Smokin-It User Forum!
Smokin-It Smokers => Model 2 & 2D - The Middle Kid => Topic started by: Ken on January 21, 2023, 01:01:55 PM
-
I have a Model 2Wi-Fi. I recently started seeing wild swings in power and uneven internal temperatures. Steve sent me a new air temperature probe but that didn't fix the problem. The settings on the controller seem to be correct. Does anyone have any ideas?
-
What are you identifying as the problem here? The image seems to show the box temperature to be relatively stable. The power output is supposed to vary so that you don't get wild temperature swings. It's possible that some PID tuning would make the box temp variance even smaller, but it doesn't look bad to me.
-
Here is a better image.
-
The first time this happened was during a smoked salmon cook. The smoker was set at 160 and the IT wanted was 140. The IT on the fish dropped from 135 to 125 during the cook.
-
I would visit the instructions for the controller OR visit the Auber site for instructions and trouble shooting. As Larry mentioned, maybe a tune-up would work. The Auber site has quite a bit of info to help in these situations.
-
Steve helped me check the settings and the screen shot that I posted shows they are correct. I'll check the Auber site.
-
Safe to assume that no extension cords are involved? Have you tried an outlet on a different circuit?
-
Good idea. I’ll try that tomorrow.
-
I tried a different receptacle today to see if that was the problem. Everything went well until I got to the one-hour mark.
-
Bummer. I know it's kind of grasping, but did Steve walk you through a factory reset?
-
Since I’ve replaced the probe, Auber is recommending a new control panel.
-
Ugh... if/when my 3DW controller fails I'll just see if Steve will sell me the parts and knowledge to turn it into a #3. I really dislike the auber, anyway.
-
The control panel is not a replaceable part. I had to buy a complete controller. Hopefully that takes care of things.
This was a used smoker so it's not under warrantee. Buyer beware. It was a Gen 2 model and only one month old, but the price was great. The people bought a product out of their comfort range. I was hoping that the new model would be free of problems but not so. It worked perfectly for almost a year. Coming from a Model 1, I was very happy with the digital performance and extra size, once I got used to it. The model 1 works great too. I donated it to one of my sons in laws and he's happy.
-
Hoping the new controller solves the problem.
-
Me too!
-
I replaced the controller as that seemed to be the best option. Unfortunately, that did not work. Every time I turned the unit on, things get worse. The problem doesn't seem to be there when it's just turned on but cold. It is starting sooner now and I'm getting multiple high temperature warnings sent to my phone. The digital relay seems like the next thing to look at. I've sent multiple images to Steve along with correspondence.
-
It's been a number on months now that I've struggled with this unit. The controller, digital relay and the internal temperature probe are all new. I've been working with Smokin-It and Auber and while they are very helpful, I'm still having issues. To me, it seems like it has to be a connection or defective wire problem. I've made some progress. I replaced some of the connectors as the wiring is not sturdy. Today I made sure all the connections at the relay were very tight and got a clean two hour test. After that, things went bad again. This has happened before. The attached images show todays results. I really like the smoker and want it to work again. Does anyone have any ideas?
-
Just a thought. Have you run the smoker with a dummy load like a loaf pan of damp sand? Maybe a brick like divotmaker suggested years ago? I ask because the screen shots don't show either probe in use unless I am missing something. Also, did you check continuity on all wires?
-
All of this started when using the food probe on a long cook. Since it only is causing problems with the IT of the smoker, I've testing empty. Neither Steve or Auber have suggested anything else. The smoker probe was replaced with no change. The same goes for the controller and relay. I wish I could buy new wiring with all the connectors attached. I contacted Steve and that doesn't seem to be available. All the connections have been checked again. I'm going to cook something tomorrow and see what happens.
-
One more test run this morning. Back to Square One. I'm still going to do a short cook tomorrow and hope for the best.
-
Good luck Ken.
