Smokin-It User Forum!
Auber PID Controllers => Auber Instructions => Topic started by: DivotMaker on June 30, 2014, 10:32:54 PM
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This is the instruction sheet that's posted on the SI site. It is important to autotune the Auber to your particular model. The Auber comes tuned to the Bradley smoker, which does not perform in the same manner as the SI units. The autotune sets a number of parameters, such as how fast the element heats up, when to start "slowing down" before it reaches "set" temperature, and how to maintain the set temp. It you use the Auber "out of the box," without tuning it, results may be less than optimal.
If you have any questions regarding the autotune process, let me know!
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DM or fellow autotuners
I followed the instructions on the SI web site:
When I got to step 3E, the temp read 80 and is increasing as we go along. I did this step 3 times and got the same reading.
Do I do something wrong?
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One question, once the Auber is "auto tuned" i am assuming it is now a SI controller not the B work. So then setting higher temps should be no problem?
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Ed - once you leave the "At" setting (step 3E), it will read the box temp in the left window. It will get to 140 - I'll correct that in the instructions. Good catch! It should be flashing between "At" and the temp, to indicate it is autotuning.
As far as your second question - the only way to get temps higher than 250 are with the bypass. The autotune has nothing to do with how high the temp goes (seems the Auber will go up to 600°, if I'm not mistaken), but everything to do with how it gets there & remains constant there. This tuning adjusts those parameters for your box, so it learns how fast the temp climbs and falls, and how much power to add to maintain.
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Thanks
I am hopefully going to acquire the connectors to bypass the controller and auto tune again.
So once this step is completed, I should be able to have more consistent temperatures (less fluctuations)?
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Ed, before I put in the permanent probe, I had temp swings of +/- 2-3 degrees (still pretty darn close for BBQ). With the permanent probe, they are +/- 1-2 degrees at most. Much tighter than the analog controller!
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Ahh.... I must autotune after the permanent probe install. Was wondering why I had a huge overshoot with baby back ribs on the other day.
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Ahh.... I must autotune after the permanent probe install. Was wondering why I had a huge overshoot with baby back ribs on the other day.
Definitely! Life will be so much easier! ;)
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Ernie - it will continue to flash At/temp until it's done tuning. I need to correct the line that says it will initially read 140, but here's the paragraph you are referring to:
At this point, the left display will flash between At and 140. Your PID is now autotuning itself to your smoker! Let the program run until it is no longer flashing At in the window. The length of time for this process varies, based on how quickly the PID unit “adapts” to how fast the smoker heats up and cools down.
It doesn't say "you are now auto tuned." You will also notice it says "the length of time for this process varies..."
You need to set it up, let it run, and don't worry about it until it's done and no longer flashing At. It can take awhile.
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New guy here. Question on the Autotune. I got my #3 last week and have mounted the probe and bypassed the stock controller. I programmed the Auber using the suggested program in the instructions:
140 for .5 minutes
225 for 2 hours
140 for 5 hours(it suggested .5, but I used 5 just in case it took longer to auto tune)
0
0
0
I then I started the Autotune process.
My questions is, should I see it go through the program I entered? 140 for a half hour then 225 for 2 hours.... I'm definitely past the half hour mark and the highest I've seen the temp is 161. For example right now it is flashing AT and 159.
Thanks,
Matt
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Matt,
I see you were doing this several hours ago. Are you still having trouble? It normally takes the smoker around 45+ minutes to climb to 225.
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I guess so? I never saw it get above 161 degs. I periodically hit the + key to see what step it was in and it never got out of C01. So I'm not sure what is going on. After it finished auto tuning I set C01 to 250 degs and all other steps to 0. It hit 250 with no problem and held it within 3 degree. So should I have seen it go through the program I entered while it was auto tuning? Or does it tend to do its own thing?
Thanks,
Matt
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I think I found my answer. You posted in another thread that it can hold a temp for a very long time while auto tuning. So I take that as it may not follow the program to a T. Now if I can just figure out why it goes into Auto tune mode when I power it on. Flip the switch and without touching anything it starts flashing AT. ???
