u/mchrispen

I had a long conversation with the Sabco/BrewMagic former owner. I won't post his contact information or anything, so please don't ask. He's been a good friend over the years. I've written quite a bit about about the BrewMagic system over the years, but please don't read this as a promotion for my blog.

Because many people have reached out to me about the BrewMagic software and license, he generously gave me the decoder and permission to post it. The license is tied directly to the PLC hardware, and the error code can be entered into the widget on my blog post below to recover the license key. This is usually caused by the coin battery on the mainboard failing. It's a common battery and easy to replace, but it powers the system clock and SRAM where the actual license lives, and when it fails, that RAM is lost. There is a widget on the post that will allow you to decode the error into a license.

Of course, I make no warranties or guarantees on the license generator, but I hope this helps people keep on. The V350 is both a durable and quality system and a sometimes frustrating system that takes reps to understand and master.

I'll find a place to share the digital versions of the manuals, but I'm not sure they are relevant to the last version of the V350.

What I don't cover is that the PLC is a Unitronics Vision 350 (3.5" QVGA display, integrated I/O) running off a 24V DC power supply. Anyone can download Unitronics' UniVision software and, with some skill, build their own interface and replace the Sabco programming. There are also options to drop in a Raspberry Pi with PID controls and an LCD, or an Auber to replace the Unitronics. Really, the only elements that need to be controlled are the RIMS loop, the 2 PID Thermoprobes, the power to the pump (on/off), and the "on" signal to the gas valve. The emergency button is not wired into the PLC and simply shuts down power to the RIMS/Pump system and switches off the gas valve. The only real trick would be programming the heat algorithm for cycling the RIMS element using the MLT out thermoprobe versus the post RIMS thermoprobe to prevent scorching, and having a reasonable heating ramp profile. I don't need to do this, so... Otherwise, the rest of the plumbing, gas, RIMS, and pump are all serviceable with off-the-shelf parts. Remember, the circulation rate is controlled by the distributed manual valves, same on the gas side - manual fire assist and heating, and replaceable gas burners, etc.

https://accidentalis.com/refurbishing-a-sabco-brewmagic-v350/

Edit: If you navigate through my header links to the Sabco V350 Resources tab, there is now a link to the Google Drive share hosting the digital versions of the Guides and Manuals.

Accidentalis.com is back and active, with a much more chemistry- and practical-based approach to making beer, mead, and cider. I don't intend to spam this sub with articles, but I'm really interested in a very technical approach to the issues you want answers to. For example, I am researching a long-form article about the difference between modern malts and the changes needed to replicate old historic recipes and even homebrew classics, like Brewing Classic Styles - that informed many of successful homebrewers. It's aging - malt has changed dramatically in the roughly 20 years.

I was very active in the past, and after a hiatus, I've found a new career leading into my retirement years. I'm rebuilding my brewery in a new location, focusing on consistency and lab-based troubleshooting, based on my experience running a commercial meadery through COVID and supply chain challenges. It's a reset and a new direction. I'm even developing some software (mead-focused) that nobody would ever need! :)

So, what do you want me to research and expound upon? Do I need more content on introductory brewing topics? Or do you want the deep, deep dive into technical stuff that may not have a huge impact on homebrewing at scale, but I believe understanding the science leads to better brews? I'm not making authoritative claims - you do what works for you, but the chemistry is pretty well set these days!

u/chino-brews I hope this is ok! Miss our convos!