Demo Video for D's?

[JackT]

Seems there have been a number of posts with questions and confusion regarding the PID programming for the D's, whether it be the 2D, 3D or 4D. While someone always is ready with an answer and suggestions, what might come in handy would be a demonstration video. Multiple programming scenarios could be demonstrated and it would cost virtually nothing to create, other than a little time. Whether it be done my Steve and posted here at Smokin It, or one of the other SI experts and placed on YouTube wouldn't matter as much as just being available for those learning the ropes, or even for those considering their new purchase. Just a suggestion.......

 

[jcboxlot]

+1

With all the questions asked, it might turn off some buyers.  It seems the ones that love it, love it, but some have learning curve getting going which could be a turnoff. 

 

[DivotMaker]

Great suggestion, Jack.  I'm not skilled in video making, but I'm sure someone here is!  Any Auber, or D-model owners, who are skilled in the operations and video making, up to the challenge??  A standalone GPH model Auber will work, as they function the same.

 

[SmokinSusie-Q]

Seems there have been a number of posts with questions and confusion regarding the PID programming for the D's, whether it be the 2D, 3D or 4D. While someone always is ready with an answer and suggestions, what might come in handy would be a demonstration video. Multiple programming scenarios could be demonstrated and it would cost virtually nothing to create, other than a little time. Whether it be done my Steve and posted here at Smokin It, or one of the other SI experts and placed on YouTube wouldn't matter as much as just being available for those learning the ropes, or even for those considering their new purchase. Just a suggestion.......

I totally agree, Jack.  I bought my 2D within a week or so after they were available.  I had a written description; then talked to Steve; and moved on faith.  A video would have been extremely helpful.

 

[joc6820]

Great idea, can't come soon enough.  This is not an intuitive interface.  Always leaves you guessing if you did it right.  I'm just trying to master temp and time.  I'd like to get to other features but not yet.  Not sure what the "H" is in the right side display, and that's the funniest looking "t" I've ever seen.  I know, keep pressing set......

 

[SconnieQ]

I have the simple "dial" on my #1... but I have to say, I HAVE noticed the large numbers of posts with questions since the "D"s came out. Can't help em, but either there needs to be better/easier instructions or a comprehensive video.

 

[JackT]

Great idea, can't come soon enough.  This is not an intuitive interface.  Always leaves you guessing if you did it right.  I'm just trying to master temp and time.  I'd like to get to other features but not yet.  Not sure what the "H" is in the right side display, and that's the funniest looking "t" I've ever seen.  I know, keep pressing set......

The "H" is a temp sensor alarm. This is normal if you're cooking for temp and time and don't have your internal meat temp probe attached. Just push the "time" button and the "H" will change to your time. Hope that helps.

 

[joc6820]

That does help, thanks.  It's also a good illustration of why a video or easy to understand user manual is needed.

 

[SmokinSusie-Q]

Agree!

 

[JackT]

That does help, thanks.  It's also a good illustration of why a video or easy to understand user manual is needed.

With the few replies that are posted thus far into this thread, it's clear that a video would serve many purposes. First and foremost, it would show, in an observable way, just how to walk through the steps of setting up a simple program. From a college-educated perspective, the current instructions can be confusing and really shouldn't be (I probably partied too much in school!). Future PID controllers should incorporate a "programming for dummies" interface that eliminates confusion......(but that's for another day). Secondly, it's really not that difficult to program once you've played with it and understand the "triggers". Many posts have demonstrated that potential buyers are "scared" or "confused" as to whether to purchase one of the "D's", but a video demonstrating the steps of programming could nip that in the bud. From my point of view, I'm glad that I purchased the 3D. Several times in the beginning however, I caught myself going back and reprograming my target times and temps. So for my 2-cents, if a good video walked users and potential buyers through the steps they need to know, there would be only winners and no losers. Happy smoking!

 

[DivotMaker]

Dang.  Guess I'm gonna have to brush-up on video making, now!  Too bad I have a face made for radio!

 

[SconnieQ]

Dang.  Guess I'm gonna have to brush-up on video making, now!  Too bad I have a face made for radio!

