Author Topic: Rocker Switch Help Needed  (Read 9831 times)

coachB

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Rocker Switch Help Needed
« on: March 02, 2015, 01:58:56 PM »
I need some advice guys.  I thought I had this installation figured up and wired correctly, but I think I was wrong.  I did an Auber permanent install (no problems), and the factory bypass with the DPDT switch.  I then did the autotune which appeared to be fine.  Had to do a rib smoke yesterday and the weather wasn't the best so I was going to do it with the original factory setup and not subject the Auber to any rain.  What a fiasco. Set the controller to 235 and dropped an old, unreliable meat probe in the box.  The temp never got above 180, but again, not reliable. 6 hrs later I pulled the ribs.  170-180 was probably correct so you can guess how they came out.

The power (red) light only comes on in one position, not both.  But it seems heat is being generated in both, but the stock position temp is not reliable.  All the connections are tight.

I don't have a smartphone for pictures and I don't know how to imbed from a camera.  Any help would be appreciated as I have 9.6 lbs of loin for bacon and 8.5 lbs for pastrami that has to be smoked very soon.
Bill from Myrtle Beach SC

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Re: Rocker Switch Help Needed
« Reply #1 on: March 02, 2015, 07:29:17 PM »
Can you download your camera pics to your computer?  If so, you can just attach them by using the "attachments and other options," below the post text window.  A picture or two would be worth a thousand words, in this case. 

Have you tried reconnecting the power leads to the stock controller (bypassing the switch), and testing the temp with something in the smoker (bricks, or other suitable heat sink)?  I'd isolate the switch first.  I guess it's possible that it's limiting, or throttling, your power.  Remove it from the equation and test.  If that doesn't get the heat up, we can go from there with the next step.
Tony from NW Arkansas
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coachB

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Re: Rocker Switch Help Needed
« Reply #2 on: March 02, 2015, 10:09:42 PM »
I may have stumbled on a fix, Tony.  I pretty much ended up switching a bunch of things around.  The problem seemed to be where the wires (2) to the light were connected.  The one that runs down the right side is unchanged. The one that went to the controller was the question for rerouting.  I spliced it into the middle set of contacts (power)--to the wire that comes out of the heater element.
That seemed to do the trick.  I set up the Auber for C 01 145/1 hr, C02 225/until 195, C03 135/l hr.  The 1st command did not work--the heat went straight to 225 but has stabilized there.  I will watch the internal temp to see if the program is holding.

I will check it further tomorrow to see if reversing the bypass goes to factory controls.
Don't have a clue how to do pictures to computer.  All my camera epuipment is 35mm.  Yeah, I know, I'm a dinosaur.
Bill from Myrtle Beach SC

TmanEater

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Re: Rocker Switch Help Needed
« Reply #3 on: March 02, 2015, 10:15:13 PM »
Bill, what did you buy for a DPDT switch? The power light should come on in both modes (assuming you have your analog controller in a temperature position and your Auber activated). A picture would be good to see here. Did you follow some steps from another post on this forum? Can you provide the link to which post(s) you used as guidance?
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Tony from Marion, IA

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Re: Rocker Switch Help Needed
« Reply #4 on: March 02, 2015, 10:20:36 PM »
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Tony from Marion, IA

coachB

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Re: Rocker Switch Help Needed
« Reply #5 on: March 02, 2015, 10:33:39 PM »
Tony, yes, that was the schematic that finally provided some help. Even enlarged it is difficult to read, but it worked.  The problem with most of the pics in the threads is that they don't show ALL the wiring, mostly close-ups of connections.  Like which of the 2 power wires takes the light wire splice into which side of the middle set of terminals.
Right now if the power light comes on when thrown in either position.  I will be checking tomorrow to make sure the unit functions without using the Auber.
Bill from Myrtle Beach SC

TmanEater

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Re: Rocker Switch Help Needed
« Reply #6 on: March 02, 2015, 10:47:11 PM »
Bill,


I had to think through the wiring as well. My wiring was a bit different but I also found lack of complete pictures. So, I took quite a few pics when I did my wiring job that showed the complete job for my situation. Your wiring should look similar to mine except where mine connects to the solid state relay(SSR). You would have a bypass loop where I have my SSR wiring running.










« Last Edit: March 03, 2015, 12:15:26 AM by TmanEater »
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Tony from Marion, IA

coachB

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Re: Rocker Switch Help Needed
« Reply #7 on: March 02, 2015, 11:09:18 PM »
Tony, my head is spinning.  That went totally over my head.  I thought I had it right from the schematic you linked, but these pictures are confusing me.  I am going to check them out again in the morning when I can look with a fresh perspective.  Thanks for the advice.
Bill from Myrtle Beach SC

TmanEater

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Re: Rocker Switch Help Needed
« Reply #8 on: March 03, 2015, 12:09:58 AM »
Bill-
The schematic should be the same except for my two (black) wires going from the switch to the relay on the bottom of my smoker. You would have a loopback (aka bypass) wire at the switch between those terminals. I made some edits in the photo below so you can see what I'm talking about. The blue line means connect these wires together (That would be your loop or bypass wire). This is equivalent to the red wire in the photos where you found the paper schematic posted by CUTiger80. The rest of the wiring should be the same as you see in my pictures (through the switch).

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Tony from Marion, IA

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Re: Rocker Switch Help Needed
« Reply #9 on: March 03, 2015, 08:51:11 PM »
Maybe I just need to re-read your post, Tony, but I'm curious why the relay?  Can't a switch be installed without that?  I don't recall any of our other "switchers" using a relay.  I'm here to learn! ;)
Tony from NW Arkansas
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TmanEater

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Re: Rocker Switch Help Needed
« Reply #10 on: March 03, 2015, 09:20:39 PM »
Tony, the Solid State Relay (SSR) is used to take the pulse width modulated signals from my heatermeter (low DC voltage) and convert them to Alternate Current (AC) signals that regulate the heating element control/power level. I'm pretty sure you have something like this inside of your Auber box (maybe just looks a little different). Have you opened up your Auber box before? Take some photos if you do open it up some time. The rest of you guys use a "loop" wire in bypass mode because that is what allows the AC current to flow and be 100% regulated by your Auber device. The only difference is that you plug the smoker into the Auber and then the Auber into the wall socket. My smoker power coord is always plugged into the wall socket. Then, I just hook up my HeaterMeter to a 12VDC power supply (or battery pack) and plug the Cat5 Ethernet cable into it along with thermocouple and however many other probes I want to use.

When I do my brisket here tonight or tomorrow I'll try to take some pictures that show what this setup looks like for clarity purposes.
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Tony from Marion, IA

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Re: Rocker Switch Help Needed
« Reply #11 on: March 03, 2015, 11:11:21 PM »
Going to get the duct tape, Tony...my head just exploded. ???
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
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TmanEater

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Re: Rocker Switch Help Needed
« Reply #12 on: March 03, 2015, 11:14:16 PM »
 ;D


Anyone around here tried smoking brains?
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Tony from Marion, IA

coachB

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Re: Rocker Switch Help Needed
« Reply #13 on: March 04, 2015, 11:26:33 PM »
My head exploded last night.  Now I know how my father felt when he would call to say the VCR wouldn't work because the clock light was blinking after a storm and I would have to try to walk him through it long distance.
Bill from Myrtle Beach SC

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Re: Rocker Switch Help Needed
« Reply #14 on: March 04, 2015, 11:35:32 PM »
Sorry Bill. I hope you were able to pick up the pieces from the explosion and make sense of everything after a good nights rest. The great part of the internet is ability to share pictures and video. That really helps when walking things through long distance.
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Tony from Marion, IA