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TC4 Serial Setup

Rostoc has experimental support for machines that send roast data over USB serial using the TC4 text format — a format common on Arduino/TC4 logging boards and on several factory-fitted control panels. Catalog entries on this path include Arc 800 and Arc S (standard and RTD), HB roasters, the Hottop TC4 variant, and Kaleido Legacy.

Experimental support means the setup is addable and readable, but you should test it before relying on it for production logging.

What you need

Section titled “What you need”
  • A data-capable USB cable between the machine (or TC4 board) and the computer.
  • On Windows, the USB-to-serial driver (usually CP210x or FTDI) if the operating system does not show a COM port.
  • Other roasting software closed — only one application can hold a serial port at a time.

Add the machine

Section titled “Add the machine”
  1. Connect the machine over USB and power it on.
  2. Open Settings -> Machines in Rostoc.
  3. Click Add Machine and search for your brand, or for the TC4-style entry that matches your board.
  4. Select the exact catalog entry. Serial settings come pre-filled from the catalog.
  5. Choose the serial port the machine appears on. The port list shows each port’s description and manufacturer, so you can tell the board apart from other serial devices.
  6. Confirm the support status is Experimental.
  7. Run Test Connection.

Validate the first roast

Section titled “Validate the first roast”

Run a short validation roast before production use:

  • bean temperature and environmental temperature move in the expected direction and match the machine or board display
  • ambient temperature, when your entry exposes it, appears with the right label
  • the saved Batch reopens with the same stream labels and values

What Rostoc reads

Section titled “What Rostoc reads”

TC4-format entries typically read bean temperature and environmental temperature; some entries add an ambient temperature channel. The model page in the machine catalog lists the exact streams for your entry.

Rostoc does not send control commands over this path.

Troubleshooting

Section titled “Troubleshooting”
  • No COM port appears — install the USB-to-serial driver and try another data-capable cable or USB port.
  • The port is there but no data arrives — confirm the machine or board is in its data-output mode and fully started; some boards send data only once a roast or logging mode is active.
  • Values are garbled or jump around — confirm the selected catalog entry matches your board; a different baud rate produces unreadable data.
  • Another app can read the board but Rostoc cannot — close the other app; only one application can hold the serial port.

See Troubleshooting Connections for general USB and serial checks.

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