-
Hopefully someone will have an idea, even if I didn’t understand it before. I don’t want to rely on my Weber kettle.
-
I'm frustrated and I'm not even the one spending time and money on this. :(
I would think if it's the relay itself it would likely fail open or fail closed, though I suppose it could be acting like a blinker bulb on a strand of xmas lights.
-
I went ahead and did a 2 hour cook today. I smoked a 2-pound petite sirloin. Basic seasoning of salt, pepper and crushed red pepper. 225 with a pecan and oak combo. The results were good, but the controller image was very scary. No alarms went off, but I certainly still have problems somewhere. I'm very perplexed.
-
The eat looks good. I cannot comment on what the program is showing. Back in April 22, you did ribs which came out great. If they were done on the 2 wifi, what has changed - your best guess? You said it all started when using the food probe; was that replaced with a new one? If on your model 1, never mind.
-
These problems started while cooking late last December on the Model 2. I gave the model 1 to a son in law. The meat that I cooked yesterday was just out of frustration. It seems like every time that I try a test or to cook something, the results are all over the place. The consistent part is they seem to start about 30 minutes or so into the cook. After that, It's anybody's guess.
I think I'll put the old controller back in the unit and leave the new relay in. I'm going to try something different to see what happens.
-
I sure hope you get this figured out. I do not pretend to understand all this PID stuff. I understand on and off. What I do is cook only by temp or time. No fiddling around with ramping up annd stepping down etc. When I see smoke coming out, I find something else to do till time is up or the temp has been reached. If all goes well, we eat. If not, Carl's Jr. is just down the road; so far Carls sees very little of me except for their breakfast biscuits. I am sorry you are having problems with the PID. I doubt I would have the patience to fix it and would probably either make it analog or buy a new smoker.
-
Well shit... here I was talking about the relay and you already replaced that. Sorry...
Any chance there is a wire running someplace that gets pinched when the unit heats up and expansion occurs?
-
The wiring looked fine last time I checked. That will be part of the swapping of controllers. What I can't tell is if one of the wires is compromised mid-stream. I would buy new wires, but they aren't for sale. I'd like to get new ones complete with new connectors.
-
If you have a multi-meter, check the wires for continuity after disconnecting them at each end. That should take care of any possible compromise.
-
Thanks. I don't have one, but it sounds like I should. That would eliminate a lot of trial and error.
-
They are handy to have for a lot of 'around the house' problems/repairs.
-
I'm still kind of brain-storming here and working with the idea that when the unit gets hot for a period of time that there is expansion/movement involved and that is what triggers the issue. Unfortunately, I've never taken mine apart, so I have no idea what's inside. I do know there is a big heat-sink on the back of mine. Have you dug in enough to know what that attaches to? I'm assuming it's important or it wouldn't exist. If there is some way that heat sink separates from whatever it's cooling then that might cause it to be flaky. One could run a fan across the heatsink to help it cool more efficiently to see if that makes any difference.
Have you ever noticed that the problem is better or worse based on the ambient outside temperature?
-
The heat sink takes the heat from the solid state relay (SSR). I have not operated on mine so cannot help there. However, several folks did convert their analog smokers to PID and if you use the search function, you will find some photos of the smoker opened up and the wire set up. Keep in mind those are analog. I will look tonight when I get home from work. Just a guess but there may be a loose connection on the ssr or maybe the ssr is shot. Hard to tell. Here is a link describing the ssr:
https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=10&chapter=0
-
I just ordered a multi meter and wiring pliers.
Here are some images of the wiring and basic components, controller and relay. It's so straight forward that it just adds to the mystery.
-
Ken - Some of this will not apply to your situation. However, dig into the links - lots of photos of wiring inside the smokers from the days of folks hard wiring an auber into their analog.
https://www.smokinitforums.com/index.php?topic=1287.0
https://www.smokinitforums.com/index.php?topic=1287.0
And here some SSR testing directions:
https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2019/01/solid-state-relay-types-of-ssr-relays.html
-
When I get the new multimeter and the weather breaks I’ll jump back into this. I have an outdoor smoker so dry weather is important.