I assume it would be mostly closeups on your hands anyway. Like George from Seinfeld when he was a hand model. Don't forget to make an appointment for a manicure before you make the video! I get really distracted when I watch a video of hands with crusty cuticles and dirty nails (not to say you have those).

 

[Edward]

I can record HD video & post online if there is anyone else near the Chicagoland area that knows how to use it better than me. You do the demo & I record & post it. I have been having issues with mine holding temp after several autotunes so I still don't have enough whiskers to make a video but willing to help if anyone else is close enough.

 

[Durangosmoker]

Add me to the list of people who would dearly love to have a 3D, but am hesitating because I am totally confused by the technical talk/jargon and the myriad of questions I keep hearing about the auber.  Autotune? P, I, and D values? That mysteriously blinking H error message? A video would be immensely helpful to demystify the process and show me that the set part of "set it and forget it" will not cause my blood pressure to skyrocket.  But thanks for even talking about doing one.

 

[old sarge]

I am fairly new to the 3D having acquired it in FEB of this year. The controller is simple to use.  But the steps/programming can be intimidating.  I ALWAYS have the instructions open at the smoker and am up and running in just a minute or so. Tony helped me on my first two cooks and life is good. He helped develop what many of us are using and did a lot of testing of probe location and the like. Here is a cut and paste from what Tony has stated:

"The Auber controls are one of those things that feel like reading stereo instructions, until you actually start pushing buttons on the unit.  It's actually fairly intuitive, once you start.  The six "steps" of a program always have 3 parts:  Temperature, trigger, and desired result.  So:

C01    What box temp? (250 with the +/- buttons)
E01    What trigger?  Time or temperature of the meat?  (select "t" with the +/- buttons, as opposed to "F."
t01    How long?  (put 4.0 in the right window).

These three "ingredients" always make a program! "

I think a video would be helpful as a selling point to show some basic steps like ribs  (temp and time), butts and briskets (temp and int temp) etc.  For me the instructions work and a new manual is being worked on. I am hoping they will be very basic step by step, but the more I use the smoker the less I need to go to the instructions.  Really!  Still not intuitive but no longer intimidating. So for anyone considering a D model, go ahead and take the plunge.  You fell down more when learning to walk than you will using the PID.

 

[JackT]

When I originally suggested a video, the intent was to eliminate some anxiety of those who think the "D"s are too complicated. They really aren't. One of the best examples of that statement is that you'll never do all the things that the PID controller can do. Having received my 3D at the first of the year, I was a bit like Old Sarge, in that I used my cheat sheet for a good while until I no longer needed it. In most cases, owners of the "D"s will only use the simplest and most basic programming. It's really all you need to know. I've never programmed past 3 steps of the 6 available. Usually, I use only step one or an additional program for hold temp. I've never "auto-tuned", and don't need to. If it works, don't fix it. (Although I did download the pdf instructions from the Auberins website)

What I have learned in retirement, is that I can do a lot of things that I never imagined. In the past 6 months, I've replaced motor mounts on my daughters car, repaired my refrigerator's freezer defrost heater, replaced blown speakers in my 02 Silverado and even eliminated a significant element of the mole population on my property, all from watching YouTube videos of those things being done. So, in a nutshell, videos can be helpful. Happy Smoking!

 

[kona77]

Did my first smoke a couple of weeks ago and the "H" error code drove me crazy.. Kept going thru the instructions and thinking I was missing something.. I also agree with the comment about the weird looking "t". Just would have been nice to have some additional information in the Instructions that came with the unit..Still a bit unsure about the programming part of my 3-D but will be trying a pork butt this weekend.. Count me in as a user you would love to see a video on the "D" programming.. 

 

[old sarge]

As you get more proficient, you will require the instructions less and less. BUT when you misinterpret something, annotate it with something more meaningful to you; get the H, you can indicate that it equals error. You could go so far as re-writing the instructions to suit your own understanding of the programming. 

 

[old sarge]

Demo video/programming from the SI Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/Smokin-it-182919855212905/

 

[DivotMaker]

Thanks for the link, Dave!  One minor correction, to what Steve said in the video - the -H- symbol in the right window, indicates that a probe isn't attached, not "heat."  Minor, but just wanted to clarify for others.