FIRMWARE V23.
IKAWA strive to improve our product and customers’ experience. We can do this in many ways – and the firmware updates and new features within App 2.5 are a good example.
As part of our recent App update to IKAWA Pro 2.5 we have made an update to the firmware of the Sample Roaster, launching Firmware V23.
We recommend that ALL users of IKAWA Sample Roasters update to the V23 firmware. Including people who found challenges with the V21 version (more below).
Firmware is software that makes hardware work. In this case, it is responsible for allowing the app to communicate with the roaster, and for the hardware devices in the roaster to communicate with each other and do what they are supposed to do.
K E Y F E A T U R E S
1. Change of settings to enable improved Rate of Rise curve
2. Options for Open Loop or Closed Loop Fan Control
3. Time Calibration
To install the firmware, simply download the IKAWA Pro app 2.5 from iTunes or Google Play Store and follow the instructions that appear when you connect to your roaster.
Please make sure you are clear about the voltage of your roaster before starting the update, and that your iPad / iPhone has a good connection to your roaster. The update will take a couple of minutes.
If you opt not to update the firmware the first time you connect, you can do so later.
Simply follow these steps:
1. Connect to your roaster with the app
2. Select Settings within the IKAWA Pro App
3. Under ‘Options’ select ‘Update roaster firmware’
4. Return to the IKAWA app and follow the steps.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
O P E N A N D C L O S E D
L O O P F A N C O N T R O L
When we introduced Firmware V21 in February 2018, it included an update for PID control of the fan speed. This meant that the fan was programmed according to an absolute number of rotations, rather than % of max power – so regardless of tolerance on fan construction, it will always spin at the same speed.
There are some IKAWA roasters that did not operate perfectly in this mode, so we have introduced some additional options in settings to enable IKAWA users have the new firmware, and address the fan issues they were having with V21 firmware.
If after updating your IKAWA onto the V23 firmware, your roaster makes a sound like this please the follow these steps:
1. Connect to your roaster with the app
2. Select Settings within the IKAWA Pro App
3. Under ‘Roaster Control Settings’ section, select ‘Set open-loop Fan Control’
4. Return to the IKAWA app as the Settings update, then try using the roaster again. You should find the fan now runs smoothly.
By selecting this setting, the power application to the fan motor controlled to enable a smooth acceleration of the fan speed which should overcome the issue you have experienced. If you do experience any further issues, please contact support@ikawacoffee.com and we’ll be happy to help.
TIME CALIBRATION
IKAWA roasters have an internal timer within the processing chip of the Printed Circuit Board. We have recently observed that from roaster to roaster the internal timers can vary by a couple of seconds, so have developed a firmware fix to make all roasters’ internal timer to be exactly correct.
It works by recording the time the chip registers, and the time the app measures, and calculates the difference (which tends to be fractions of seconds) – then re-calibrates the internal timer to be more accurate.
After completing your first roast on the new firmware, the recalibration will happen and the roaster will reboot very briefly, and will be ready to use again. This function will run in the background and ensure the roasters timer is always accurate.
While you will probably not notice any difference in your roasts, we wanted to share this information as we strive to make marginal improvements through software updates.
If after the firmware update you would like to revert your roaster’s internal clock to be as it was before, rather than the calibrated timing, you can do this through the following steps:
1. Connect to your roaster with the app
2. Select Settings within the IKAWA Pro App
3. Under ‘Roaster Control Settings’ section, select ‘Disable time calibration’
4. Return to the IKAWA app as the Settings update.
If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact support@ikawacoffee.com and we’ll be happy to help.
