port.
- Connect the cable to the computer's USB port.
- Proceed with the Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup.
Roasting Intelligence (RI) Setup
Installing the Roasting Intelligence (RI) software
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Download RI.
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Complete the installation process by following the steps provided.
- Double-click the Cropster icon on your desktop to access RI.
- Click the green Login with the browser button.
💡 Select the "Remember me on this device" option to save your login credentials for future access. - You will be directed to the C-sar browser.
- 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 images displayed below are meant to serve as reference examples; however, they may differ slightly from what you will see on your screen.
Before you begin configuring your roast machine, ensure that you have added it via the online platform C-sar.
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Click
Preferences > Machine > Configuration at the bottom left to access the Preferences screen.
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To choose the Roast machine, click on the dropdown menu in the Machine section.
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By clicking on the + Add connector option, you can choose your connector from the available options in the dropdown list.
- You need to select Generic Modbus over serial from the dropdown.
- Click Select to add the connector.
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Navigate to the Machine > Measurements tab. All supported measurements will be displayed.
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To activate the measurements, simply click the green toggle button.
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Switch on the measurements you would like to enable and select Generic modbus over serial port 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. -
Change the order of the measurements by using the
Drag and Drop icon and move it into position.
- 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 settings based on the manufacturing year as shown below:💡 Choose Celsius or Fahrenheit according to the temperature unit displayed on the machine's temperature readouts.
Operation system Serial port Windows COMx Mac USBx
Before May 2017
After May 2017 - Leave the empty fields as they are.
- Click OK.
- 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.

📚 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 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?
Alternative configuration
If you are receiving Sources connected, and you have selected the Serial port referring to the connection of the roast machine, but you do not have any temperature measurements, try the following settings:
- Navigate to
Preferences > Machine > Configuration.
- Verify the Roast machine you would like to connect from the dropdown menu (e.g. Yoshan YS-10), is still selected.
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By clicking on the + Add connector option, you can choose your connector from the available options in the dropdown list.
- You need to select Generic Modbus over serial from the dropdown.
- Click Select to add the connector.
-
Navigate to the Machine > Measurements tab. All supported measurements will be displayed.
-
To activate the measurements, simply click the green toggle button.
-
Switch on the measurements you would like to enable and select Generic modbus over serial port 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. -
Change the order of the measurements by using the
Drag and Drop icon and move it into position.
- 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 settings based on the manufacturing year as shown below:
- 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.
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Temperature unit: Choose Celsius or Fahrenheit according to the temperature unit displayed from the machine's temperature readouts.
- Serial port:
- Leave the empty fields as they are.
- Click OK.
- Click Save to finalize the changes.
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.
The temperature decimal is in the incorrect location or other connection issues
To solve these issues, you need to download the custom version of Roasting Intelligence (RI) depending on your computer's Operating System here.
If you are utilizing a custom version of Roasting Intelligence (RI), please take a moment to sign up via this form.
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.