Controller Problems

[Ken]

I have a Model 2Wi-Fi.  I recently started seeing wild swings in power and uneven internal temperatures.  Steve sent me a new air temperature probe but that didn't fix the problem.  The settings on the controller seem to be correct. Does anyone have any ideas? 

 

[LarryD]

What are you identifying as the problem here?  The image seems to show the box temperature to be relatively stable.  The power output is supposed to vary so that you don't get wild temperature swings.  It's possible that some PID tuning would make the box temp variance even smaller, but it doesn't look bad to me.

 

[Ken]

Here is a better image.

 

[Ken]

The first time this happened was during a smoked salmon cook.  The smoker was set at 160 and the IT wanted was 140.  The IT on the fish dropped from 135 to 125 during the cook. 

 

[old sarge]

I would visit the instructions for the controller OR visit the Auber site for instructions and trouble shooting. As Larry mentioned, maybe a tune-up would work.  The Auber site has quite a bit of info to help in these situations.

 

[Ken]

Steve helped me check the settings and the screen shot that I posted shows they are correct.  I'll check the Auber site. 

 

[LarryD]

Safe to assume that no extension cords are involved?  Have you tried an outlet on a different circuit?

 

[Ken]

Good idea.  I’ll try that tomorrow.

 

[Ken]

I tried a different receptacle today to see if that was the problem.  Everything went well until I got to the one-hour mark. 

 

[LarryD]

Bummer.  I know it's kind of grasping, but did Steve walk you through a factory reset? 

 

[Ken]

Since I’ve replaced the probe, Auber is recommending a new control panel. 

 

[LarryD]

Ugh...  if/when my 3DW controller fails I'll just see if Steve will sell me the parts and knowledge to turn it into a #3.  I really dislike the auber, anyway.

 

[Ken]

The control panel is not a replaceable part.  I had to buy a complete controller.  Hopefully that takes care of things. 

This was a used smoker so it's not under warrantee.  Buyer beware.  It was a Gen 2 model and only one month old, but the price was great.  The people bought a product out of their comfort range.  I was hoping that the new model would be free of problems but not so.  It worked perfectly for almost a year.  Coming from a Model 1, I was very happy with the digital performance and extra size, once I got used to it. The model 1 works great too. I donated it to one of my sons in laws and he's happy.

 

[old sarge]

Hoping the new controller solves  the problem.

 

[Ken]

Me too!

 

[Ken]

I replaced the controller as that seemed to be the best option.  Unfortunately, that did not work.  Every time I turned the unit on, things get worse.  The problem doesn't seem to be there when it's just turned on but cold.  It is starting sooner now and I'm getting multiple high temperature warnings sent to my phone.  The digital relay seems like the next thing to look at. I've sent multiple images to Steve along with correspondence.   

 

[Ken]

It's been a number on months now that I've struggled with this unit.  The controller, digital relay and the internal temperature probe are all new. I've been working with Smokin-It and Auber and while they are very helpful, I'm still having issues.  To me, it seems like it has to be a connection or defective wire problem.  I've made some progress.  I replaced some of the connectors as the wiring is not sturdy.  Today I made sure all the connections at the relay were very tight and got a clean two hour test.  After that, things went bad again.  This has happened before.  The attached images show todays results.  I really like the smoker and want it to work again.  Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[old sarge]

Just a thought.  Have you run the smoker with a dummy load like a loaf pan of damp sand?  Maybe a brick like divotmaker suggested years ago? I ask because the screen shots don't show either probe in use unless I am missing something.  Also, did you check continuity on all wires?

 

[Ken]

All of this started when using the food probe on a long cook.  Since it only is causing problems with the IT of the smoker, I've testing empty.  Neither Steve or Auber have suggested anything else.  The smoker probe was replaced with no change.  The same goes for the controller and relay.  I wish I could buy new wiring with all the connectors attached.  I contacted Steve and that doesn't seem to be available.  All the connections have been checked again.  I'm going to cook something tomorrow and see what happens.

 

[Ken]

One more test run this morning.  Back to Square One.  I'm still going to do a short cook tomorrow and hope for the best.