Permanent Probe Problems

[SuperDave]

My permanent probe took a dump last night as I was attempting to start a late night smoke.  The Auber readout ran forward and backward, from +400 degrees to -120 degrees, which set off alarms.  It just kept doing it without stopping.  I plugged the mobile box plug in and it worked fine.  Does anyone know if these are serviceable? 

 

[DivotMaker]

Sorry to hear that, Dave!  I think yours is the first I've heard of failing.  I'm not sure it they are serviceable; probably need to contact Auber on that.  Could you have pinched/kinked the wire?  Since the only part in the smoker is the probe, I wouldn't think you could have gotten moisture in it.  Other than moisture, I think the wire or plug would be the only other points of failure.

 

[Bebe]

i doubt it, since is sealed...
Maybe is the wire or the plug, i guess you could cut and resolder it. Push come to shove, order one from Steve, cheaper than Auber.

 

[SuperDave]

I'm glad that I had a back up! 

 

[elkins20]

Hey Dave, try cleaning the probe on the inside of the smoker. And you might try cleaning the input that goes into the auber with some Isopropyl Alcohol. Dry it really good and see if it works. Also you can get one at Auber for 16.88. Here is the site info.
http://www.mementotech.com/newauber/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_29&products_id=99

 

[SuperDave]

Thanks Bill, that's the plug for the old unit.  The new plug is twice that price on that site.  Steve has it for a couple dollars less.  I think I'll try a little steel wool or sandpaper on the probe and see if it makes any difference.  Other than some smoke patina, it looks very clean. 

 

[elkins20]

Your very welcome Dave, was not sure which model Auber that you have. I was lucky when I purchased the Auber for the #1 I just added the permanent wall mount and was $2.00 more in cost. I purchased that Auber from their site as was on sale at the time. I have been washing mine after every smoke and they look pretty clean. Thank goodness that you had a spare.

 

[SuperDave]

Thank goodness that you had a spare.

While it might not be common, $20 - $30 extra probe is cheap insurance.  Hopefully, a lesson for others.

 

[NDKoze]

This is one of the main reasons that I have not taken the plunge with an Auber.

Having to swap out a plug in the middle of the night to complete a smoke doesn't fit into my Lazy Q lifestyle.

I know this is a very rare issue, but "for me" I just do not see that the pros outweigh the cons.

If I ever do take the plunge, I will definitely be including the switch so that I can quickly go back to the stock controller.

I'm glad to hear that you had a spare and were able to complete your smoke Dave.

 

[SuperDave]

For what it is worth, the non permanent probe performed flawlessly.  It locked in and held as well as my permanent probe has performed. 

 

[elkins20]

I too have extra meat probes but as others have said would not think about getting an extra box probe.

 

[SuperDave]

Update on this situation.  The permanent probe was working fine again after this original episode but resurfaced again today.  When I turned on the unit, the box temp side of the Auber display kept scrolling from 0 - 700 degrees and then would start all over again.  Anyone seen that before?

 

[DivotMaker]

Wow, you have all the luck, Dave!  I have 3 wall probes - plus the factory one in the 3D, and have never had any problems with them.  Did you check your plug, and make sure it's clean and moisture-free?  I know Auber has suggested that moisture in the plug can cause things like that.

 

[SuperDave]

Now I am starting to think that the problem is on the Auber unit side.  If I unplug and plug the probe in repeatedly with increasing force, I can get it to register.  Do I send this to Auberin?

 

[DivotMaker]

Have you tried plugging the probe into the probe 2 slot, and your drop in meat probe into slot 1?  Not for cooking, but to see if the meat probe does the same thing?

 

[SuperDave]

I tried the non permanent box probe that I have and it does the same thing. 

 

[DivotMaker]

I tried the non permanent box probe that I have and it does the same thing.

Did you buy it from Steve, or direct from Auber?  If Steve, I'd give him a call tomorrow.

 

[JustAnOldFella]

Have you been able to find out what went wrong with your Auber ?

I switched the cords between my Auber and SI#1 right after receiving them.  While in the Auber box, I found that everything was very well soldered -- except the ground on the cabinet temp probe which only had a single strand of the wire connected.

 

[SuperDave]

Thanks Terry.  I've avoided opening the box in fear that I would void any warranty but I guess it wouldn't hurt just to look.

 

[DivotMaker]

Thanks Terry.  I've avoided opening the box in fear that I would void any warranty but I guess it wouldn't hurt just to look.

Nothing to it... Pull of the back trim ring, 4 screws and voila!  Auber is good, but I've found a couple of manufacturing defects.  One was a wire not soldered very well, and the other was the 120v outlet not seated properly (it pulled the plug out when I was trying to unplug the power cord).  Simple fixes.