Author Topic: Smokin-It Temperature Contoller Bypass  (Read 97055 times)

Wik

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 89
Re: Smokin-It Temperature Contoller Bypass
« Reply #15 on: January 01, 2014, 05:41:39 PM »
I'm so glad I changed the cords.  I did a test with the new cord and old cord laying outside for a an hour.  Black one I could wave around like a stick.  New yellow one remained nice and flexible.  Granted changing the Aubers cord is a bit more work due to the soldering involved, but it was worth it for me.
Chad from Moorhead, MN
Proud #3 Owner

DivotMaker

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10988
  • Model 1, 2D conversion, and 3D!
Re: Smokin-It Temperature Contoller Bypass
« Reply #16 on: January 01, 2014, 06:24:26 PM »
I'm so glad I changed the cords.  I did a test with the new cord and old cord laying outside for a an hour.  Black one I could wave around like a stick.  New yellow one remained nice and flexible.  Granted changing the Aubers cord is a bit more work due to the soldering involved, but it was worth it for me.

Yeah Wik, I don't think the stock cord is "Arctic-Certified!"  LOL!!  You guys in the Great White North definitely need stuff that's "freeze-proof!" 

My wife's from Minnesota, so I know what you're going through! ;)
Tony from NW Arkansas
"Official Smokin-It Test Pilot"
Smokin-It Model 1, 2D conversion, and 3D
Auber PID, NexGrill 896 6-burner, CharBroil Big Easy, Anova Precision Cooker w/WiFi
Wife, Son and One REALLY Big Dog!

benjammn

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 471
  • Just smoke it!
    • Kale's Collision
Re: Smokin-It Temperature Contoller Bypass
« Reply #17 on: January 02, 2014, 02:33:38 AM »
Those alternative cords are more likely to have higher levels of silicone in them instead of PVC, thus keeping them more flexible. But they might not have the overall resistance of wear over time. Just me 2 cents. But the should be fine.
Ben in Chandler, AZ
Proud owner of #2

Wik

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 89
Re: Smokin-It Temperature Contoller Bypass
« Reply #18 on: January 02, 2014, 08:03:03 AM »
Your probably right as even the outer shell is thinner than similar ones I had bought in the past.  However I'm thinking the original would have cracked over time if I tried to move or bend it when below zero.

One thing I should add is make sure you use at least 14 gauge cord as 16 is too light and would likely overheat.  My original cord was 14 gauge so that is what I replaced it with.
Chad from Moorhead, MN
Proud #3 Owner

rickne

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 203
Re: Smokin-It Temperature Contoller Bypass
« Reply #19 on: January 02, 2014, 08:40:27 AM »
great pictures and great idea.  I think I will tackle this project...  but not until summer. 
Rick  --  The Cornhusker State
Model #3 Jack Daniels Edition (W/ Cart)
Toggle Switch Bypass, Cold weather Cord, Auber PID

cwshiles

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 93
  • Get out there and Smoke it!
Re: Smokin-It Temperature Contoller Bypass
« Reply #20 on: January 02, 2014, 05:46:42 PM »
I am planning to switch out the power cords this weekend if all goes well. 

Where did you pick up the low temp cords?  I saw some on amazon.  I was going to go down to my local HD and Lowes and see what they have. 

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Cable-Low-Temp-Extension-100-Feet/dp/B00004SQFB/ref=sr_1_20?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1388700180&sr=1-20

I was planning to get 14/3 as this was what was is on the SI and the Auber so I too figured it would be a safe replacement.
Charlie from MD
Smokin it Model #3 with Cart
Auber 1503, Maverick ET-733, iGrill

Wik

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 89
Re: Smokin-It Temperature Contoller Bypass
« Reply #21 on: January 02, 2014, 09:26:35 PM »
I picked mine up at Menards but I'm sure any that advertise 40-50+ below will do.  Looks like the amazon one should work.  I just used a 25ft one and cut what I wanted.
Chad from Moorhead, MN
Proud #3 Owner

cwshiles

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 93
  • Get out there and Smoke it!
Re: Smokin-It Temperature Contoller Bypass
« Reply #22 on: January 03, 2014, 06:20:19 PM »
Ok, the cords have been purchased. I thought I had all the spade connectors I needed but I just rechecked my stash and I only have female ends and large spades. I'll just run up and grab some tomorrow after I pull the back off.

Question:
I am planning on changing the SI power cord to about a 6 footer for flexibility. I was also contemplating changing the power cord in the Auber to a 6 inch or 1 footer. That way it's a little easier to unplug the Auber and keep it inside without all the extra cord when not in use. I could then plug the Auber into a 15 ft 14/3 cold weather extension cord and keep that wound up on the back of the SI cord hook.

Thoughts?
Charlie from MD
Smokin it Model #3 with Cart
Auber 1503, Maverick ET-733, iGrill

Three Sons BBQ

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 419
Re: Smokin-It Temperature Contoller Bypass
« Reply #23 on: January 03, 2014, 07:33:31 PM »
Seems ok. I guess we are all in personal preference mode at this point.
Brinkmann '07... Offset '11... Smokin-It '13!!!