Matt
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Matt, go back into the settings, where you enabled autotune, and turn it off.
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Looks like I have you spread across 2 different post. Sorry bout that, and sorry for the stupid questions. It's a model WSD-1500GPH. How do I turn it off?
Thanks,
Matt
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Hey Matt,
The older models turned the setting off when it completed. I'll have to look into how this one works. Just press the SET button until Lck appears in the left window. Then, use + to enter code 166. Change At to 0.
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Thank you very much. That worked! I didn't realize you had to go in and turn auto tune off after it completed the auto tune process. Figured it would turn off itself. Now I know.
Thanks,
Matt
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Thank you very much. That worked! I didn't realize you had to go in and turn auto tune off after it completed the auto tune process. Figured it would turn off itself. Now I know.
Thanks,
Matt
Matt, you shouldn't have to. I know I suggested that, to remedy your problem, but it should turn itself off when complete. It may be that it completed the program set before the autotune was done. I would suggest increasing the time at 225 so it has plenty of time to run. Sorry for not picking up on this before, but I'm also still learning the new PID.
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Actually I set it up like you did and set the last step to 10 hours. It completed the auto tune process in about 2 hours. ???
Matt
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Matt, I'm not sure why the At would still flash then. I'll do a little research...
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I installed my wall probe covered everything with foil filled a pan with sand put a pot of water in the #3. Started the auto tune and a couple hours later or so I went out and it was done. Turned everything off and today when I got ready to cook my ribs and turned it on and AT started to flash again what did I miss?
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I installed my wall probe covered everything with foil filled a pan with sand put a pot of water in the #3. Started the auto tune and a couple hours later or so I went out and it was done. Turned everything off and today when I got ready to cook my ribs and turned it on and AT started to flash again what did I miss?
Did you let the entire program complete, and had the At stopped flashing in the left window when you turned it off? Normally, if the autotune runs its entire cycle, it will turn the At setting back to "0" (off). If you're satisfied the AT completed, and it's holding temp correctly, you can go back into the settings (how you turned it on) and manually turn it off. I've heard a couple of cases of this with the new 1200GPH, so I'll see if I can find out anything about a known problem with Auber.
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I started it yesterday at 750 am and didnot get back out to look at it until almost 11 and the AT was gone. I will try AT it one more time. I have not figured out how to set a temp yet as I went back to just the box. I dont think my dial works that well the I have it set to almost 250 and the Arber reads 230 ish.
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I have not figured out how to set a temp yet as I went back to just the box. I dont think my dial works that well the I have it set to almost 250 and the Arber reads 230 ish.
There's one problem - if you use the Auber, the dial MUST be set all the way clockwise (full temp). The stock controller will throttle the Auber if it's anything less.
I've found out that some of the 1200s, that were manufactured early, have a programming error that prevents the autotune from turning off. I believe Auber has a fix for this, but a workaround is manually turning it off, like I said before.
You said you have not figured out how to set a temp yet; what does that mean? Do you mean how to set the Auber program?
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I would certainly contact Auber regarding the problem and provide them with the serial number of the unit or some other form of unit identification. If Auber had a bad run, then it is their problem to address and rectify. Additionally I would provide them with the setting steps you have followed. This may be something that you can fix or you may have to send in the unit. I say this regardless of where you bought it. If purchased from SI, it is still Auber's obligation to fix the issue.
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I have not figured out how to set a temp yet as I went back to just the box. I dont think my dial works that well the I have it set to almost 250 and the Arber reads 230 ish.
There's one problem - if you use the Auber, the dial MUST be set all the way clockwise (full temp). The stock controller will throttle the Auber if it's anything less.
I've found out that some of the 1200s, that were manufactured early, have a programming error that prevents the autotune from turning off. I believe Auber has a fix for this, but a workaround is manually turning it off, like I said before.
You said you have not figured out how to set a temp yet; what does that mean? Do you mean how to set the Auber program?
