Brewing S03E03: Kegland RAPT Pill DIY Kit, installing a wireless charging coil.
Channel: Mountain Parameters
Date: 08/01/2024

After they introduced the RAPT Pill digital hydrometer, Kegland created a wireless charging kit for this product. Kegland did an installation tutorial that is essential to watch with instructions on how to install it. However, subsequent releases of the coil/weight kits that we received from our Canadian distributor had a slightly different form factor for the foam double sided adhesive spacers, which resulted in us installing them wrong on the first attempt. After we had installed about 20 of the kits, we found a few other helpful tweaks that is worth sharing with the home brewing community that may be contemplating the purchase of a kit and then tackling this DIY project.

This tutorial is intended to be an enhancement to the original Kegland video, which you must watch as a pre-requisite to installing one of these coil kits. The link to this is included in the video.

Post Installation Instructions (this is the procedure you follow when you have installed your wireless charging : Place the pill upright on your wireless charger base. Ensure the red LED light turns on, which indicates the unit is charging (it may start by flashing, and then go solid red). Charge  for 24 hours (even if the green LED comes on solid, the first charge needs to last for at least 24 hours to allow the internal battery to properly calibrate).
Go to Kegland’s website and download the Pill user manual (you can also scan the QR code on the package):

Connecting to the RAPT Portal: With the non-wireless version of the Pill, you need to be plugged into USB-C in order to access the Pill via your phone, tablet or computer. With this version, when it is on your wireless charger base, the Pill shows up when it is on the charging base (because the USB-C connection is active when on the charging base). It will be listed as “RAPT Pill XXXX” (the 4 digits are the last 4 digits of the Pill’s MAC address).  In your open WiFi settings on your device, connect to the Pill using the password “kegland1”. Use the user manual for the complete list of steps you need to follow.

Manual for RAPT Pill (standard version with no wireless charging function):
https://www.kegland.com.au/cdn/shop/files/KL20596_-_RAPT_Pill_Hydrometer_and_Thermometer_Quick_Start_Guide.pdf?v=12726582807756591403

Kegland tutorial on installing weights and coil:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Syl6ATpHqBc

Our order form for RAPT Pill and the coil/weight kit:
https://forms.gle/1jrM1ktAzaHf76Bd9

Timeline:
00:00 Introduction
00:53 Extra tools required
02:00 Adding the new weights
03:00 Adding the double sided sticky spacers
06:00 Adding the coil
10:00 Tip for not bending the coil ring by using a Styrofoam support
11:00 Re-inserting the battery: procedure for correct polarity
13:45 Coil orientation and charger base types
14:58 Lubricating the O-Rings
18:34 Instructions: charging, and connecting to the RAPT portal