What is PiKiln?

PiKiln is an open source web based kiln controller built to run on a Raspberry Pi.

This project is not complete just yet, but feedback and contributors are welcome.

Quick Setup

Download this Pre-Configured ISO for Raspbian with PiKiln and all the dependancies installed.

(There would be a link here if this project were finished)

Write the ISO to your MicroSD card and insert it into your Raspberry Pi

I prefer to use Win32DiskImager on Windows to write the image:

https://sourceforge.net/projects/win32diskimager/

Plug your Raspberry Pi in and connect to your Wifi network.

Open terminal and run this command: hostname -I

Enter that IP address in your web browser on your phone or computer to access your PiKiln

Screenshots

Manual Installation

Requirements

• Software
  • Python 3.3+
  • pip
  • Flask
  • git
• Hardware
  • Raspberry Pi 3B or later
  • Class 10 MicroSD card 16GB or more
  • Adafruit MAX31855 Module
  • High Temperature K Type Thermocouple Sensor for Ceramic Kiln Furnace
  • Two 40 Amp Solid State Relays
  • 100A 50ma Non Invasive Current Sensor
  • ADC ADS1115 Module
  • Electric Kiln

Software Setup

Install NOOBS or latest Raspbian ISO and write to MicroSD card

https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/

I prefer to use Win32DiskImager on Windows to write the image:

https://sourceforge.net/projects/win32diskimager/

After the image is written to the MicroSD card eject it and insert it into the Raspberry Pi. Plug in the Raspberry Pi and wait for the installation to complete.

Update to latest version:

Connect your Raspberry Pi to your Wifi network

Open Terminal and run these commands to update your Raspberry Pi:

sudo apt-get update 
sudo apt-get upgrade -y

Reboot your Raspberry Pi

sudo reboot

Configure Raspberry Pi

We need to change some settings on the Raspberry Pi

Go to:

• Home > Settings > Raspberry Pi Configuration

Get rid of black overscan edges

• System > Overscan = Disable

Enable SSH & VNC for remote access

• Interfaces > SSH = Enable
• Interfaces > VNC = Enable

Enable SPI, I2C, Serial Port, Serial Console, 1-Wire, and GPIO for sensors

• Interfaces > SPI = Enable
• Interfaces > I2C = Enable
• Interfaces > Serial Port = Enable
• Interfaces > Serial Console = Enable
• Interfaces > 1-Wire = Enable
• Interfaces > GPIO = Enable

Install Dependencies

Install PIP, Flask, and Git

sudo apt-get install python-pip -y
sudo pip install flask -y
sudo pip install pytz
sudo apt-get install git -y

Download latest release of PiKiln

git clone https://github.com/CurlyTaleGamesLLC/PiKiln.git ~/PiKiln

Start Up And Settings

Add Flask Server to Startup

sudo nano /etc/rc.local

Scroll down, and just before the exit 0 line, enter the following:

python /home/pi/PiKiln/app.py &

You need the & at the end.

Disable screen sleeping - Optional, but handy

sudo nano /etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf

Look for the line starts “xserver-command” under “[Seat:*]” section and modify as below:

xserver-command=X -s 0 -dpms

Features to be developed in the future

• Delayed Start
• Temperature Email Notification - triggered via firing schedule
• GPIO output for venting with a fan - triggered via firing schedule
• Javascript On Screen Keyboard for Raspberry Pi Touchscreen
• Screen Saver

External Libraries

This project makes use of the following libraries:

Adafruit MAX31856 Library

https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_CircuitPython_MAX31855

https://github.com/johnrbnsn/Adafruit_Python_MAX31856

Simple PID Controller

https://pypi.org/project/simple-pid/

References

This project was written from scratch, however I did reference jbruce's Kiln Controller

https://github.com/jbruce12000/kiln-controller

Which began as a fork of Apollo-ng's picoReflow

https://github.com/apollo-ng/picoReflow