I turned the temp all the way up yes Im that smart. Because it came up with auto tune I stopped using it. I took your advise and turned it off and left it on. It was reading the temp probe and even with me having the dial at 250 I never got the box over 234* over a 5 hour span. The arbur was not controling the temp just reading it.
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I'm just trying to help, Longball. I mentioned that about the dial because you said "Almost had it to 250," which told me it was not all the way to 250. No need for anger - we're not employees of SI or Auber, just fellow users trying to help.
You also said:
"It was reading the temp probe and even with me having the dial at 250 I never got the box over 234* over a 5 hour span. The arbur was not controling the temp just reading it."
By that, do you mean that you did not have the smoker plugged into the Auber, but just had the #1 probe in the smoker at full temp? Again, I'm asking these questions because you were not clear in your explanation. If the smoker was plugged into the Auber, there is no way it could have not been controlling the element. Remember, we're not seeing what you are, so you need to give us enough details about your setup so we can get a mental image of what you are doing. Sound reasonable?
If you did not have the smoker plugged into the Auber, do you have another thermometer that would confirm/disprove the reading on the Auber? If you had a reading from another reliable thermometer, you may need to calibrate your probe. Although I've never seen one off more than 2-3°, I guess it's possible that it could be farther off. Just a thought.
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I ran auto tune in my SI#2 tonight. Here are my numbers. Do they seem reasonable?
P=68
I=851
D=212
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Looks reasonable to me, Ravel.
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My wife was starting to wonder if Alzheimers was setting in when she caught me wrapping bricks in foil and putting them in the smoker. LOL!
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Msmith, I'm an hour and a half into my auto tune of my model 4. The temp reading has stayed at the 140 degree program reading the entire time even though it is well past the 1/2 time set. Does your unit perform accurately even though it didn't run the right temps in your auto tune?
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My wife was starting to wonder if Alzheimers was setting in when she caught me wrapping bricks in foil and putting them in the smoker. LOL!
When autotuning, you actually don't want to wrap the bricks in foil. The idea is for them to absorb heat, like meat would, not reflect the heat. No foiling bricks.
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I ran a simulated cook after my auto tune and I guess everything is right with the world.
(https://www.smokinitforums.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi40.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fe204%2Fdave_rce1%2FSmok-it1_zps834c5552.jpg&hash=c4d3731487c5848297bd026a822c886840efd5b7)
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I got my Permanent probe in and am ready to do an autotune. I was thinking about my dummy load. I was going to use some bricks but was thinking why not use a pork shoulder or brisket as that is what I normally cook. It seems it would give the most realistic environment: Cold meat to start vs warm bricks (Hot here in TX).
Thoughts?
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I think that is a good idea. I first did an autotune at my house in the Keys and used hot coral rocks from the garden as my dummy load and got some very dubious results. Repeating the process with soda bottles filled with water and at fridge temperature got me results a lot more in line with what everyone else was getting.
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I got my Permanent probe in and am ready to do an autotune. I was thinking about my dummy load. I was going to use some bricks but was thinking why not use a pork shoulder or brisket as that is what I normally cook. It seems it would give the most realistic environment: Cold meat to start vs warm bricks (Hot here in TX).
Thoughts?
While the auto tune program has various temps and times, it doesn't seem to every get above the first program temp setting, which is 140 if you follow the auto tune instructions. A couple hours later when the auto tune is done, your meat will have barely budged in internal temperature. i.e. you won't make a safe internal temp in the 4 hour recommended time frame. My last auto tune was done with a pan of cold, wet sand. Everything went well and the Auber is performing well on real cooks.
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DON'T do an autotune with meat - you'll regret it! If you want to simulate cold meat, just put your pan of sand, or bricks, in the fridge! But, I really don't think that's enough of a factor to effect the tuning, so long as your bricks aren't hot from the sun!