-
After 4 months I seem to have finally found the problem. I bought a multimeter after a suggestion from Old Sarge on the forum. While testing the second wire, another of the connectors just fell off. This is the third one that just fell off seemingly for no reason. After replacing it, I performed three almost identical two-hour tests just like the attached screen shot. I don't know if it just my bad luck with this unit or not, but the wiring seems a bit flimsy. Just my thoughts for future upgrades and repairs.
-
I hope this solved your problem.
-
After four months, me too.
-
I know the controller wires are small, probably 20 to 24 gauge. And the copper strands fragile. The crimping of the connectors may have damaged the strands to the point of poor transmission as well as breakage. Stripping the insulation back and soldering the wire to the connectors would be stronger. Not now but in the future should the need arise.
-
It looks like the wires may be aluminum, not copper for sure. Maybe an upgrade in the quality should be considered. Replacement wiring of the same would be nice. It's an easy install. It's the wires from the controller to the relay that are light weight. Maybe a new set should be sent with each controller, relay or free with anyone having problems.
-
Let Steve know what you found and make the suggestion. Can't hurt!
-
He and Auber both know what happened to me. For now I’m very happy that I can smoke again.
-
I hope Steve is throwing some bonus goodies your way as it seems you've really done them a service.
The idea that aluminum wiring would be used is obscene. I would take my unit apart to see what it has except for fear that then it might not work afterwards.
Very glad to hear you have it figured out and appreciate that you shared the fix and took us on the journey with you.
-
Thanks. It was a journey. Four months is a long time but I have an outdoor smoker. Nasty weather, frustration and sometimes a bit lazy added to the time frame.
-
Three steps forward and one step back. This was a 4.5-hour smoke. The screenshots show the first and last two hours. I thought this thing was fixed but I still have issues. The three perfect 2-hour tests gave me confidence. At least I made it through the cook. More work to do.
-
Sorry to see you are still having a problem. Since I don't use wifi or the phone, I can't help with what the screen is showing. But it looks like things were going well: steady climb and stable. So what went wrong in the middle? Is it possible that at some point you hit a stall and maybe the temps dropped? What were you smoking?
-
The screen shot should look like the shot that I posted on 4-27.
-
Please compare what you are getting with the screen shots at the link. Busy looking for more info for you.
https://www.smokinitforums.com/index.php?topic=8639.msg74276#msg74276
https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_28&products_id=702
-
The screenshot on the link is much like some that I have seen. My 4-27 screenshot is the way it should look. Nice and even. I'm certain that my problem is with the connectors to the aluminum wiring between the controller and relay. I'm going to revisit all of them tomorrow.
-
Is it time to just rewire it all with copper?
-
Maybe
-
After giving it a break to settle the frustration, I turned it on today just to see what happened. Nothing surprises me anymore. I’ll just have to open it up and start over.
-
The controller screen seems to have healed itself. Back to checking all the connections again.
-
I do hope you get this all figured out.
-
Me too. I checked connections today and another of the originals that seemed solid just fell apart. I think this may be the only one left that I haven’t replaced. Maybe they weren’t crimped tight enough originally. Anyway I had a clean two hour test run today. Smoked chicken tomorrow will tell the truth.
-
Fingers crossed!
-
At this point I'm going to call it good and keep smokin. The glitzes in the power output doesn't seem to affect the temperature enough to make any difference. Replacing some connectors and crimping the existing ones seems to have made the most difference. I didn't replace any wires so who knows if that would achieve perfection or not.
-
SMOKE ON FRIEND!
-
I thought I would provide an update. At this point I have no problems with the controller. All the problems seem to have been with the wiring and connections. Attached is a screenshot of a short cook yesterday. I can’t ask for anything better.
-
Sweet!