Controller Problems

[old sarge]

I know the controller wires are small, probably 20 to 24 gauge. And the copper strands fragile. The crimping of the connectors may have damaged the strands to the point of poor transmission as well as breakage. Stripping the insulation back and soldering the wire to the connectors would be stronger.  Not now but in the future should the need arise.

 

[Ken]

It looks like the wires may be aluminum, not copper for sure.  Maybe an upgrade in the quality should be considered.  Replacement wiring of the same would be nice.  It's an easy install.  It's the wires from the controller to the relay that are light weight. Maybe a new set should be sent with each controller, relay or free with anyone having problems.

 

[old sarge]

Let Steve know what you found and make the suggestion.  Can't hurt!

 

[Ken]

He and Auber both know what happened to me.  For now I’m very happy that I can smoke again.

 

[LarryD]

I hope Steve is throwing some bonus goodies your way as it seems you've really done them a service.

The idea that aluminum wiring would be used is obscene.  I would take my unit apart to see what it has except for fear that then it might not work afterwards.

Very glad to hear you have it figured out and appreciate that you shared the fix and took us on the journey with you.

 

[Ken]

Thanks.  It was a journey.  Four months is a long time but I have an outdoor smoker.  Nasty weather, frustration and sometimes a bit lazy added to the time frame.

 

[Ken]

Three steps forward and one step back.  This was a 4.5-hour smoke.  The screenshots show the first and last two hours.  I thought this thing was fixed but I still have issues. The three perfect 2-hour tests gave me confidence.  At least I made it through the cook.  More work to do. 

 

[old sarge]

Sorry to see you are still having a problem.  Since I don't use wifi or the phone, I can't help with what the screen is showing.  But it looks like things were going well: steady climb and stable. So what went wrong in the middle? Is it possible that at some point you hit a stall and maybe the temps dropped?  What were you smoking?

 

[Ken]

The screen shot should look like the shot that I posted on 4-27.

 

[old sarge]

Please compare what you are getting with the screen shots at the link.  Busy looking for more info for you.
https://www.smokinitforums.com/index.php?topic=8639.msg74276#msg74276
https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_28&products_id=702

 

[Ken]

The screenshot on the link is much like some that I have seen.  My 4-27 screenshot is the way it should look.  Nice and even.  I'm certain that my problem is with the connectors to the aluminum wiring between the controller and relay.  I'm going to revisit all of them tomorrow. 

 

[LarryD]

Is it time to just rewire it all with copper?

 

[Ken]

Maybe

 

[Ken]

After giving it a break to settle the frustration, I turned it on today just to see what happened.  Nothing surprises me anymore.  I’ll just have to open it up and start over.

 

[Ken]

The controller screen seems to have healed itself.  Back to checking all the connections again. 

 

[old sarge]

I do hope you get this all figured out.

 

[Ken]

Me too.  I checked connections today and another of the originals that seemed solid just fell apart.  I think this may be the only one left that I haven’t replaced.  Maybe they weren’t crimped tight enough originally.  Anyway I had a clean two hour test run today.  Smoked chicken tomorrow will tell the truth.

 

[old sarge]

Fingers crossed!

 

[Ken]

At this point I'm going to call it good and keep smokin.  The glitzes in the power output doesn't seem to affect the temperature enough to make any difference.  Replacing some connectors and crimping the existing ones seems to have made the most difference.  I didn't replace any wires so who knows if that would achieve perfection or not. 

 

[old sarge]

SMOKE ON FRIEND!