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Tony, a pitcher of ice and some cold water saves getting in trouble with the Misses. No dummy loads need to go in the frig. ;)
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Tony, a pitcher of ice and some cold water saves getting in trouble with the Misses. No dummy loads need to go in the frig. ;)
Hehe...you're probably right, but there's always the beer fridge! ;)
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Tony, a pitcher of ice and some cold water saves getting in trouble with the Misses. No dummy loads need to go in the frig. ;)
Hehe...you're probably right, but there's always the beer fridge! ;)
Hey, I tried that but found I had to take my beer out of the fridge to make room. (https://www.smokinitforums.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffinaddicts.us%2Fsmf%2Fforums%2FSmileys%2Fpopos%2Fhuh.gif&hash=aacc40585588e2461b958dc645271e6507ca5b0f)
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Thanks for the advice guys. I will go with bricks. How many bricks and which shelves do you recommend?
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I use 3 bricks, Ron, and put them up high, like I would meat.
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Hey Everyone,
Ran the Autotune on my #1 & #3 smokers this morning. When starting the ambient temp. was 74 degrees on my front porch. The #3 finished first and here are the #'s P=97 I-146 D=143. These look kind of low. The #1 is still running and will see what its numbers are.. 12:18 pm just checked and #1 auber is still in p-1, It has been 2 hrs. and not changing steps. Had some errands to run and when I returned the Little Man was finished, here is the pid settings for the #1 P=61 I=362 D=340. Quite a difference from what I have seen for others. I will open up a new post for my next smoke.
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Bill, the numbers are irrelevant, if it holds temp. Let us know how they perform!
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I will Tony, I have a one of my 7# briskets in the fridge soon will inject it, smear with mustard and add some rub. Plan on putting in the #3 around 5. But, will post in the beef section. But, you think those #'s are ok then?
Also took forever to get started, then I changed the switches and temp. started climbing. I felt like a fool at that point. :-[
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I will Tony, I have a one of my 7# briskets in the fridge soon will inject it, smear with mustard and add some rub. Plan on putting in the #3 around 5. But, will post in the beef section. But, you think those #'s are ok then?
Also took forever to get started, then I changed the switches and temp. started climbing. I felt like a fool at that point. :-[
How did you program it, Bill?
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Like it said in your instructions: c01 e01 140 t01 t .5; c02 e02 225 t02 t 2.0; c03 e03 140 t03 t 4.0 the rest c04 thru c06 was zero. Then held set button until lock appeared, entered 166, changed the AT to 1. I used 2 bricks in the #1 and 2 in the #3. Also had a water pan in each and also added foil to the top of the wood boxes and the smoker floors with a hole for the drain hole. I actually think I can do this in my sleep now. ;)
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OK, Bill. I guess you just didn't have your bypass switch set right? Sorry - I was confused.
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So was I and I really am red in the face about that. I was setting on my swing watching the temp. not move. Opened the door and on the #3 can see the tip of the heating element it is solid grey. I felt no heat. Finally I thought flip the switch, sure enough temps started going up. I have a very good excuse one of my close neighbors has a new dog and had it outside all night barking and crying. Needless to say I started the AT's at 7:00 am and only one cup of coffee.
:-[
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Funny, Bill! One time, I started a smoke and forgot to plug the smoker into the Auber! Came out to check about 20 minutes in, and no smoke! What the??? Didn't take long to feel really stupid. :-[
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I know that feeling. Also I have all the modifications completed on #1 & #3. The only thing I wish would have used a dpdt switch toggle switch rather than the rocker switch. I used the dremel to cut thru the name plate and top SS on the #1. But, am finished thank God. Also we have a new member that was a 21 year Marine. And for the life of me cannot remember his handle. But, had a nice talk with him last night and this morning. I believe he has a #3 with an Auber and permanent wall sensor that is not installed yet. He is in upper Washington state.
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I have a #3, it has the probe installed and the bypass has been completed. It has a Aubers WDS 1200GPH. This was a pre-owned unit but only a few moths old. I have done 4 or 5 smokes with it and have been happy enough but decided to run AutoTune today not knowing weather it had ever been done or not.
I set everything up, foil, water pan, two bricks and used the following setting as suggested here.
C01 140 E01 t t01 .5
C02 225 E02 t t02 2
C03 140 E03 t t03 1
C04 0 E04 t t04 0
C05 0 E05 t t05 0
C06 0 E06 t t06 0
Now on the second stage of a 3 stage smoke which is set at 140 it over shoots by 25-30 degrees before coming back to 140. I have ran AT twice and same results both times.