DivotMaker

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10988
  • Model 1, 2D conversion, and 3D!
Re: Smokin-It Temperature Contoller Bypass
« Reply #24 on: January 03, 2014, 07:47:12 PM »
Sounds like a good plan to me, Charlie!  Yep, everyone will have a personal preference.  No "right or wrong," just individual solutions to a challenge!
Tony from NW Arkansas
"Official Smokin-It Test Pilot"
Smokin-It Model 1, 2D conversion, and 3D
Auber PID, NexGrill 896 6-burner, CharBroil Big Easy, Anova Precision Cooker w/WiFi
Wife, Son and One REALLY Big Dog!

cwshiles

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 93
  • Get out there and Smoke it!
Re: Smokin-It Temperature Contoller Bypass
« Reply #25 on: January 03, 2014, 08:33:04 PM »
Of course. I just happy to get feedback. I had not even thought to change the power cord to a low temp cord until it was suggested here.

Thanks for the suggestion. I am excited to make a great smoker even better. For me  :)
Charlie from MD
Smokin it Model #3 with Cart
Auber 1503, Maverick ET-733, iGrill

cwshiles

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 93
  • Get out there and Smoke it!
Re: Smokin-It Temperature Contoller Bypass
« Reply #26 on: January 05, 2014, 11:30:13 AM »
Mission Completed and then some....

First and foremost...  Thanks to Polish Q & Wik for this thread as well as Johnny and the reset of the men that paved the way to the Auber mod.  It really made a task that could have made me very nervous (screwin up $700 in equipment) a very simple task.  I did take Pics to add on to the thread, but the pics they put up really made my job a lot easier.

I had a busy Saturday. 

I had always planned to bypass the controller when I purchased my Auber because it really does make for a more precise temperature control.  So this starts the first part of the post.  Bypassing the Auber.  It was certainly easy enough.  I think it took me more time to unscrew the back and take pictures than the actual work.  As others have said, its simple if you just have a jumper wire (14 awg.  I used the white wire from the plug since I was swapping that out) with two male spade connectors on it to bypass the SI temperature controller.  Thanks for the advice on the insulation.  I put on some rubber gloves and that seemed to help.





Charlie from MD
Smokin it Model #3 with Cart
Auber 1503, Maverick ET-733, iGrill

cwshiles

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 93
  • Get out there and Smoke it!
Re: Smokin-It Temperature Contoller Bypass
« Reply #27 on: January 05, 2014, 11:39:13 AM »
Next stop, changing out the power cord in the SI #3 and the Auber.  Thanks for the great idea here.  It is very easy, and definitely worth the effort.  It was 20 degrees here and the new cord performed well.

The Smokin It change was really easy.  Its just 3 wires.  I clipped the ground wire and put a female spade on it and a male on the new cold weather power cord. 

Charlie from MD
Smokin it Model #3 with Cart
Auber 1503, Maverick ET-733, iGrill

old sarge

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4044
Re: Smokin-It Temperature Contoller Bypass
« Reply #28 on: January 05, 2014, 11:48:24 AM »
Bless my soul.  Smoker porn!  Love the pictures!!
« Last Edit: January 05, 2014, 11:49:55 AM by old sarge »
David from Arizona
US Army 70 - 95
SI 3D & Big Red Controller
CS 066
Lodge Sportsman Grill
Weber Kettle
Ducane Meridian 42 inch Grill
LEM MaxVac 1088A
LEM Big Bite #8 Grinder
Chef's Choice 665 and Rival Slicers
Old Hickory Knives
InstantPot Duo80 Plus

cwshiles

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 93
  • Get out there and Smoke it!
Re: Smokin-It Temperature Contoller Bypass
« Reply #29 on: January 05, 2014, 12:02:17 PM »
Next the Auber coldweather/short cord.  I primarily did this because I plan to keep the Auber inside and did not want to have a 15 ft cord attached to it all the time so I shortened it to about 8-12 inches. 

As others have said, this is a bit more tricky, because soldering is involved, but its really not that difficult.  You can do it! 


1. Pop the plastic covers off of the Auber and then unscrew the 4 screws holding the back of the unit together.
2. Follow the black, white, and green cables from the power cord to the terminals inside the auber.  Take a picture or refer back to this so you know where the new ones will be reconnected. 
3. Remove the existing cables from the terminals with your soldering iron.  Just touch it to the wire.  It will heat the solder and you will see it change to a bright silver.  Tug lightly on the wire until it has been disconnected.  The wires to get hot when you hold the soldering iron to them, so you may want to use a pair of needle nose pliers to handle the wire it gets too hot to handle.  Do this for each of the 3 wires.
4.  Clip and strip the new power cable to the desired length.  I made it short, but YMMV.
5.  Prep the new wire with a little bit of solder before connecting it to the post where the old wire was removed.  This makes re-connecting the wire a little easier and ensures you have good connectivity.  Do this to the terminal as well.  By adding a little solder to the terminal, it will make connecting the wire easier and ensure good connectivity.  Now hold the wire up to the terminal just as you did when you removed the wire and you will see the solder start to melt together between the wire and the terminal when you hold the soldering Iron up to it.  Try to keep the time you are holding the heat to the wire/terminal as short as possible because you do not want to damage the terminal or draw too much solder up the cable. 
6.  I put zip ties and hot glued my new power cable into the grommet just to make sure it was very secure.
7.  Terminate the new power cables.  I used some plug ends I found at lowes which I like.  They have different colors.  I like Orange   :)  The inside of the plug will tell you which color wire conects to which terminal in the plug.



Charlie from MD
Smokin it Model #3 with Cart
Auber 1503, Maverick ET-733, iGrill