Need Help With Bypass & Switch

[dellleekevin@icloud.com]

Hi,

My name is Kevin Dell. I have a Smokin-It 2 Analog Control Smoker which I've only used 3 times since 2019.

I've moved several times. Now I have decided to take my near-new smoker and convert it to digital. I have read all that I could on here about wiring, bypassing, and switches, but I had a hard time seeing the wiring diagram up close. Could you guys please troubleshoot my diagram? It is roughly sketched.
I've got the Auber 1520H.

Thank you very much!
God Bless You!

 

[dellleekevin@icloud.com]

Oh, and by the way, am I correct in assuming that if my Auber ever goes down, I can unplug the smoker from the Auber, plug the smoker into the 120 VAC outlet, and flip the switch in the opposite direction than I would with the digital controller, and then I can control the smoker with the analog controller?

 

[old sarge]

Hard for me to see clearly your diagram (computer issue?) So check these links and I hope they help.
What you will find is that folks installed a toggle switch so that power can be sent to the stock controller when desired or to the auber when that is desired.

https://www.smokinitforums.com/index.php?topic=1287.0
https://www.smokinitforums.com/index.php?topic=1287.msg61557#msg61557
https://www.smokinitforums.com/index.php?topic=1863.0
https://www.smokinitforums.com/index.php?topic=1287.0

 

[dellleekevin@icloud.com]

Thank you, OldSarge!
I decided to reach out to Kane at Auber. He helped me out a lot to reassure me. He stated that he thinks the white (neutral) would be bypassed by the way I am wiring the bypass and switch, but I'm not sure. If I was looking at Smokin-It 2's wiring diagram correctly, it stated that the white wire should go to the right side of the heating element. My black wire was wired directly to the right side of the heating element. That got me wrapped around an axle for quite a while until I called Steve and he walked me through the entire correct wiring diagram of the analog control Smokin-It 2 smoker. Thank you Steve!  My wiring diagram should be correct, but I'm still installing it; I will post whether or not I made a mistake. Kane at Auber put the red markings on the diagrams. The question mark was the part where he didn't know what that was (the connection point of the light and the lead). The other red marks show what happens when the switch is thrown to the left or the right. My left will let the Digital Control be in control of the smoker; unplugging the smoker from the Auber digital controller plus plugging it into the outlet directly, then throwing the switch to the right will place the analog controller in control of the smoker.

Sincerely,
Kevin

 

[dellleekevin@icloud.com]

Oh, and my smoker was originally wired with the white (neutral) wire going to the #2 post on the analog controller and the black (hot) wire going from the left side of the heating element to the #1 post on the analog controller.

 

[old sarge]

Thanks for the update Kevin.

 

[dellleekevin@icloud.com]

You’re welcome old Sarge! Thank you for listening! It heated up to 325 degrees with no problem. It heated up to 275° fairly quickly but then it took a good while longer to get all the way to 325°. Maybe it’s the nature of the heating element for it to kick on and off so it doesn’t burn out

Have a good night.
Kevin

 

[old sarge]

Enjoy!

 

[Lonzinomaker]

If you run an auto tune with the PID, be sure to put a load in the smoker.  Without  a load, the smoker doesn't act the same as it does loaded.  The PID won't learn how to control the temps correctly. I ruined a batch of beer before I learned this the hard way.

 

[dellleekevin@icloud.com]

Dave, thank you for letting me know that! I’m not sure I’m going to run an auto tune until after I try these numbers that Steve gave me and then what I saw posted by divot maker or old sarge. They said a good place to start (if I am quoting them right) with the PID numbers for a Smokin-It 2 model is: P=60, I=850, D=130

Sincerely, Kevin

 

[flyhigh123]

Hey

Did your install work? I just ordered and plan to do the same. Looking forward to adding the switch which i doubt i'll hopefully never need.

 

[dellleekevin@icloud.com]

Hi Flyhigh123! The install went great and works great! If you need me to post any pictures or wiring diagram just let me know. I need to go back through my pictures and my wiring diagram on my phone and print it out, so that I have it with the Unit just in case I ever get rid of it. I went overkill with the 12 gauge high temperature wire that I ordered for way too much money lol. And the cheap heat gun with shrink tubing on each connection. And now my smoker sitting there not getting used lol. I made sure that I calibrated both of the probes and freezing ice water. One of the probes was one degree off. Which that probably wouldn?t make a difference.

Kevin