My PID settings are now 80-985-246.
Any thoughts??
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Az, run some actual smokes and see if it holds tight...that will tell you if your numbers are good. Btw, you're pushing the envelope, as far as power is concerned, with the 1200 on a #3. It is recommended only for the model 1 & 2, and the 3 requires the 1800watt model 1500. If you have problems with it overheating, or not working properly, that's probably why.
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Az, run some actual smokes and see if it holds tight...that will tell you if your numbers are good. Btw, you're pushing the envelope, as far as power is concerned, with the 1200 on a #3. It is recommended only for the model 1 & 2, and the 3 requires the 1800watt model 1500. If you have problems with it overheating, or not working properly, that's probably why.
DM...I have a batch of fish in the 3D now..it is and has way overshot then eventually came back down.
I contacted tech guy at Aubers and he assured me no problem unless the unit stayed on constant for like 90 minutes which he doubted would happen with this unit. If that happens then I will consider a different the 1500.
I have, as I said, ran a few smoke with good results and no extreme over shot on temps.
I am considering doing a factory reset which I understand will go back to Bradley settings.
Open for suggestions...as an after thought I did a third AT this morning.
on edit: my fish are done and look good except for the white albumin that several pieces have, (kokanee) when I was set at 140 temp shot way up to near 170 before it ever started back down. I am sort of at a loss.
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There is a thread here where many listed their PID values after an auto tune. Look at some of the #3 results and you can manually set your P, I & D accordingly. I wouldn't like an over shoot that far either.
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http://smokinitforums.com/index.php?topic=1285.0
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There is a thread here where many listed their PID values after an auto tune. Look at some of the #3 results and you can manually set your P, I & D accordingly. I wouldn't like an over shoot that far either.
Thanks Dave, I will look that over. I ran another AT this morning with my own numbers and times and for a load I took 8 oranges that had blown off the tree in our high winds yesterday. That just finished a few minutes ago. I am going to let it cool off and try it again with more oranges as a load. I didn't use any wood so they won't be smoked oranges :)
Have you had your maiden voyage yet?
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There is a thread here where many listed their PID values after an auto tune. Look at some of the #3 results and you can manually set your P, I & D accordingly. I wouldn't like an over shoot that far either.
Thanks Dave, I will look that over. I ran another AT this morning with my own numbers and times and for a load I took 8 oranges that had blown off the tree in our high winds yesterday. That just finished a few minutes ago. I am going to let it cool off and try it again with more oranges as a load. I didn't use any wood so they won't be smoked oranges :)
Have you had your maiden voyage yet?
Good morning..just an update.
I did another auto tune..running a program I use for fish 100 2hrs 140 2 hrs and 175 F 145..I have tried running the cycle above twice and both times I got near identical results. Over shot 100 to 114 and slowly worked back to 100, over shot 140 by 14 and after about 45 min settled at 140...because I had to leave before that cycle finished I shut it down so don't know about the 175.
numbers were P=68 I=600 D=701
Only other thing I might add is that it seems like it takes longer to get to temp from cold start and from one set point to the next than it did before AT...
Kokanee are still delicious..my favorite smoked fish
Thanks for any input.
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I'm a little confused by your autotune comments. When I've done my autotunes the Auber has never left the reading of the first set program before completing the tune. If you are watching all three program sets it's taking way long to complete the tune.
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Have tried several auto tunes without good results, most typical was over shooting by 10-15 degrees. Did a factory reset this morning and all seems to be good so far.
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Glad you are back in a happy place.
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Thanks Dave, I will be anxious to run a smoke through it and see how it does but looks promising.
Happy place for sure though, fished with my wife today and boated 20 nice stripers, she actually got tired of catching fish, I know huh???
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You’re killing me!
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I bought the new Auber with wi fi. No paperwork came with it for set up. I printed off the autotune pdf but it's not the same format. I realize there must be an app so you can connect to the controller but what is it? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!