Smokin-It User Forum!
Auber PID Controllers => Auber PID Tips and Tricks => Topic started by: al_sfbay on June 13, 2014, 01:23:19 PM
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Who has a fixed probe out there? I have a few questions as I am trying to decide to do that. First off where did you place it and how? Secondly do you know how much variation you have in the smoker? I have a #2 and am considering a fixed probe, but would like to know more before making that decision. Thanks in advance.
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Hey Allison, here's some of my posts on it:
http://smokinitforums.com/index.php?topic=1594.0
http://smokinitforums.com/index.php?topic=1595.0
and a little in this one:
http://smokinitforums.com/index.php?topic=1285.0
Spend some time poking around the Auber Tips and Tricks section - lots of "lessons learned" there from those of us who've worked out some of the bugs!
By the way, I LOVE the permanent probe! Once you autotune the Auber, it absolutely eliminates errors you can get from probe placement (removable probe). It also holds temp +/- 1°. Works great!
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thanks Tony, after digging around I am pretty sold on the idea. My only hesitation is getting the buy-in from my husband who will have to do the install for me!
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Fortunately, the install isn't very difficult. The hardest part is putting enough muscle into drilling through the stainless steel! That stuff is hard! Keep making him great Q, and he'll be putty in your hands! 8)
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Tungsten bits will make the job easier. Kind of pricey.
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The biggest tip I can give you is, make sure you center punch a dimple so your drill bit doesn't wander. Just as a side, I ran the wire for the permanent probe alongside the power cord and out the same factory grommet as the power cord. Saved me from drilling another hole.
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The biggest tip I can give you is, make sure you center punch a dimple so your drill bit doesn't wander. Just as a side, I ran the wire for the permanent probe alongside the power cord and out the same factory grommet as the power cord. Saved me from drilling another hole.
Great idea to run the cord out of the same hole as the power cord!
How long is the permanent probe cord though? I am just wondering because of Auber placement if there would be enough cord from the permanent probe to be flexible where the Auber sits.
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The biggest tip I can give you is, make sure you center punch a dimple so your drill bit doesn't wander. Just as a side, I ran the wire for the permanent probe alongside the power cord and out the same factory grommet as the power cord. Saved me from drilling another hole.
Great idea, Gary! Don't know why I didn't think of that! Geez...forest for the trees thing, I guess!
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The biggest tip I can give you is, make sure you center punch a dimple so your drill bit doesn't wander. Just as a side, I ran the wire for the permanent probe alongside the power cord and out the same factory grommet as the power cord. Saved me from drilling another hole.
Great idea to run the cord out of the same hole as the power cord!
How long is the permanent probe cord though? I am just wondering because of Auber placement if there would be enough cord from the permanent probe to be flexible where the Auber sits.
I believe it's 6' long, so this will still be plenty.
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What I did was to remove the old controller and run the probe wire through it.
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Hey Tex - good to see you again! Do you mean the removable probe that comes with the Auber? I know you hang yours with the little wood block. Auber makes a permanent mount that has a nylon base, so you don't get the heat sink effect of the smoker walls. It's a great concept, and in reality is fantastic. Check out the links I put up above. Let us know what you think, as one of our Auber pioneers! ;)
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I have the #2 and went with the permanent probe as per Tony's install post even went with parameters from Tony's auto tune, so simple, I also went out the bottom corner so only drilled the one hole, the whole process took about 1 hour. Everyone who has witnessed this thing in action is impressed, common responses are WOW !!! were can I get this exact setup. Asolutely love using this smoker after 10 years on stick burners and propane have truly found a renewed passion and the forum is the icing on the cake, never looked back!!!!
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That's awesome, Jim! I think you've given the first feedback on the fixed probe (other than me). I'm amazed how accurate it holds temp. Every time I look, it's dead-on set temp, and sometimes a degree off. Crazy stable!
