Houston, we have a problem...

[petecofishing1]

Prepped ribs last night, placed them in the 3D.  Went to set the PID and all I get is flashing.  No matter what button I push cannot get anything to work to set the temp.  Any help / ideas? Gonna have to buy a new panel or smoker? Thanks

 

[barelfly]

Can you email Steve? Maybe he gets back to you quickly? But other than that I don’t know the PIDs well.

Or direct message Tony/ divot maker?

Hope you get it worked out.

 

[petecofishing1]

Thanks, Jeremy. 

 

[DivotMaker]

Jeff, did you get it working? 

 

[old sarge]

Just a thought.  Assuming you have unplugged the unit for a reset, if it has been really cold, can you move the smoker to a warmer location or use a hair dryer on the controller?  Sometimes board components can freeze up.

 

[petecofishing1]

Did not get it going today.  Cold snap in Colorado.  Will move it inside. let it warm up and see if that resets it. Shared with Steve it got hit by hail in July 2016 and panel buttons got cracked.  Have had no issue until now so perhaps the cold did create problems today.  Thanks for the ideas.  Jeff

 

[old sarge]

Hoping the warm-up helps Jeff.  If not, a replacement is available on the website under replacement parts.

 

[petecofishing1]

Thanks Old Sarge.  Will try tomorrow.  If no go will buy a replacement.  Ribs in the oven turned out well, but not the same without that smoke from the 3D.

 

[old sarge]

I know what you mean about the ribs. Did Steve have any ideas? 

 

[petecofishing1]

Yes.  Both guessing moisture got into the control panel through the cracks from the hail damage.  Got 1 1/2 years out of the panel after the huge Colorado hail storm in 2016 so a lot longer than I would have guessed but gotta replace it. 

 

[SuperDave]

Just for reference, I’ve read that some guys that have their smoker uncovered put a heavy bowl upside down over the controller when not in use.

 

[DivotMaker]

Bet your problem is likely cold-related, Jeff.  Let us know if it works when it warms up a bit.

 

[SconnieQ]

Bet your problem is likely cold-related, Jeff.  Let us know if it works when it warms up a bit.

Tony, is there any published temperature range for the digital controller working, and being stored outside? It might be helpful for those in cold climates debating between the analog vs digital controller, and whether they want the on-board digital controller vs a stand-alone Auber that they can store inside. Seems I've been seeing more of this lately, since more D models are out there this winter. Maybe there are some climates where the D models are not recommended if you plan on storing outside and doing a lot of winter smoking?

 

[petecofishing1]

Unfortunately, did not work after putting the smoker in the house overnight.  Have a cover for the smoker that I keep on year round.  Thinking the after
1 1 /2 years hail damage finally caught up. Ordered another Digital Box and look forward to the next smoke. 

 

[DivotMaker]

Sorry to hear it's DOA, Jeff!  I'm not sure about a "published" low-temp threshold for the controller, but know I've used mine into the teens. 

 

[Donmac]

I have used my 3D many times in single digits temperatures and never had that happen. I have had it struggle to get back up to temp after opening the door while smoking. But It has always performed well in the cold and gets to operating temp usually 235 fine. But Like I said if the door needs to be opened then it takes a quite bit of time to back to temp and sometimes never reaches the set temp at all but maybe 15-20 degrees below set temp.

 

[JackT]

Probably something that you've already checked, but always make sure that the temperature probe is clean and not covered with any foreign substances ( meat, fat, drippings,etc.). That has happened to me before with the result of a flashing PID controller. Once cleaned off, operation returned to normal. Good luck finding your solution.

 

[petecofishing1]

Have used mine on some fairly low temps here in Colorado in the past.  New panel is on the way so hopefully that takes care of it and get back to putting out some smoked goods...

 

[kona77]

I had a similar issue a couple of weeks ago when I did a pork butt. Always keep my unit in the garage with the cover on. I had not tried to use my 3-D in really cold weather and the first night the controls were very sluggish and would not let me recall the pre-programmed Pork butt recipe. I searched on this site and saw the recommendation to move inside so I did that and tried again the next night. Temps were close to zero and I had to rest the controls twice before I could get all the way through to the pre-programmed recipe.  Did get the control setting I wanted and the butt turned out great.

Only other topic was it took 17 hours to hit 195.. Always buy a 8-9lb butt for consistency and followed the same process of using DM's brine and then coating with Memphis rub. Have always hit 195 in the 12-14 hour range on my other 5-6 butts. I know it could have just been my temp probe placement or this actual butt that (or maybe the extreme cold?) required the extra time. I know these smokers are built and insulated well so I assume it was one of the other topics that created the extra time. Good learning experience for the next cold snap. Live in Wisconsin so that could be a week from now or in June 8)   

 

[ArsenalFan]

Unfortunately, did not work after putting the smoker in the house overnight.  Have a cover for the smoker that I keep on year round.  Thinking the after
1 1 /2 years hail damage finally caught up. Ordered another Digital Box and look forward to the next smoke.

Did the new box fix it?

I'm curious, because when my box stopped working (and I got a new box), I installed it and even the new one didn't work.  I think the root cause was a combination of a failed power cord and/or two of the spade bits weren't properly clamped to the wire (which could be the problem in cold weather with the expanding/contracting due to temp changes, might cause arcing or even the wire to disconnect totally from the spade).  When you're installing the new box, I'd suggest opening up the back and making sure all the wires are solidly connected to their spade/circle connectors.  Just a suggestion.