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Credit also goes to these amazing smokers. So easy to use by simply following methods on this forum.
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Absolutely, Tony! Good tools make the work easy! ;)
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I love showing people how stable the auber keeps the temp, 1 or 2 degrees from the set point, makes smoking salmon just plain awesome and the finished product is the best I've ever done. The addition of the fixed probe brought it up to a completly new level, I rarely use my maverick any more. Last weekend I did ribs and a buddy of mine must have stared at the auber for hours, had to keep telling him it won't move trust me LOL NOW he's sold and looking to get the #2. Anybody out that does not have the auber should definetly get one you'll be amazed makes a great smoker almost perfect.
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If your friend buys a smoker make sure he tells Steve you referred him. Steve hooked by buddy up with some Swag when I told SI about the reference.
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All of the success I've had with my SI goes right back to this forum and the awesome group, so happy I stumbled on this site, now I'm trying to turn everyone I know on to SI and this forum, special thanks has to go to Tony for all the time he puts in just answering questions!!!!
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Thanks, Jim! It's no trouble at all when it's this much fun! 8)
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Question - I have the model 3 and have ordered the Auber for it. Don't have yet as it is back ordered. I see that everyone loves to have the fixed probe and I read about upgrading to the fixed probe.
Where would I order this from? I don't see it as an option on the SI web site.
Thanks!
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You can get it directly from Auber.
However, you may want to call Steve. I think I read somewhere here that he was starting to get some fixed probes in to start selling on the SI site. Since your's is backordered, I would guess that he could swap the probe for the fixed probe for you.
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Auber just arrived so I'll go to the Auber site and order the fixed probe. Here is what might be considered a dumb question.......Nobody mounts the Auber directly to the smoker correct? I'm assuming that each time I use the smoker, I'd pull out the3 Auber, hook it up and place it on top of the smoker.
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I was thinking about getting one at some point, but am concerned that it isn't weather proof.
Has anyone built any sort of box for it to keep it from getting wet?
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That's pretty much the way I do it, set the smoker up for cooking then get the Auber out and plug it in, takes just a minute to plug it in and if you have the fixed probe thats already done to, no wires hanging out the top. I don't set mine on top but next to it on the left side, no cords running up the back of the smoker, as far as getting it wet you wouldn't want that it is basically a computer, I keep my smoker on the deck under the over hang on the house so I can still use it if it's not raining to hard. A box of some sort might not be a bad idea for the Auber if you have any concerns about a shower popping up if you use a maverick you could still get temp readings...something to think about.
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Jim's right, the Auber is not weatherproof. It is a 110v electronic computer, so treat accordingly. It does have a sturdy case, but I wouldn't trust it in the snow or rain without an enclosure. I use mine exclusively under a covered porch, so that's my weatherproofing! Fantastic tool, but you wouldn't want to set it out in a rain storm!
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Great info everyone. Can someone with knowledge let me know about adding a power cord from the Auber to the electrical source? As you know the SI comes with a 12 foot cord and it must be designed for such a long cord. Love that so I can maneuver the smoker where I want it on my deck.
Now the question...... if I use the Auber, it has a very short cord and this would dictate keeping the smoker close to an electrical source. Can I add an additional 12 foot cord from the Auber to the electrical source? If you think about it, that would mean 24 feet of cords between what was included with the SI and adding an additional 12' extension from the Auber to the electrical source. I'm concerned that too much cord would have an impact on power to the unit and the characteristics or function of the smoker or Auber.
Thanks for you input.......will wait on this before my auto tune of the Auber/SI.
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The smoker plugs into the back of the Auber so I cut the smoker cord to about 2 ft. now I dont have all that extra cord to bundle up, I use a good quality 15 ft. 14/3 cord from the Auber to the outlet, no need to go to a 12/3 cord unless your going beyond 50 ft.
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Thanks Jim - that helps a lot. I'll cut the original cord down and go get something like you did from the Auber to the outlet.